Erika Slezak Reveals She’s Not Playing ‘OLTL’s Viki on ‘General Hospital’

Erin Maxwell
19 Comments
Erika Slezak in The Story of Soaps
ABC

As Erika Slezak prepares to make her Port Charles debut this fall on General Hospital, longtime One Life to Live fans may be surprised to learn that the Daytime Emmy-winning actress won’t be reprising her iconic role as Victoria Lord, or bringing any of that character’s baggage with her.

According to an announcement on her official website, the veteran soap star will appear on the ABC daytime drama in a short-term role, playing a brand-new character. Her episodes are scheduled to begin taping in early September.

“At this time, Erika does not know which character she will be playing or when her scenes will air, but is excited to be working again with Executive Producer Frank Valentini and the cast of GH!,” a rep for the actress stated on her site.

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Often regarded as one of the most complex and layered female character performances in television history, Erika Slezak portrayed Victoria “Viki” Lord on One Life to Live for over 40 years during its run on ABC. During her time on the series, Slezak won six Daytime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of the Lord family matriarch.

First introduced in 1968, Viki evolved from a young heiress into the editor-in-chief of the town’s newspaper, The Banner, and the powerful head of both the Lord and Buchanan clans. She is best remembered for her groundbreaking storyline involving Dissociative Identity Disorder, which her character developed due to childhood trauma, as well as her many, many marriages. She was also the mother to several popular characters on the show, Jessica Buchanan (Bree Williamson) and Natalie Buchanan (Melissa Archer).

The show aired its final broadcast on January 13, 2012, though it enjoyed a brief resurrection as a web series on Hulu and iTunes from April to August 2013.

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  1. B

    BlueHelmet

    I LOVE Erika Slezak! Definitely will tune it. GH needs to overhaul its bloated cast size, however. Too many characters being underutilized. Trim, trim, trim. Laser focus the storytelling.

    11 2

  2. C

    CyanFish

    Helena Cassadine and Britts boss

    6

  3. P

    PurpleHammer

    I’m looking forward Erica coming back

    I watch GH also used to watch OLT

    👍👍💯💯

    4 1

    1. B

      BluePaw

      That would be awesome to have Erica Cane show up in PC! Have her go at it with Lucy!

      1

  4. G

    GoldRing

    I think she should play Monica. GH could use some refreshing. This would be a good start.

    13 11

    1. G

      GoldPizza

      No that wouldn't be the thing to do recast Monica they haven't recast Bobby so don't bother! Some that are not replaceable

      16 1

      1. B

        BluePaw

        No way! Totally disrespectful to a legacy character, passed away or not, but especially passed away!

        4

    2. P

      PurpleMustache

      I could see if Leslie Charleston were still alive, and out on sick leave. Replacing a legacy character with another actress is wrong

      3 1

      1. B

        BlueFlower

        I agree do not have her play Monica Leslie is dead just kill her off. Make Tracy the head of the Quartermaines

        3

    3. C

      CyanBus

      Apparently, she’s playing Monica’s sister to help navigate an exit for Leslie Charleston.

      2

  5. R

    Rose

    I THINK SHE IS COMING IN AS JACK BRENNAN 'S MOTHER

    1

  6. R

    RedRocket

    Remember, she never knew she was auditioning for the recast of Vicki until after she got the part. Just sayin…

    1

  7. O

    OliveSailboat

    I bet she’s the new Monica , they haven’t even mentioned she’s passed yet .

    3 7

    1. C

      CyanPumpkin

      she’s no going to play Monica. They’ve already said that it’s only shirt term role. They didn’t recast Bobbie or Epiphany and they wouldn’t replace er

      3

    2. C

      CyanStrawberry

      How much you wanna bet

      1 1

  8. B

    BlueUmbrella

    As Monica

    6 11

    1. R

      RedToast

      Don't think they would dishonor LC by recasting the part. More likely an unknown relative that shows up in the story that says goodbye to Monica.

      11 1

      1. O

        OliveUmbrella

        There is a rumor that she will be playing Monica Quartermaines sister. This would make sense as I assume Monica will die in the near future and the timing of Erika joining the cast makes me think the rumor may have merit.

        3

        1. O

          OlivePlanet

          Since the role hasn't even been revealed to Erika yet and she doesn't start filming for a few more weeks, I'd say those rumors are unlikely but not impossible.

          1