‘General Hospital’ Star Chris McKenna Responds to Rumors He’s Leaving & Reacts to Erika Slezak Joining
Chris McKenna took over the role of General Hospital’s Jack Brennan from Charles Mesure back in February and, despite recent speculation about him leaving, the actor has confirmed he will be sticking around Port Charles for the foreseeable future.
McKenna addressed rumors that spread on social media about him exiting the daytime drama while at the General Hospital Fan Club Weekend this past weekend. He revealed to fans that he’d been promoted to contract status on the long-running soap.
“It’s my first chance since I was a preteen to spend time with a role,” he continued. “At this age, with much more experience under my belt, I’m excited to create a character I can be proud of and love — and hopefully people come to love, even if you love to hate him!”
Then, speakimg with Women’s World this week, McKenna opened up about his decision to stay with the daytime soap, explaining, “It’s no longer a two-dimensional character or a sexy leading man. This is a complex human I get to play—and I get to plumb all the depths, now that I’m going to be sticking around.”
McKenna, who rose to fame playing Joey Buchanan on another ABC daytime soap, One Life to Live, from 1990 to 1993, said he’s excited to dive deeper into his character.
“More and more is slowly getting revealed about this guy, which has been cool to read, we’re starting to see different sides of him and starting to see cracks in his armor,” he explained. “He’s a guy who can’t let his heart get in the way, and he’s fallen in love against his will — perhaps at risk to his career and his health.”
One thing the Touched by an Angel alum is looking forward to is reuniting with former TV mom Erika Slezak, who will be joining General Hospital later this year. Slezak previously starred in One Life to Live as Victoria Lord, the mother of McKenna’s Joey.
“I’m not just hoping to work with her — I’m gonna attack Frank [Valentini, executive producer]f he doesn’t put me in at least one scene,” McKenna joked, adding, “I can’t wait to see her in the hallway. It’s going to be hard for me not to cry. It’ll be special to finally see her again, and I just want to say one word with her on camera. Let me ask her where the bathroom is. Anything!”
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I love Chris McKenna as Jack! What if Erica Slezak comes to GH as Jack's (Chris McKenna's) mother?
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Monica's sister maybe she should play new Monica. She's so wonderful actress.I know that she can do it.
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The note that Martin found referred to long lost sister
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First off I like him I like the party plays I just like him. Second when he was Joey I'm One Life to Live didn't he have an affair with that old Dorian Lord
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Leslie didn’t want her character off Monica killed off. Please let Erica be the new Monica. I can just imagine the h*ll she and Tracy can unleash in pc
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I think Erika Skezak is going to be Monica’s sister. They might be finally ready to announce Monica’s death and as Monica’s sister she will be sparing with Tracy for rights to the Quartermaine mansion!!!
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I like McKenna, but there was a much stronger chemistry between Carly and Mesure’s Jack. He is sexy-on-a-stick hot(Mesure), and those EYES!!! His evil v hot and sexy was sooo titillating! I wish McKenna well, though! Loved his “Joey” Buchanan on OLTL, and am excited to see him reunited with Slezak! It all comes full circle on ABC Daytime! Such exciting times! And, OF COURSE, last but certainly not LEAST, Britt and Leisl are back, adding another thrilling dimension, hopefully reuniting Britt and Jason!!!
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I was hesitant at first to see Chris take over the role of Brennan, but I love him, he's perfect for it. And I think he's great with Carly, too. I'd like to see there be some history between him and the role Erika Slezak takes on when she joins the show. Can't wait!
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I agree she's one of the best actresses I have ever seen on daytime tv. I would also hope after this many years and no dominant, daily, visual part they would not make her a new Monica. I don't think they would. She was there almost 50 years.(RESPECT to the writers and rest in peace to Leslie).
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Cannot wait to see Erika!
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I like him. Didn't think I would. But also if Sonny is thinking of retirement - we got a have a good bad guy to fill sonnys void. Cmon with erika- we know she's Helena - I think. Xo
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I think she'll be related to Monica. Maybe she'll inherit the Q mansion. It was Monica's... Alan gave it to her. 😊
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Helena would be about 100 now. We do need a good female villain on GH. It makes more sense that she would inherit the Q mansion and be the positive force that Monica was. She and Tracy could go after each other.
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The children inherit it before, and siblings,cousins etc. That would be slapping Jason and Michael in the face. That's her son and her grandson. Monica hasn't disowned them only Drew. And she didn't adopt him only Jason. This is Monica's house not the Q families or Monica Bard, Baldwin, Webber families. If she decides to leave something to Ned, Brooklyn, Tracy,Dillon & Olivia then okay. But the mansion goes to her son and grandchildren.
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I like Chris McKenna as well. I've never watched the other soaps he was involved with but I did see him on one episode of Lucifer and really liked him there even though he was thought to be a bad really wasn't . He's been framed. He was a good guy. So I am glad he's sticking around
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Erika is coming in as Monica's long-lost sister.
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That was Nathan Fillion's Joey Buchanan who had the affair with Dorian.
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I want her to be Helena so bad but she's not going to be just cause gh has new writers and really don't know what to write anymore so they're just throwing anything out there hoping it flies lol
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I just thought of something. If we're going with OLTL alumni, how about Robin Strausser (sp?) comes in as Helena if Constance Towers doesn't? Ex-Dorian would be a terrific Helena.
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I want her to be Jason's mother
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I miss brennans accent, it made him more mysterious and more of a spy
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