How ‘General Hospital’ Wrote Off Kirsten Storms’ Maxie Jones
What To Know
- The July 23 episode of General Hospital featured a major development for Maxie Jones.
- Kirsten Storms has played the role of Maxie for over 20 years.
- Storms moved to Nashville to be closer to her daughter.
Maxie Jones is starting a new chapter Down Under. During the July 23 episode of General Hospital, the ABC soap revealed what Maxie will be up to off-screen.
Storms is not currently part of the active General Hospital cast, according to a source close to the show. As for how the soap is writing off Maxie for the time being, Cody (Josh Kelly) tells Molly (Kristen Vaganos) that Maxie, Spinelli (Bradford Anderson), and the kids are moving to Australia. Maxie also leaves her Deception shares to Michael (Rory Gibson), just as Lucy (Lynn Herring) and Tracy (Jane Elliot) were both vying for them.
Maxie returned to Port Charles earlier this year when the beloved character woke up from a coma. The character hadn’t been seen on-screen in several months as Storms relocated to Nashville with her daughter, Harper Rose, whom she shares with ex-husband Brandon Barash.
Over the past several years, Storms has been dealing with health and legal issues. She had to undergo a craniotomy in 2021 and learned in 2025 she had an aneurysm on the right side of her brain. In April 2026, Barash obtained an emergency restraining order against Storms, which he had filed in December 2025.
In June 2026, Storms gave an update on her future with GH amid what’s been happening off-screen. “Given what’s been going on, I can’t say I will feel comfortable heading back to Los Angeles and returning to work. This has been an eye opening experience about the downside of my profession. My daughter is my entire life, she is (and always will be) my first priority,” she wrote.
A month later, Storms debuted her new brown hair and hinted at her future outside of Hollywood. “Despite everything that’s been going on in my life right now (…and I will be honest, it’s more than upsetting) – I still feel that the move to Tennessee was the best choice for me,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I spent years working nonstop and feeling envious of anyone who lived in ‘the real world,’” she admitted. “I’m proud of myself for handling the majority of that on my own…but that life became the ONLY thing I knew how to do. Or thought I was capable of.”
With Maxie only heading to Australia, there’s always the possibility of Storms returning to the role down the road.
General Hospital, Weekdays, ABC
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C
James and Spinelli are two of my favorite characters..They can't leave!!
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G
I am sad that Spinellinand the kids are leaving. Even though I am glad James and Cody made up, I thought the whole thing was kind of lame the way it happened.
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F
I hate that Spinelli will not be on the show anymore. I understand about Kristen. I wish GH had found another way regarding Maxi and family.
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G
Why not recast???? I love James and Spinelli.
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F
Agree
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B
There’s no reason why they can’t recast Maxi. They’re being selfish getting rid of the entire family one fell swoop!!
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A
They should recast Maxie for now bring back the last lulu
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F
Yes
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C
I hope they bring Spinelli and James back, if they want to come back. I miss all of them including Maxie. I'm glad they didn't write Maxie out forever. She's been great on the show.
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C
By getting rid of one character...GH ended up getting rid of an entire family...I totally agree with what the fans are saying...they could have recast maxie...and kept Spinelli and James and the family on GH...I think this decision will upset a ton of GH fans
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I
It’s very upsetting that Kirsten has to go through this. Just because she needs to work on her mental health, doesn’t mean there is something wrong with her. She is going through a lot. Although I have to say, I do hope she can come back to GH when she is ready.
And Spinelli needs to make a showing! If he was on GH when Jason was taken by the WSB, Spinelli would had figured out where he was held.
The Writers are leaving good actors out of GH cast.
I wish Kristen Storms the very best.
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M
she will be missed
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M
Stupid decision by the GH powers. Spinelli and James should stay on the show! Maxie could have been recast or fallen back into s coma. James dynamic with Cody needs to stick around and he is a fine young actor. And Stone Cold returning but no Spinelli to have as a sidekick? Stupid, shortsighted decision. Did they even stop to think what the fans want, because without us where are they?
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E
Well, nevertheless, I wish everyone involved the best. I'm quite sure that the other actors made this decision in support of Maxie (Storms). Lets (as fans) support their decision, shall we? There's got to be a good reason why the writers didn't or haven't yet recast the other family member's roles/or Maxie's character or had Spinelli & James on-screen.
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B
This is without a doubt the most dumbest thing GH has done in decades except to kill off Kelly Monaco. Why take off an entire family and move them an entire continent away? It solves nothing. Leaving a gigantic whole in the GH family. James and Maxie are beloved characters and have been for years to GH fans especially Maxie. Even with all her issues we’ve stuck with her. I’m certain she wouldn’t mind a recast for the time being or longer if she can’t return. She’s been recast before many times! So why not just bite the bullet get it done and leave the rest of the family in tact. You aren’t just tearing her family apart you’re tearing up James relationship with Cody his grandparents and everyone else he’s gotten close to especially the audience. Spinelli is always vital for solving crimes involving internet etc. getting into things no one seems else seems to be able to do. GH writers and Frank you have screwed royally this time! Fix it before it’s too late!!
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