Meet ‘General Hospital’s New Avery: Ayla Bullington on Playing Sonny & Ava’s Daughter

Ayla Bullington is the newest addition to the General Hospital canvas, stepping into the role of Avery Jerome-Corinthos, the daughter of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Ava Jerome (Maura West), on Monday, November 9. 

The Franklin, Tennessee, native’s road to Port Charles began in August, when she auditioned for the 63-year-old soap. “I did my self-tape and just let it go,” Bullington begins. “And then I did an in-person callback, and that was really fun. I got to fly out to L.A. for the first time, and it was super great, and then I was like, ‘Whatever happens, happens.’ And then one day my mom picked me up from school, and when I got in the car, she was like, ‘Hey, turn your phone on.’ I thought that was kind of weird because she never tells me to turn my phone on. And then I got a call and found out I booked the role.”  

Her first day on set was memorable for another reason. “It was really exciting because they were doing a photoshoot that day, which I found out they only do once a year, and it’s a big thing,” she reports. “But I quickly learned that it is a lot of work. They go through a lot in a day, but I have already learned so much. I’m already quicker at learning lines than a couple of months ago.” 

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She is still discovering the different facets of her new alter ego. “I don’t fully know her yet, but I think that Avery is going through a lot at her young age,” Bullington observes. “She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”

Though she was unfamiliar with the soap, Bullington soon realized she had landed an impressive pair of on-screen parents. “I’ve done a bunch of research, and I quickly learned that they are incredible, and they are big names in the soap opera industry,” she says. “And I was like, ‘Well, this is crazy. I get to play their daughter. I mean, who could ever imagine that?’ I remember going on set and seeing how they worked and being like, ‘They are so talented and so good at what they do.’” 

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Benard and West have also helped Bullington find her footing. “Maurice taught me how on soap operas, they do very dramatic looks at the end, so he taught me how to stay in the moment and have eye contact,” she shares. “I think he really taught me how to be a soap opera actor. And Maura is so sweet. She has taught me just try your best and that it’s OK to mess up if you do. If we have to restart because I did something wrong, I always kind of beat myself down for it, but I feel like she’s taught me that, ‘Hey, it’s OK to get something wrong. You’re just learning.’ So, they’re all very supportive.” 

Benard is equally complimentary of his young costar. “I like her, I think she’s sweet, and I think she’s good,” he tells TV Insider. “We have a story coming up that could be very, very important.” 

Bullington was quickly thrown into the deep end right away, tackling intense scenes with Benard and Eden McCoy [Josslyn Jacks], after Avery overhears a fight between Josslyn and Sonny. “It was something I have never done before,” she says. “I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’” 

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McCoy’s ability to switch gears made a big impression on the newcomer. “She’s incredible,” Bullington raves. “I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’ I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.” 

Since joining the show, Bullington has had the chance to stretch herself with a variety of material. “I have gotten to play a bunch of different types of scenes,” she says. “Even though I’m only a month in, I feel like I’ve gotten to scream, to cry, to be happy. I’ve gotten to do some action stuff, so I feel like I am trying every possible genre. It’s very crazy, but I love it so much. I will never get bored.”  

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She’s also building friendships with the other young members of the cast. “I’ve gotten to know Kayden [Brenna Tokarski], who plays Scout [Cain],” she relays. “She’s so nice. I’ve gotten to know Asher [Antonyzyn], who plays Danny [Morgan], and he’s so kind. They’re just teaching me how all of this works. It’s been fun.” 

As her debut episode hits the air, Bullington enthuses, “I am so excited. I don’t even think it’s really hit me yet. I think as soon as I see myself on TV, I will be like, ‘Wow. What is my life?’”  

Looking ahead, Bullington hopes to make the most of her time in Port Charles. “I just want to get better as an actor,” she says. “I’m still processing it. There is just so much excitement because I truly never thought something like this would happen to me. It’s so crazy, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.” 

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