Will Tracy's revenge plans be successful? Josh Swickard Teases Chase and Brook Lynns Future on GH. Drew, played by Cameron Mathison,and Curtis, played by Donnell Turner, use a book on Greek mythologyto find a map with a Virgo marking on it andconnect itto the Greek goddess Demeter. Love GH? What was it like when the show became so huge in the early 80s? And fans arent the only ones happy to have the daytime legend back on GH. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Plus, Laura is mayor shes not just going to abandon her job like that! Laura is known as one of Port Charles' most iconic residents and battled the Cassadines to become the city's new mayor, all while coping with her marriage to Luke Spencer and triumphing over allegations of murder. Next week, a body turns up, and its likely Victor. I mean, because what we lived through before the#MeToomovement, and much further back, is the polar opposite of whats going on right now. And just in time, too, because there is a lot of drama shes missed during her absence! B&B SPOILER ALERT! In 2015, Francis returned for a storyline to facilitate Tony Geary's retirement from soaps, but she ended up sticking around and signing a long-term contract with the ABC soap. Currently, the insane villain is trying to wipe out 80% of humanity with his deadly pathogen. Laura has been away from Port Charles for a while, but that does not mean she is out of the loop, headwriters Chris Van Etten and Dan OConnor previewed to Soap Opera Digest. I never knew what those two would say! Yeah, she just beams whenever you see her. And Avery Kristen Pohl (Esme) called her super welcoming and amazing to learn from, as well.. I think that the #MeToo movement helped significantly, thank God. Benard: Yeah. We took up biking this summer, Francis reported of how she and husband Jonathan Frakes got around Maine during her break. LAST WEEK ON GH: Michael and Willow were married. The character has left Port Charles to handle a family emergency. : Jonathan Frakes from Star Trek and Genie Francis From General Hospital Move to Woodland Hills", "2021 Daytime Emmy Awards: Talk Show Host and Lead Actress Nominees Revealed (Exclusive)", "The Soaps' New Teenage Temptresses Boost Ratings and Help Lure A Younger Audience", Genie Francis to Guest Star in Web Series, The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Genie_Francis&oldid=1150935402, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series winners, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 197784, 19932002, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015, Contract role: April 13, 1987, to June 21, 1989, Contract role: June 27, 1990, to July 16, 1992, Recurring role: October 31, 1991, to December 5, 1991. ", 2023 DAYTIME EMMYS: Nominations revealed for 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, Emma Samms worried her last GH stint was "almost too good," considering stepping away. Fans were shocked when the actress was if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'soapcentral_com-leader-1','ezslot_21',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-soapcentral_com-leader-1-0');dropped to recurring status in 2018, a career blow that Francis later revealed gave her serious depression. [10] In June 2006, she began negotiating with the casting directors on the show to return to the role of Laura Spencer for a limited run through November. I love what they did. Would you like to wish Genie Francis a happy 45th anniversary as GH's Laura? She was nominated earlier this year for a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress category and previously took home the gold in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category in 2007. In a 2018 interview, the actress revealed the secrets of her long-lasting marriage. Fortunately, as she explains to TV Insider, her break will be a short one. I mean, obviously people have come back from much worse deaths! Some of the other major storylines that have brought Francis back to the canvas include the supposed (but later found to be untrue) death of Lucky; a 2001 reunion with Scotty following Luke's affair with Felicia; Laura suffering nervous breakdowns and being committed after she was led to believe she had killed Rick in the mid-2000s (which landed her the 2007 Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category); and a 2013 Ice Princess redo involving Laura's daughter, Lulu. Genie Francis' husband, Jonathan Frakes, is a renowned actor/director. Finola Hughes Teases Her Exciting New Project! Russian forces have been trying for 10 months to punch their way into the . After meeting again in 1984 during the filming of the miniseries North and South, Francis and Frakes began dating in 1985. General Hospital: Ryan & Heather Unhinged Will They Steal Esmes Baby & Run off with Grandkid? You dont get that anywhere. It reminds you of old times and then theyll start talking about their families. Francis took over the role of GH's Laura Webber in 1977 and immediately rose to iconic status as part of the ABC soap's pairing of Laura with Anthony Geary's Luke Spencer. Shriner: I have a story for that, with Genie. GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers: Michael and Willows Wedding Explodes! #GH Christmas preview pic.twitter.com/vUOqPt5xBp, Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. She then returned to General Hospital in 1993. Hard to believe. Youre taking them back to an era that suddenly they remember. Once again, her fans came through in their numbers with a huge social media outcry that led producers to change their minds and offer the actress a more involved role. Genie, Luke was killed off last year. She booked a few non-soap gigs, including the series Bare Essence, North & South, and Murder, She Wrote, but she eventually found herself pulled back to soaps with roles like Days of our Lives' Diana Colville, All My Children's Ceara Connor, and, of course, GH's Laura. General Hospital is pulling out all the stops for its November Sweeps storylines, and one of the major reveals is . Welcome back! Tracy returned to Port Charles. Francis was also offered the lead role for the movie Splash but turned it down because she thought the script was silly. Ive had to figure out how to maneuver that. You feel like the#MeToomovement really helped behind the scenes and onscreen? All of you are such a huge part of the history of pop culture. Also, Ethan Lovett (James Ryan) is out and headed to Australia. I guess I believe it now. Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. B&B RECAPS: What you missed the Week of April 24, 2023, THE SCOOP! Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Making her the centerpiece of the show's teen scene drew in scores of younger viewers, and as Laura's popularity grew, so did her romantic storyline with Scotty Baldwin (Kin Shriner). Were not focusing on the history, he says. [citation needed], In 2004, Francis appeared in Teacher's Pet[9] and Thunderbirds. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Francis debuted on GH back in 1977 when she took over the role of Laura Webber from Stacey Baldwin, and became a soap star as Lauras romances with Scotty and Luke became popular supercouples. And then I played that for the year, and thenSonnys father dies ofAlzheimersand my dad dies ofAlzheimers at the same time that Im doing this story. How has the audience changed over the years? Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. Soap veteran, Genie Francis is celebrating a milestone today. Genie Francis returned to General Hospital in 2022 to continue portraying the role of Laura Spencer. Francis: And it used to be all about the males. Likely, she has also appeared on All My Children and The Young and the Restless. It makes total sense.". But it is who I am, and youve just got to play it as real as you can. Following a run on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS from 2011-12, she once again reprised the role of Laura in 2013, though only for a brief time. Sheila receives yet another unexpected visitor, THIS WEEK: Lil Nas X makes acting debut on The Bold and the Beautiful, THIS WEEK: The Bold and the Beautiful is bringing back R.J. Forrester, B&B INTERVIEW: Diamond White dishes on becoming Marvel's latest superhero and what's next for Paris Buckingham, Y&R INTERVIEW: Courtney Hope weighs in on Sally's baby daddy drama, Sean Kanan's Studio City scores 13 Indie Series Award nominations, Where is B&B's Flo Fulton? But you know, theres something to say about if you really believe in something, it takes a lot of guts to do it, whether I think its right or wrong. B&B SPOILER ALERT! The TV star gained some excess weight as a result of menopause and having to deal with the stress of her two children leaving the house. Perhaps, this ties into Helena Cassadines (Constance Towers) comeback. Shawn shot Bo, who lapsed into a coma. Benard: He just works out too much. GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers: Michael and Willows Wedding Explodes! Sonnys father gets Alzheimers, and my dad getsAlzheimers. I am truly blessed. Hes too big! Luke and Laura's wedding, which aired on November 16 and November 17, 1981, drew in 30 million Americans and was featured on the covers of major magazines like if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'soapcentral_com-box-4','ezslot_4',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-soapcentral_com-box-4-0');Newsweek and People. This means that Francis will soon be flying back to Los Angeles and the GH studio to bring Laura home to Port Charles. Daniel and Lily had sex. In 2012, she again reprised her role as Peyton MacGruder in the Hallmark Channel movie Notes from the Heart Healer. General Hospital casting updates also promise Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy) is on his way out soon. You can check out Pennacchios report in the video clip below, and be sure to stay tuned to GH to watch Francis and Knight make their return to the soap and see what drama ensues! Shriner: Maurice was the head of the fucking mob. Shawn shot Bo, who lapsed into a coma. Of course, shes presumed dead, but evil never dies on GH, and she might still be alive. Remember in the summer of 2021 when Laura and Martin went into witness protection to hide from Cyrus? Perhaps, this ties into Helena Cassadine's (Constance Towers) comeback. People come up and say, You know, Ive been watching you for 40 years, and you think, Holy shit. Its a break in their day, the ones who are watching in the daytime. Happy Anniversary, Genie!". Francis: I know that Gloria did say to my father right after she took on the show, I want to go after the teenage audience, and I want to use your daughter to do it. It just moves me because I was so alone. What are your thoughts on Bill trying to win Katie back? The actress has come and gone many times over the years, but she has remained a Port Charles staple, with Laura being chosen as the focus of GH's recent 15,000th episode. The momentous event cemented Luke and Laura as the most famous supercouple in soap operas. So make sure you keep watching GH to see what Victor gets up to while Lauras away, and keep checking back here at SoapsInDepth.com for updates on when Francis will be returning to the show! Fans were upset when she left back in August, but now Genie Francis (Laura) is returning to GENERAL HOSPITAL just in time for the holidays! Fans were upset when she left back in August, but now Genie Francis (Laura) is returning to GENERAL HOSPITAL just in time for the holidays! She battled with her weight for some time, even having to be placed on a diet by show producers. As she travels back to Port Charles with Felicia, played by Kristna Wagner,she promises to make Victor pay for what he did, but Felicia is worriedthat these plans might putthem in more trouble. Here's what you need to know. And Tony? On her 45th anniversary at General Hospital, Genie Francis still remains at the heart of Port Charles as Laura. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Youve gotta admit, one of the nicest human beings whos ever been with us. GHs Nicholas Chavez Reacts to His Daytime Emmy Nomination. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Genie Francis began her journey in the smash-hit series "General Hospital" as a teenager in 1977, playing the role of Laura Spencer. Right from the start, Genie captivated fans of the ABC daytime drama with her beauty, talent, and energy. [citation needed]. Use left arrow key to move back to the parent list. Last year, for example, the show's writers had Laura and Martin (Michael E. Knight) briefly go into the Witness Protection Program to accommodate Francis' summer vacation. Frank saved our jobs twice. Benard: Look, these two guys who left, Steve and Ingo, theyre my friends. It was1986, I think it was a Policemans Ball. Coming up on GH, fan-fave baddie Heather Webber (Alley Mills) is back. And then they get embarrassed: Like, I dont know why Im crying! And Im like, Its OK to cry.. We have a beginning, a middle and an end. I think that Maurice is right, that it is like a family member if youve been coming in the living room for that many years. The couple whose adult children have since moved out, recently paid the full asking price of $2.8 million on a Woodland Hills Mansion, as they seek to enjoy more time together. That was the year that General Hospital really went supercharged. Francis: Personally, I think its comfort and company for a lot of people. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. Genie is an American actress and she is well known for her portrayal of Laura Spencer on the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital. The wholeIce Princess drama started last year with the death of Luke, played by Tony Geary, and Tracy, played by Jane Elliot,still has revenge plans against Victor. Francis began acting in the two part episode titled "Jury Duty" on the television series Family. The store closed in the fall of 2012. Olivia, played by Lisa LoCicero,and Brook Lynn, played by Amanda Setton,are surprised to see everything come together so quickly. Use right arrow key to move into submenus. Christmas" she told entertainment reporter George Pennacchio in a special ABC7 Los Angeles report from the . About The Actor: Learn more about Genie Francis. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. But she stated she didn't want to play a wounded dove like Laura anymore and wanted to play stronger characters. In the 70s, Idgone to Fort Lauderdale, and Genie was down visiting her aunt in Fort Lauderdale. Her daughter, Esme Prince (Avery Kristen Pohl), has amnesia and wants nothing to do with her. It doesnt feel like forty-five years. This exit was simply a way for the soap to write in Francis annual summer vacation, and judging from some photos she shared on Twitter, shes been really enjoying herself! These castmates have known each other for decades, which is evident from their comfort as a group: They laugh, they mock each other and they get serious too. A video confirmed Kate was alive. Did it feel like closure in some way, or had you already said goodbye? Thats all gone! LAST WEEK ON DAYS: Hope broke Bo's programming. In 2015, she came back again as part of Anthony Gearys final storyline as Luke, and signed another contract to remain on the soap. I couldn't really believe that people still care that much. Hard to believe. Debuting in the role on Feb. 8, 1977, the actress helped catapult the show. What do they give viewers that other forms of entertainment dont? "I don't know the full story of what's coming. General Hospital, the longest running scripted show currently in production, turns 60 on April 1, and to commemorate that momentous occasion, Variety gathered five of its iconic stars together. Francis enjoyed fun in the sun with her hubby at home in Maine! Wagner: Well, Im not sure if I agree with you I dont know if the show has always been led by strong women, you know? Rogers: Back in 81, that was the year I will always remember. In fact, she's been dividing her time between the two coasts for quite a while now, staying in Los Angeles for . Francis has since returned to GH for several stints over the years, one of which was a 1998 storyline that dug into Luke's past rape of Laura. Sheila receives yet another unexpected visitor, THIS WEEK: Lil Nas X makes acting debut on The Bold and the Beautiful, THIS WEEK: The Bold and the Beautiful is bringing back R.J. Forrester, B&B INTERVIEW: Diamond White dishes on becoming Marvel's latest superhero and what's next for Paris Buckingham, Y&R INTERVIEW: Courtney Hope weighs in on Sally's baby daddy drama, Sean Kanan's Studio City scores 13 Indie Series Award nominations, Where is B&B's Flo Fulton? Laura hasnt been seen in Port Charles in months, but Genie Francis is on her way back to GENERAL HOSPITAL, so well be seeing the mayor back in action before we know it! An author, content writer, and avid reader who loves the world offantasy, fiction, literature, cinema, and entertainment. While were happy to see that Francis enjoyed her time off during the summer, were just as happy to anticipate Lauras return to Port Charles and all the drama and excitement that will bring. But where are some areas where the show could do better in terms of being more inclusive? And were like family, and that has not changed in 60 years theyre going to turn on, because its like a family member.