Kelly Monaco, a cornerstone of General Hospital since 2003, is leaving the ABC soap opera, with her final episode scheduled for later this fall. This departure marks the end of an era for one of the show’s most enduring characters, Sam McCall. The news was initially reported by Soap Opera Network.
General Hospital is currently on a production hiatus, and a spokesperson was unavailable for comment. However, sources close to the show indicate that Monaco’s departure is driven by storyline decisions. Despite Monaco’s recent temporary replacement by Lindsay Hartley, who appeared as Sam McCall in recent episodes, Hartley will not be taking over the role permanently.
Monaco’s career began on Port Charles, where she played Livvie Locke from 2000 to 2003. Her portrayal of Kevin Collins’s daughter, paired with Michael Easton’s Caleb Morley, left a lasting impression. Following the cancellation of Port Charles, Monaco quickly transitioned to General Hospital, where she began as a con artist entangled with Jax and soon became a central figure in the show’s narrative.
Reflecting on her journey, Monaco recounted in a 2023 interview with Digest, “Within 30 minutes of learning Port Charles was canceled, I was receiving offers from various networks. Frank Valentini, who was then Executive Producer of One Life to Live, was particularly proactive in reaching out to me. Despite offers from other networks, I was a lifelong fan of General Hospital and was thrilled when Brian Frons, then ABC Daytime President, offered to create a role specifically for me.”
Monaco’s character, Sam McCall, became a significant part of the show’s fabric, initially involving a storyline with Sonny Corinthos and a tragic pregnancy that eventually introduced Jason Morgan, sparking the popular “JaSam” romance. Over the years, Sam’s character has been pivotal in various storylines, including her connections with Jason’s twin Drew and her current partner Dante Falconeri, and has two children, Danny and Scout.
Reflecting on her two-decade journey with General Hospital, Monaco shared, “It’s incredible to think that I’ve been a part of ABC and General Hospital for twenty years. I started in my early 20s, and GH has become my second home. Every day I drive to the lot, I’m deeply honored to be part of this legendary show.”