General Hospital is a long-running American daytime soap opera. It was first broadcast on April 1, 1963 and airs on ABC as part of their daytime programming block. The following is a list of characters that have appeared on the soap opera in 2015, by order of first appearance. The first three characters are introduced by executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati. Darby Collette was introduced under Valentini and co-head writers Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman.
Valerie Spencer, played by Brytni Sarpy, is the daughter of Pat Spencer (Dee Wallace). Sarpy made her debut on March 20, 2015. In January, the series put out a casting call for a beautiful dynamic African American actress in her 20s for a contract role.[1] Head writer Ron Carlivati revealed to Soap Opera Digest that Sarpy initially auditioned for the role of Jordan Ashford (Vinessa Antoine) but she was too young for the role. Sarpy made an impression on the producers and she was later offered the role of Valerie.[2]
Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) and Lulu Spencer Falconeri (Emme Rylan) are searching for Pat Spencer (Dee Wallace), and instead find her daughter, Valerie. Lulu reveals that she is the daughter of Pat's brother, Luke (Anthony Geary), and that they are cousins. Lulu and Tracy explain that Luke is in trouble and that Pat may be the only one who can help him out of it. However, Valerie claims her mother is dead and it is revealed that Valerie is being held hostage at gunpoint by Luke himself.[3] After Valerie gets rid of Tracy and Lulu, Luke demands to know Pat's whereabouts, accusing Valerie of lying. When Valerie doesn't change her story, Luke ties her up to keep her from escaping. Valerie eventually lets it slip that Pat is alive but she refuses to give up her location suspecting that Luke will kill her. Just as Luke is about to kill Valerie, she escapes and they struggle over his gun.
Hayden Barnes is a fictional character from the ABC daytime series, General Hospital. Hayden is portrayed by Daytime Emmy nominated actress and All My Children alumni Rebecca Budig and was introduced on March 20, 2015 as the woman pretending to be the wife of Jake Doe (Billy Miller). Budig's casting was announced on Twitter by executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati on February 10, 2015. "I've always loved GH and I love Frank, so it’s really exciting to get to go over there and play" Budig said to Soap Opera Digest.[4] Carlivati described the character as "a real spitfire" and Valentini said it was "Killer role."[5] In an interview with Michael Logan for TV Insider, the character's was officially revealed to be Hayden Barns. Budig described the character as "ballsy and very direct" similar to her former All My Children character, Greenlee Smythe. However, Budig continued, "this one is much more out there then Greenlee." Budig admitted that she was even surprised by some of Hayden's actions. The actress expected fans backlash considering she'd cause trouble for popular heroine Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) in her romance with Jake. Logan described Hayden as a "maneater."[6] Budig later left the series on May 19, 2015, after her character went into a coma. Budig reprised the role on August 3, 2015.
Patricia "Pat" Spencer, played by Dee Wallace—known for her appearance in the 1982 Steven Spielberg film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial—is the older sister of Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) and Bobbie Spencer (Jacklyn Zeman). Wallace's casting was officially announced on March 6, 2015.[7] In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, Wallace said what piqued her interest the most was that she had never done a soap before. Wallace's late husband Christopher Stone had appeared on Days of Our Lives as Bill Horton and the work load initially scared him. However, he later told her it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of his career. Also, Wallace's agent told her how "pivotal" the role was and also told Wallace she'd be working opposite Anthony Geary. However, Wallace was nervous when she realized how much work she had coming her way. "Seriously, when I got the first script, I thought 'Oh, my gosh, maybe it's not too late for me to get out!' I was scared!" Wallace said. However, Wallace praised Geary, executive producer Frank Valentini and casting director Mark Teschner for making her feel welcome and comfortable on the set.[8]
Not much is known about Pat. She was briefly mentioned to Bobbie by their old neighbor Ms. Middleton in 1978. Pat's dresses were cut down by their mother so that they would fit little Bobbie. Pat was last mentioned in 1983. Pat is not mentioned again until early 2015 when a deranged Luke discusses her with their cousin Bill's corpse imagining he is speaking with himself. Luke admits that he hasn't thought of Pat in decades. When the family realizes Luke has suffered a severe psychotic break due to some childhood trauma, Bobbie assumes Pat would be old enough to remember what happened to Luke because she is too young. In February 2015, Luke's daughter Lulu (Emme Rylan) and his wife Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) get news of an address for Pat. In March, Pat's daughter, Valerie (Brytni Sarpy) claims Pat is dead. On April 2, 2015, Pat dies after being reunited with her siblings after 52 years.
Darby knows Molly Lansing from PCPU. She goes out with Morgan Corinthos, Molly and TJ Ashford to a party. A couple days later, she receives a text from Morgan, although it was actually sent by Kiki Jerome. Darby reacts negatively towards Morgan when he shows up at the Floating Rib.
Notes
^ abThe announcement of Luke and Bobbie's sister was shown in 1978, under executive producer Gloria Monty and head writer Douglas Marland. The character was later developed and introduced under executive producer, Frank Valentini and head writer, Ron Carlivati.
