'General Hospital' Loses Emmy Winner Kris Alderson

ABC's General Hospital is one of the longest running soap operas still on American television after almost 52 years of making history, including giving us the first 'Supercouple' to ever grace our screens, Luke and Laura, as well as redefining the traditional soap opera format, which trickled down to every network soap.  

When One Life To Live and All My Children were cancelled in 2012, it was a shock to soap fans everywhere who had to let go of their extended families.  When I heard Kris Alderson, Roger Howarth and Michael Easton were coming to General Hospital I was thrilled. Having been a fan of all three, it was like a gift to fans who lost One Life To Live.  

Though initially making the transition as the characters they played on the cancelled drama, Todd and Starr Manning and Detective McBain, thanks to Prospect Park, the actors found themselves in the middle of a huge legal battle hell bent on the network releasing the names of the characters for various reasons. Thankfully Executive Producer, Frank Valentini and Head Writer, Ron Carlivati quickly adjusted, creating new characters for the three crossovers- Franco, Kiki Jerome and Silas Clay. 

Kris Alderson strutted back on our screens and into our living rooms as Kiki Jerome, daughter of Ava and member of the Jerome mob family.  She quickly integrated first as Morgan's (Brian Craig) 'gambling queen' girlfriend, then as Michael's (Chad Duell) true love.  I think it's safe to say that she captured our hearts yet again, making the role her own.  

Yesterday it was announced that Alderson will be leaving General Hospital, a decision Duell tweeted, she made on her own.  I'm very sad to hear this.  While I have no information as to the reason why and none has yet to be revealed, I suspect it could be due to the direction her character was headed. I have to say that for me, I was not happy with a possible rehashing of Morgan and Kiki relationship, but rather expected to see Kiki's break up with Michael as a way for both characters to examine their lives on a deeper level, which would lead them back to each other.  It's no secret that I've said numerous times it would be great for Duell to get a really meaty storyline, that would give his character more layers.  I feel that both actors, Duell and Alderson, have been misused, their talents stifled. While Duell recently had some great scenes with the reveal that Sonny (Maurice Benard) killed AJ (Sean Kanan), I'm hoping for more complexity and wish we'd see the same for Alderson. 

I had the pleasure of meeting both for the first time at GH Fan Club Weekend last year. Alderson couldn't have been more sweet and really seemed to enjoy meeting her fans.  She's an incredible Emmy-winning actress who has a huge following.  With ratings at an all-time low in the 18-49 demographic, the show will take another big hit with Alderson's exit. 

While I'm sad to see her go, I know that her fans will continue to follow her career as she moves on to bigger and better things.  She will be greatly missed and I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.  

Alderson's final scenes will be filmed soon and I'll keep you posted on her final air date.  

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