Actor Chad Duell recently announced he would be leaving General Hospital. While much information has been teased about his departure, one things fans don’t know just yet is how the character will be written off. At this time, fans are wondering just how and why Michael will be leaving Port Charles.
There Are No Immediate Plans To Recast The Character
As an actor, Duell got his start in a few Disney Channel shows. In 2010, however, he would join General Hospital as Michael Corinthos, having taken on the role from Drew Garrett.
The role won Duell a Daytime Emmy Award in 2015. However, in 2024, he announced his departure from the series after around 14 years.
As noted by Soaps, at this time, fans already know a bit about Duell’s departure already. As the publication noted, Duell’s appearances on the soap will continue well into 2025.
Actor Robert Adamson occasionally filled in for Duell over the years, but it’s believed that Duell’s departure also means that the Michael character is leaving the soap. Executive producer Frank Valenti also confirmed on X that there were no immediate plans to recast the role.
As Valenti shared, “There are no plans to recast his role at this time, but you never know in daytime. I can promise a great story for Michael and his family when Chad exits in the new year.”
However, that leaves the question of how Michael’s absence will be addressed on the soap. Soaps commented on this, making note of other recent send-offs on the soap, noting there might be a connection.
Fans Have Suggested Their Own Ideas
Many of the suggestions were somehow connected to Drew. One idea was that Michael would go after Drew, effectively finishing what Jason started. This could lead to the character getting arrested.
Alternatively, Michael could try to frame Drew by faking his own death. Willow and Drew’s affair also could simply inspire him to go abroad.
Michael could also take inspiration from his father Sonny. Noting how he found peace in Nixon Falls, he could try to start a new life for himself there.
Ultimately, the publication pointed out the more permanent solution of simply killing off Michael. Of course, if the writers decide to bring him back, this wouldn’t be too much of a problem in the world of soaps.
The publication even suggested a few supernatural ideas akin to Port Charles or even Dark Shadows. This could include something like having the character travel, and get stuck, back in time.
However, it was also noted that the showrunners might simply change their mind about recasting the character. If done soon enough, it could be like the character never left. In the end, however, the character could simply vanish without really any explanation.
Taking to Yahoo Entertainment, some fans also suggested their own ideas. As one user wrote, Michael’s departure could bring other characters with him.
As one user wrote, “If you are writing him off, then get rid of Willow and the kids. [There’s] no need for them to be on the show.” Another suggested imitating “an old Alan & Monica storyline in which a jealous Alan was hurt himself instead of Rick Webber and Monica.”
