First, “Grey’s Anatomy” lost Derek Shepherd. Now, Port Charles is losing their own resident McDreamy. After a decade as dashing Dr. Patrick Drake, Jason Thompson has taped his final scenes at “General Hospital.”
Thompson shared the news on Twitter: “Yesterday morning. Nov 20th. 5:55 am. It was my birthday and also my last day of playing Patrick Drake on GH after 10 years. It was a long, emotional, exhausting, thrilling at times overwhelming day, and I am so grateful for every one of those moments. Change can be exciting and scary all at once. Shake it up..see what comes out.”
It was back in October, that Thompson first revealed his plans to exit the soap on Instagram. “I have made the difficult decision to bid farewell to a character I’ve loved playing for over ten years,” posted Thompson. “It was not an easy decision, but I feel like it’s time to hang up Dr. Patrick Drake’s white coat and scrubs. I want to thank Frank Valentini, Vicki Dummer and Paul Lee for their support and appreciate their understanding. To everyone at ABC, the General Hospital crew, producers, writers, directors, my beloved cast mates and those in my home away from home, the make up room, I can’t possibly begin to tell you what you mean to me. Most importantly, I would like to thank the fans. General Hospital changed my life, and I have you to thank for that.”
During his run on the ABC soap, Thompson garnered five Daytime Emmy Award nominations: two for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 2011 and 2012 and three for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2013, 2014 and 2015. However, he never took home Emmy gold.
With Kimberly McCullough returning to the show briefly as Patrick’s ex-wife, Robin, speculation is that the once popular couple will reconcile and exit happily together.
As for what’s next for Thompson, rumors abound that he may be heading to “The Young and the Restless.” The move would reunite him with former GH Executive Producer and current Y&R Executive Producer, Jill Farren Phelps.