THE SCOOP

Fresh off the news that Steve Burton will be returning to “General Hospital” as Jason Morgan, and two days after the actor himself announced he had taped his final scenes at “Days of our Lives” as Harris Michaels, the latter series has formally confirmed Burton’s exit from Salem while noting there’s plenty of time left with the character appearing on screen.

A spokesperson for “Days of our Lives” tells Soap Opera Network, “Everyone enjoyed having Steve back in the ‘Days of our Lives’ family.” They added, “Although he finished taping at the end of the year, ‘Harris’ will remain on the show for many months to come.” Burton taped his final scenes just before the show broke for its Christmas holiday break.

A final airdate for Burton has not been announced, but with the “Days of our Lives” taping six to eight months ahead, fans should expect to continue seeing the actor as Harris Michaels through at least late spring/early summer, much of which will also coincide with his appearing again as Jason Morgan on “General Hospital.” Burton had only signed a one-year deal with Corday Productions, producer of “Days of our Lives.”

A few months after reprising the role of Harris Michaels on the spinoff series “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem” (Chapter Two), the mothership announced Burton’s return in November 2022. He originated the role in 1988 which also marked his first foray in appearing in a soap opera.

“I started my daytime career on ‘Days of our Lives’ in 1988 while on a hiatus from the sitcom I was doing called ‘Out of This World’ when I was a senior in high school. It’s been really cool to reprise the character I started with, Harris Michaels,” Burton said on playing the character again in an interview with Soap Hub at the time. 

“Daytime is a small world, so I knew a lot of the cast and crew already and met some new peeps,” Burton continued. “Everyone has been so welcoming, and I am always grateful for new opportunities.”

During his time in Salem, Burton worked most closely alongside scene partners Kristian Alfonso (ex-Hope Brady) and Tamara Braun (Ava Vitali; ex-Kim Nero/Carly Corinthos, “General Hospital”). 

After exiting “Days of our Lives” the first time, Burton joined the “General Hospital” cast in 1991 as Jason Quartermaine. By 1997, the character had lost his memories and began going by the name of Jason Morgan. Burton exited the ABC soap in 2000 only to return on a full-time in 2002. He again exited the series in 2012 before eventually ending up in Genoa City, playing Dylan McAvoy from 2013-2017. A few months later, Burton returned to “General Hospital” as Jason Morgan, only to exit again in November 2021 after being let go for not complying with the since vacated Disney/ABC vaccine mandate.

“I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions and both of those were denied, which, you know, hurts. But this is also about personal freedom to me. I don’t think anybody should lose their livelihood over this, but with that being said, you know me, I’ll always be grateful for my time at ‘General Hospital.’ I love it there. I grew up there. I grew up with some of you, so, I’ll always be grateful,” Burton said in an Instagram video explaining his departure from the soap.

Incidentally, Burton pre-determined his return to the show in the same video, saying, “I am excited to see what the future brings and maybe one day if these mandates are lifted, I can return and finish my career as Jason Morgan — that would be an honor, and if not, I’m going to take this amazing experience [and] move forward, and be forever grateful.”

Burton made his then-final appearance on “General Hospital” in the Friday, November 19, 2021, episode when the tunnel his character was in collapsed, seemingly leaving him for dead. 

In the following episode, aired Monday, November 22, 2021, and without Burton appearing, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), Leisl (Kathleen Gati) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) frantically tried to remove fallen debris from the tunnel collapse but were quickly escorted out by Anna (Finola Hughes) and Robert (Tristan Rogers) for their own safety, and in the hopes that Jason was able to get out on his own another way. Later, they are told that Robert’s men scoured the island only not to find a trace of Jason which gave credence to the possibility that Jason’s body is still in the tunnels, presumably dead from the debris that fell on him in the Friday episode.

At the end of the episode, The Chariot tarot card is shown where viewers last saw Jason. The card represents “willpower, determination, and strength” or “determination, focus, and willpower.” Essentially, the card is supposed to represent a positive outcome. Therefore, with Burton’s imminent return to the series, it looks like viewers will get their wish when Port Charles discovers Jason isn’t dead after all.

A first airdate for Burton on “General Hospital” was not known at press time.