After much speculation, and just one day after announcing his departure from “Days of our Lives,” actor Steve Burton is set to reprise his role as Jason Morgan on ABC’s “General Hospital” in the near future, it was announced last night in a promo aired during the network’s broadcast of the primetime special “General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling.”
In the promo, co-stars Laura Wright (Carly Spencer) and Kelly Monaco (Sam McCall) can be seen walking out of two of three mystery doors. Wright opens the promo, walking out of her door, saying, “You know what they say when one door closes…” followed by Monaco opening her own door and commenting, “Another door opens.” The two then eye each other as a dimly lit third door is shown at the center, only to open up to reveal Burton as the lights get brighter.
“Happy anniversary, ‘General Hospital.’ Stay tuned. Big things are coming to Port Charles,” says Burton as the promo closes to mark the conclusion of the primetime special.
Eric McCandless/Disney
Shortly after the big announcement, the show shared the promo and promotional pictures on social media. Additionally, an interview with Burton was published by Daily Drama, which is home to his new podcast with sometimes “General Hospital” co-star Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), titled “The Daily Drama Podcast with Steve Burton & Bradford Anderson.” The podcast launched in November 2023 and is available wherever you listen to podcasts.
In the interview, Burton talked about being let go from the daytime drama series in November 2021 following his decision not to comply with the since vacated Disney/ABC vaccine mandate for all employees and how things led up to his imminent return to the show, specifically how everyone tried to keep details of his return to the show a secret but were a bit unsuccessful in keeping a complete lid on things.
First up, Burton notes that there were no hard feelings behind the scenes after he was let go by the studio/network, saying, “I didn’t have any ill will because ‘GH’ was my family. I was there for so long. I grew up there. This show, ‘General Hospital,’ has enabled me to live such an amazing life.
“I know it’s hard for people to believe because a lot of emotions get in there, and I understand,” Burton continued. “People get emotional. It was an emotional time in the country, in the world…but I like to focus on love, I like to focus on gratitude. I truly believe when one door closes, another door opens.”
Eric McCandless/Disney
As for keeping his return a secret, Burton explains it was not easy, considering people would notice him back on the studio lot and immediately put two and two together. He says, “We tried to keep it super low profile in the building,” adding, “Here’s the thing. Once you start telling makeup, hair, wardrobe, it’s hard. It’s supposed to be hush-hush but I’m going back in the building…you can’t just drop me in the dressing room and then take me up to stage and shoot something without people noticing.”
So, how does Burton feel to be back on the show? “It was incredible going back.” He added, “Just the welcome back from everybody on the lot, starting with the people at the gate. It was amazing.”
Click here to hear more from Burton on his return to the soap opera that helped make him a household name, including how he thinks his character should make a reappearance in Port Charles.
Eric McCandless/Disney
A first air date back for Burton was not known at press time, but according to Soap Opera Digest, fans can expect to see the actor back on screen imminently, which means he’ll be appearing on “Days of our Lives” as Harris Michaels simultaneous to his return to “General Hospital” as Jason Morgan considering the Peacock original series tapes six to eight months ahead while the ABC soap tapes within the more traditional three to six weeks ahead.
Check out the promo aired during the primetime special below.