ABC’s “General Hospital” will celebrate its 62nd anniversary on Tuesday, April 1, and that day’s episode will honor one of the show’s most iconic characters, Dr. Monica Quartermaine, who had been portrayed by the late Leslie Charleson since 1977.
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While the episode was written before Charleson’s death on January 12, 2025, at the age of 79, the introduction of the Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Wing will dedicate part of the fictional General Hospital location to her character.
“I was thrilled,” said Genie Francis (Laura Collins) in a recent interview published in the latest issue of TV Guide Magazine, discussing her character’s prominent role in the episode. “It’s always nice when they acknowledge the fact I’m sort of an antique here; I’m historical. I like the feeling of that.”
While producers had hoped Charleson would have been able to attend the on-air dedication when it was initially conceived, those plans were changed following her passing.
Reportedly, the show is planning to memorialize the character in a future story arc as there are no plans to recast the role.
Todd Wawrychuk/ABC
“When I was a kid and she came on, she was always so kind to me,” recalled Francis of paying homage to her late colleague and noting how they both joined the show in the same year.
“Most of us have come and gone, me included. Even Tony [Geary, ex-Luke Spencer] came and went. But Leslie was there nonstop,” Francis continued. “She was a real pillar of this show and of that hospital, which is a lovely thing. I’m glad they did this in her honor. I think it’s beautiful.”
The episode’s script is filled with nods to the show’s history and features a moving tribute by Laura. “I take great pride in giving the speeches, because there’s a lot of truth in them and how I feel about this place and how I feel about the people in it,” shared Francis, previewing the episode.
Speaking of history, Francis revealed that things haven’t always been happy during her time on the soap as she’s had some highs and lows, both on screen and behind the scenes.
“It’s a mixed bag, but rather than having been crushed down by some of the bad parts that happened, I feel that I managed to work through it and stand up on top of it victoriously, and it feels like a win to me,” she says of the experience nearly 50 years since making her debut on the soap.
The special episode of “General Hospital” airs Tuesday, April 1 on ABC. Stream anytime on Hulu.
