Kelly Monaco Departs General Hospital Amid Controversy

Kelly Monaco has exited General Hospital after portraying Sam McCall for 21 years, with her character's death following a liver donation surgery intended to save another character, Lulu Spencer. The decision to kill off Sam reportedly blindsided Monaco, who expressed disappointment over the show's direction regarding her character in a since-deleted Instagram post. Dominic Zamprogna, who played her love interest Dante, praised her performance and mentioned they remain close friends, hinting at the possibility of her return to the show. Other soap stars, like Cherie Jimenez, acknowledged the unpredictability of soap opera storylines, suggesting that character exits often lead to new drama. Despite the tragic turn of events, fans are speculating about potential storylines that could allow for Monaco's comeback, as characters often return in soaps. The show's producers are also facing pressure to boost ratings amidst the backlash from fans mourning Sam's departure.