son‘General Hospital’ (GH) spoilers reveal that there will soon be a Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Wing at General Hospital. The soap is preparing for its 62nd-anniversary episode. The installment will honor Leslie Charleson’s enduring legacy on the show.
‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: GH Isn’t Ready To Let Go Of Monica Just Yet
However, this doesn’t mean that GH is ready to let go of Monica just yet. The episode, which will air on April 1st, was written before Leslie Charleson passed away in January at the age of 79 and will highlight Charlson’s contribution as the iconic character.
Charleson’s actual memorial episode is still being worked on and will air sometime down the pike. The original idea for this episode was to include Charleson in the festivities, but the actress passed prior to filming.
Port Charles Mayor Laura Collins (Genie Francis) will lead the dedication as the new wing will officially open. Laura is set to make a moving speech recognizing Monica’s long and impactful career within the hospital.
“She was a real pillar of this show and of that hospital, which is a lovely thing,”
Francis said as she expressed her admiration for the late actress.
“I’m glad they did this in her honor. I think it’s beautiful,”
She beamed.
Fans can expect the nostalgia train to come riding in as the writers plan to flood viewers with incredible flashbacks of Charleson’s time on the soap, which should be a treat for longtime GH fans.
Both Charleson and Francis started on the show in 1977, so Laura being the one to give the speech feels right. Monica served as the Chief of Cardiology and later became the Chief of Staff.
Charleson is seen as the heart of the Quartermaine family and, as such, will be celebrated appropriately. Monica was the first female doctor on the show.
‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Charleson’s Spirit Lives On Through Monica’s Legacy
The character’s marriage to Dr. Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon) was one of the soap’s most important relationships. They were married off and on from 1978 to Alan’s death in 2007.
One of Charleson’s most memorable and significant storylines in 1995 was when her character, Monica, bravely battled breast cancer.
When speaking about this groundbreaking storyline to Soap Opera Digest in 2023, Charleson noted, “Wendy Riche (then executive producer of GH) and Claire Labine (Then head writer of GH) were women in charge of the show and in charge of the breast cancer storyline,” she recalled.
“Interestingly enough, we had all either gone through it or knew someone close to us who had, so we all had a vested interest in keeping it honest and real.”
She added,
“It was important and difficult and rewarding because we all did our homework. I really wanted to portray it in the most honest, realistic way we could.”
In addition, Charleson also used her GH platform to advocate for breast cancer awareness.
While Monica will be noticeably absent from the announcement of the new wing, Charleson’s spirit lives on through Monica’s remarkable legacy. Monica’s last appearance on the show was in December 2023.
GH is a significant touchstone for ABC as it will have been on the air for 62 years come this April. Every milestone deserves to be marked and appreciated.
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