GH Casting Shocker: Y&R Alum Rory Gibson Is The New Michael
The role of Michael Corinthos on General Hospital, last played by Daytime Emmy-winner Chad Duell, has been recast with Young and Restless alum Rory Gibson (learn more about the actor here). He will make his first appearance in the role on Friday, May 23. “We are excited to welcome him to our show,” a spokesperson said in confirming the news.
The Road To Port Charles
On Y&R, Gibson played Noah Newman, son of supercouple Nick and Sharon, from 2021-23. He assumed the role from Robert Adamson, who himself pinch-hit as Michael on GH several times in recent years when Duell was unavailable. Speaking to TV Insider about his new daytime assignment, Gibson revealed that his casting was set in motion when he tried out for the role of Josslyn’s WSB handler, Vaughn, which went to Bryce Durfee. After reading opposite Eden McCoy (Josslyn), the actor conversed with Executive Producer Frank Valentini, “and I could kind of see the wheels turning as we were talking,” Gibson reported.
From there, he screen-tested opposite several of the key actors in Michael’s orbit: Kate Mansi (Kristina), Katelyn MacMullen (Willow), Steve Burton (Jason) and Laura Wright (Carly). Beamed Gibson, “About a week after that, they locked me in, and it’s been a nice little journey ever since.”
Gibson’s other daytime gig was likewise a recast, and while the actor has brushed up on Michael’s history on the show, he avoided doing a deep-dive into Duell’s performance as the character. He explained, “You don’t want to necessarily copy anything that anyone’s done before, and I know Chad really owned this role and he did incredible, incredible work, so I tried to stay away from watching too many old episodes.” Instead, he did online research and read a summary of Michael’s storyline provided to him by GH. Still, he admitted, “When you’re jumping in as a recast, especially filling in for someone who’s done it for so long and did such a great job, it can be kind of an intimidating thing to do.”
Duell’s Michael was last seen on air in January, when he was transported to Germany to undergo treatment after being gravely burned in a fire. When Michael comes back to Port Charles, Gibson previewed, “He is at a huge crossroads in his life. He has a thirst for vengeance and justice.” Translation — look out, Willow and Drew!
Gibson also voiced his appreciation for his new castmates, who have quickly helped him acclimate to life at GH, and said that he’s already bonded with his on-screen family members. Of his Port Charles father, Maurice Benard (Sonny), Gibson noted that he “plays such an intense, intimidating guy on the show, and then behind the scenes, he’s such a jokester and so lighthearted and fun and easy to be around. Same goes for Steve [Burton] and Laura [Wright].”
Not only that, but he shares a real-life connection to one of his on-screen siblings, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante). Zamprogna tells Digest, “He’s a great kid! And funny enough, I know his uncle. He came up to me his first day and he goes, ‘Hey, you know my uncle,’ and I’m like, ‘I don’t know who you’re talking about.’ He goes, ‘It’s Kirk Ward.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, I know Kirk!’ Kirk’s a writer and producer and a great dude. [Los Angeles] is a small town sometimes!”
What are your thoughts on Gibson’s imminent entrance to the Port Charles landscape? Let us know in the comments below!
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