Jonathan Jackson On GH Recasting Lucky: ‘I Respect That’
With Lucky preparing to leave Port Charles again, Jonathan Jackson’s latest run on General Hospital is coming to an end. The actor stepped back into the role in August 2024 for a longer visit than the few episodes he had appeared in back in 2015, but now this latest stint is winding down after just 9 months. Unable to sustain the lengthy commute between his home in Nashville and the soap’s studio in California, the father of three felt he needed to step away, but remains grateful to his fans for their loyalty and support.
A Special Message
“I’m very thankful for their enthusiasm for my return to the show,” Jackson told TV Insider of the audience. “I apologize for not being able to stay longer. I hope they can understand the life dynamic, but I’m super grateful for the fans and the loyalty and love. The GH fan base is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I don’t take it for granted, and I’m extremely grateful for all of that support.”
Since debuting in the role of Luke and Laura’s son back in 1993 when he was just 11 years old, Jackson has come and gone from the soap multiple times. And in between his stints, the role of Lucky has been recast with other actors. First, Jacob Young stepped in from 2000-03, and then Greg Vaughan took over until 2009, when Jackson returned for another run.
Though Jackson would understand if GH decided to recast Lucky again, he’s hoping that won’t be the case, which would make it possible for him to pay another visit to Port Charles at some point in the future. “I don’t really see that happening,” he admitted when asked to weigh in on the idea of another actor stepping into Lucky’s shoes. “I mean, I could be wrong, but on a personal level, I would say, ‘Well, that’s too bad.’ As an actor, there are so many things in life that are just out of your hands. That’s their decision, but obviously, I would prefer that it’s just left open so that I could hopefully come back and do more work there…. I understand that if I’m able to be a benefit for the show, then that’s great, and if they need to move on from that, then I respect that.”
Open Door Policy
When the news broke that the Daytime Emmy winner was leaving GH, the soap’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, said that the door was always open for him to return. “The door is always open from my perspective, too,” Jackson proclaimed, “so we’ll have to see how it goes logistically, and see if there’s a way to adjust and pivot certain realities, but I would hope that that would be able to happen.”
Would you rather see Jackson back as Lucky or the role recast again — or do you think the character has run its course and should remain off-screen? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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