Emma Samms Returning to 'General Hospital'

Another blast from the past! Emma Samms is bringing fan favorite Holly Scorpio back to General Hospital.

TVLine.com broke the story on Samms’ return on their website earlier today. The actress will first air at the end of February. Holly will play a role in helping ex-lover Luke Spencer (Tony Geary), son Ethan Lovett (Nathan Parsons) and the rest of the Spencers combat the evil Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers).

Samms originated the role of Holly Sutton in 1982, rising to popularity during a love triangle between herself, Luke and Robert Scorpio. Holly departed the canvas in 1985 and was presumed dead by then-husband Robert in 1987. Holly returned from 1992-1993 and wasn’t heard from again until GH’s encephalitis storyline in 2006. Under the pen of then-head writer Robert Guza Jr., Holly was written completely different than the Holly fans knew and loved in the 80s and 90s. She would return briefly again in 2009 when, in a major rewrite of history, newcomer Ethan Lovett was revealed to be the lovechild of Luke and Holly.

Holly’s re-appearance in Port Charles could be the beginning of a possible exit storyline for Nathan Parsons. In an interview with TV Guide last November, Parsons confirmed that while he was finally getting a major story, his contract expires in early 2012. “The timing’s not the best,” he said to Michael Logan. “I guess we’ll have to sit down and talk.” Word of the actor’s exit grew stronger when co-star Julie Berman (Lulu) mentioned he was leaving during a chat in December.

As previously reported, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Tristan Rogers (Robert) are also making their returns to the show in February. Will Holly mix it up with her ex-husband Robert?

It looks like the 80s are “in” again at Prospect Studios.