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Executive producer Frank Valentini announced today that Daytime Emmy award winning actresses Finola Hughes and Genie Francis will continue lending their talents to daytime drama General Hospital . The veteran soap stars are best known for the popular roles of Agent Anna Devane and Laura Spencer.
Hughes began her soap career on General Hospital in 1985 playing then super spy Anna DeVane, a role she also played on All My Children as well as General Hospital: Night Shift. In addition to GH, Hughes has numerous television and film roles on her resume including Charmed, Blossom, Pacific Palisades, Soapdish, Staying Alive and Like Crazy. In 2013, she directed and executive produced the film The Bet, winning a LA Femme Filmmaker Award for Best Feature. Hughes won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1991.
Francis came into instant stardom playing the role of Laura Spencer on General Hospital, which she took over in 1977. She is most noted as one half of super couple of Luke and Laura. Luke and Laura’s wedding on November 17, 1981 drew 30 million viewers, turning the episode into the highest-rated hour in soap opera history. In addition to GH, Francis has also starred as Diana Colville on Days of our Lives, Ceara Connor Hunter on All My Children and Genevieve Atkinson on The Young and the Restless. She is also noted for her role as Brett Main Hazard in the popular television mini-series North and South. Francis won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2007.
Currently on GH, Anna is battling her own demons after taking matters into her own hands regarding her lover’s murder. Her guilt has been weighing heavy on her but could the man she killed really be alive after all? Meanwhile, Laura holds onto a big secret for the sake of her loved ones. Can she convince her son Nikolas to do the right thing and reveal Jake’s true identity? Will she be able to help her troubled grandson and get Liz to focus on what’s real?
“We are thrilled that Genie and Finola will continue to make General Hospital their home for years to come,” said executive producer Frank Valentini. “These enormously talented actresses have created timeless characters that resonate with our fans.”
General Hospital, which celebrated its 52nd anniversary on April 1, 2015, is both the longest running American soap opera currently in production and the longest running scripted television drama currently in production. In 2012, General Hospital won the prestigious Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama for a record 11th time. General Hospital was created by Frank and Doris Hursley. Frank Valentini is the executive producer. General Hospital airs weekly on the ABC Television Network.
My Take: This is good news for GH fans. Anna and Laura are important roles that embody both the show’s past and present. Both actress are among the best talents in daytime and GH needs strong female roles that also serve as moral compasses for the series.
Photo Credits: © Howard Wise/JPI Studios
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