Daytime Emmy winner Kelly Thiebaud is making her way back to Port Charles this July, though “General Hospital” fans will have to wait to discover whether she’s reprising her beloved role as Dr. Britt Westbourne or stepping into an entirely new character. The actress confirmed her return to Deadline, expressing her excitement with a simple statement: “It is good to be home.”
The mystery surrounding Thiebaud’s character choice has sparked considerable speculation among longtime viewers. Her previous character, Britt, met a dramatic end in January 2023 when serial killer Heather Webber attacked her with a poisonous hook. The death occurred just after Britt had thrown herself a lavish farewell party on New Year’s Eve, and she died in her mother’s arms shortly after midnight.
Executive Producer Frank Valentini remained deliberately vague about the casting details while expressing his enthusiasm for the actress’s return. “I am thrilled to have Kelly back on our show,” he told Deadline. “We have some great twists and turns planned for her character.” However, he notably avoided specifying which character those plans involve.
A History of Multiple Identities
General Hospital has an established tradition of bringing back popular actors in completely different roles, making Thiebaud’s character’s ambiguity particularly intriguing. The show’s history includes numerous examples of performers successfully transitioning between multiple characters within the same fictional universe
Notable examples include Michael Easton, who portrayed three different doctors across his tenure, and Roger Howarth, who has embodied three distinct personalities. Even Anthony Geary, famous for playing Luke Spencer, once appeared as Luke’s cousin Bill Eckert. This pattern suggests the creative team has flexibility in determining Thiebaud’s role.
Thiebaud’s original tenure began in 2012 when she joined as an ob/gyn with scheming tendencies. Her character evolved significantly over multiple storylines, including a complex deception involving stolen embryos and romantic entanglements with several Port Charles residents. She earned critical recognition for her performance, winning the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2022.
From Death to Potential Resurrection
The actress initially departed the show in 2015 but returned for several stints between 2017 and 2018, as well as in 2020 and 2023. Her most recent storyline involved a romantic relationship with Jason Morgan and a heartbreaking Huntington’s disease diagnosis that motivated her character’s planned departure from town.
Thiebaud previously explained to Soap Opera Digest that leaving was her personal decision, driven by a desire to pursue other creative opportunities. “I just felt like I had to leave and go and pursue those other dreams and goals of mine, because being [on GH full time] doesn’t really allow the flexibility to do other projects,” she shared.
During her time away from General Hospital, Thiebaud appeared on ABC’s “Station 19” for two seasons, playing Eva Vasquez. Her return timing coincides with Jonathan Jackson’s departure as Lucky Spencer, providing the show with an opportunity to welcome back a fan-favorite performer.Whether Britt returns from the dead or Thiebaud creates an entirely new Port Charles resident, her July debut promises to deliver the dramatic storytelling that soap opera fans crave.
