Slightly under a year after returning to General Hospital, Daytime Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson is leaving again, along with his character Lucky Spencer.
Fans were ecstatic last summer when Jackson returned to the ABC sudser after nearly 10 years. But after his most recent episode, which contained strong hints he might be leaving, Deadline has confirmed that is, in fact, the case.
In the episode, Lucky announced he would be leaving Port Charles after Liz (Rebecca Herbst) turned down his surprise marriage proposal. Explaining that her life is in Port Charles, she realized that he could never be happy there. Admitting that Port Charles was “not his home anymore,” he told Liz he would be leaving. “I know it’s sudden,” he explained. “But being here, knowing that we can’t be together, it just hurts too much.”
Jackson originated the role of Lucky in 1993; he’s the beloved son of super-couple Luke and Laura Spencer (Anthony Geary and Genie Francis). Jackson played the part on and off until 2011, when he left to star as Avery Barkley in ABC’s Nashville for six seasons. But he had already started branching out beyond daytime long before that, having appeared in The Deep End of the Ocean, On the Edge, Insomnia, Tuck Everlasting and Venom. Meanwhile, actors Jacob Young and Greg Vaughan took turns playing Lucky.
During his time on GH, Jackson was nominated for nine Emmys and won five in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2011 and 2012.
“We were so glad Jonathan was able to reprise the role of Lucky, even if was for a limited time,” General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini said in a statement to media outlets. “We wish him nothing but the best, and the door is always open for Jonathan to return.”
And based on the history of Jackson and his Lucky Spencer character, a return in the future certainly seems possible.
Lynette Rice contributed to this report.
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During his time on GH, Jackson was nominated for nine Emmys and won five in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2011 and 2012.
“We were so glad Jonathan was able to reprise the role of Lucky, even if was for a limited time,” General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini said in a statement to media outlets. “We wish him nothing but the best, and the door is always open for Jonathan to return.”
And based on the history of Jackson and his Lucky Spencer character, a return in the future certainly seems possible.
Lynette Rice contributed to this report.
