It’s been a couple of weeks since a new Michael debuted on General Hospital. However, some fans are still wondering why there was an actor switch-up for the character.
Chad Duell played Michael Corinthos III on General Hospital for nearly 15 years. In November 2024, the actor announced he was leaving the daytime drama and had already filmed his final scenes.
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Michael was severely burned in a fire that was meant for Sonny (Maurice Benard). The character was sent for treatment in Germany as a way to write the character off the canvas.
When Duell left, General Hospital head writer Frank Valentini shared that Michael would not be recast. Fans knew that wouldn’t last long, especially since Michael was in the middle of a front-burner storyline involving Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).
Despite the show’s best efforts to keep the casting news under wraps, the rumor mill began buzzing in April that The Young and the Restless alum Rory Gibson had been cast as the new Michael. That was confirmed when Michael walked into the Nurses Ball and was reunited with his son, Wiley (Viron Weaver).
Gibson brings a whole new Michael to the screen. His version is much darker, channeling his inner Sonny and Jason (Steve Burton), and fans are here for it.
“No disrespect to Chad Duell I loved him as Michael, But Rory out here giving me Dark Michael I’ve always wanted HELLO!” wrote one fan.Michael on General Hospital has a new face and a new fire and is ready to burn things down. The vibe changes the dynamic of the show, and it’s oh so good.
