Lindsay Hartley recast Sam Kelly Monaco GH
Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI

Fans of Kelly Monaco will be seeing her character a little differently this week. Soap Opera Digest has learned that once again, Lindsay Hartley will temporarily step into the role of Sam since the actress took a brief break from the ABC soap in January. Look for Hartley’s scenes to begin on Thursday, February 3.

Fans may recall the last time the former soap hopper, having had roles on All My Children, Days of Our Lives and most notably Passions, appeared as Sam. Back in August 2020, she first turned up in Port Charles when Sam arrived on Alexis’ doorstep to relay that she had slapped Julian then questioned her mother as to why she was avoiding Neil (remember, the guy Alexis found dead in her bed?).

Sam tells Alexis about slapping Julian at home General Hospital

These days Sam has been enjoying getting to know Dante on a more personal level, even though Dante recently told Chase that things have stalled between them a bit ever since Drew returned.

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But not to worry fans… Monaco is already back in the ABC Studios taping scenes, so she’ll be returning to your screens before you know it.

This isn’t the first time General Hospital has used other actors to fill in for their stars. Back in 2017 Days of Our Lives alum Jen Lilley stepped in for Kirsten Storms as Maxie, and in 2020 fellow GHer Jon Lindstrom (Kevin/Ryan) joined his real-life wife Cady McClain (ex-Jennifer) on the Salem soap to fill in for Matthew Ashford as her onscreen hubby Jack.

Even though this recast is temporary, now seems like the perfect time to take a look back at our gallery of soaps’ most recast characters.

— Amy Mistretta