Kelly Monaco is preparing to say goodbye to General Hospital after more than two decades on the iconic daytime soap. The actress, who has played Sam McCall since 2003, took to Instagram to share her feelings about her departure, admitting that she’s still struggling to understand why it’s happening.
Monaco posted a behind-the-scenes photo over the weekend, showing her “last scene with the Davis girls” alongside co-stars Nancy Lee Grahn, Kristin Vaganos, and Kate Mansi, who play her mother and half-sisters. In the caption, she wrote, “Still doesn’t make any sense to me.” Grahn, who portrays her TV mom, commented on the post, “I love you. All will be well. There are some things a TV mother just knows.”
Kelly Monaco has portrayed mob daughter and former bad girl Sam McCall in nearly 2,300 episodes of General Hospital. Her departure, first confirmed in August, marks the end of a major chapter for both Monaco and the show. Neither ABC nor Monaco has explained the reason behind her exit, and the actress did not respond to Entertainment Weekly’s requests for comment at the time.
In a since-deleted Instagram reply, Monaco reportedly hinted at her frustration with the show’s direction in recent years. “‘No primary role’… do your homework. When Billy Miller was fired, Sam’s storyline stopped. Stripping Sam of every characteristic she had. Something I worked for decades to build… Slowly dismantling her, into a character that I did not recognize, let alone the audience. Call it what you will… retaliation at [its] finest. I will give a proper statement. The truth will set you free,” she wrote.
Monaco’s departure adds to an eventful year for General Hospital, which has seen several major cast changes. From the planned reunion of Genie Francis’ Laura with her onscreen son Lucky, played by Jonathan Jackson, to the departure of Nicholas Alexander Chavez and guest appearances from SNL star Sarah Sherman and returning veterans like Emma Samms and Rick Hearst, the show has generated plenty of headlines.
Before joining General Hospital, Monaco played Livvie Locke on the show’s spinoff, Port Charles, earning her a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2003. She has consistently portrayed Sam McCall, except for three occasions when Lindsay Hartley filled in during 2020, 2022, and 2024.
Monaco’s co-stars have expressed their support, with Grahn’s message on Instagram hinting at a sense of solidarity and care. Bridget Moynahan, another long-time co-star, has also hinted at the emotional impact of the departure. While fans will miss Sam’s feisty spirit and her connections to some of the show’s most beloved storylines, the cast appears to be rallying around Monaco as she prepares to step away.
General Hospital continues to air weekdays on ABC and can also be streamed on Hulu and Spectrum On Demand.
