General Hospital star Laura Wright previews what's next as she celebrates 20 years as Carly Spencer

General Hospital fans recall 20 years ago when fan favorite Laura Wright became Carly No. 4 on the hit ABC soap opera. Now, the Daytime Emmy-winner is looking back at two decades as the Port Charles heroine, who always puts family first!

General Hospital, Laura Wright celebrates a long run

Laura Wright celebrates 20 years as Carly Spencer on General Hospital | Image: Disney/Christine Bartolucci

Wright brought soap opera experience to her role as Carly when she was cast in the role in 2005. First, she played Ally Rescott on both Loving and The City. Then, she hopped networks to play Cassie Layne on Guiding Light. She shared with TV Insider a chance encounter at the 1997 Daytime Emmys with Sarah Brown (who originated the role of Carly). Brown told a GH producer at the time that if she ever left the show, Wright could take on the part.

There were two other Carlys in between Brown and Wright -- Tamara Braun (Sienna, The Young and the Restless) and Jennifer Branson. When GL's future seemed up in the air, Wright returned to ABC and embraced the role of Carly.

Wright's agent talked to ABC about her deal at GL and was advised not to have her sign anything. However, she didn't know that the alphabet network had her in mind to take on the part of Carly. The actress has had a handful of leading men over the years, including Ingo Rademacher (ex-Jax), Roger Howarth (ex-Franco), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Jason (Steve Burton), and, most recently, Chris McKenna (Jack).

The show has required Wright to play dark moments, especially the tale that claimed the life of Carly's son, Morgan (Bryan Craig). "That was the most difficult and emotional," Wright says.

The next 20 years

Laura Wright always brings a smile to her role as Carly on General Hospital | Image: Disney/Bahareh Ritter

One thing Wright focuses on is never saying that Carly would "never do that" with rare exceptions. She embraces challenges, but also believes that Carly would never turn on Sonny, Jason, or any of her children.

As to the future, Wright says that fans won't see what's coming and that her next story will be very surprising. Currently, Carly is involved with Jack...or so he thinks! Carly is not happy that Jack kept secret from her her daughter Josslyn's (Eden McCoy) involvement with the WSB, the World Security Bureau. She's lulling him into a false sense of security.

Wright is a lifelong soap fan. She grew up watching Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) on General Hospital, and now, she can't believe she plays Luke's niece! She feels that Carly is the best female character on daytime. "I love her and I love every second of it," she enthuses.