General Hospital Comings and Goings: Kathleen Gati returns as Liesl Obrecht

General Hospital is about to get a whole lot more interesting with the return of Liesl Obrecht, that tough-talking, militant doctor with a German accent, and a hidden heart of gold — for the people she cares about at least. Kathleen Gati is making her way back to the ABC soap she called home off and on since 2012.

General Hospital's Kathleen Gati is back

Kelly Thiebaud and Kathleen Gati are both returning to General Hospital | Image: JPI

It's been a year-and-a-half since Liesl left Port Charles to travel after losing her daughter, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), the year before. Liesl spent much of 2023 lashing out and blaming all the wrong people for Britt's death, leading to a split with boyfriend Scotty (Kin Shriner), who even wanted to marry her.

The former General Hospital chief of staff first arrived in PC 13 years ago, when she was revealed as Britt's mother and the former lover of Cesar Faison (Anders Hove). Once diabolical, Liesl softened over the years and became both a comical and conniving character, but forged some strong relationships before she left.

In 2014, we met Liesl's sister, Madeline (Donna Mills), and her niece, Nina (then Michelle Stafford, now Cynthia Watros), while also learning that Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) was the son she gave up to be raised by Madeline. After Nathan married Maxie, she also formed a strong friendship with her daughter-in-law.

What brings Liesl back to town?

Liesl never missed an opportunity to sing in public | Image: JPI

At the end of the July 11th episode, Rocco (Finn Carr) sent Liesl an email after learning that Britt was the woman who carried him for nine months and gave birth to him. It makes sense that Rocco's correspondence would prompt Liesl to fly back to the States to answer questions Rocco has about her beloved Britta.

"I have so much gratitude, appreciation, and love for all my fans!" Gati told Soap Opera Digest. "Over the past thirteen years, each individual message has meant so much, even if I don’t or can’t respond to them all. The love, the support, the loyalty, the excitement upon my possible return, it touches my heart in a way I cannot truly express."

When Liesl returns, will she somehow bring Brad (Parry Shen) with her? He is off in Europe, enjoying his own newfound fortune thanks to Drew. It's hard to imagine Britt (or at least a lookalike, since who Kelly Thiebaud will play hasn't been confirmed) and Liesl in Port Charles without Brad.

Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu.