General Hospital star Erika Slezak compares Viki’s confidence to Ronnie’s chaos

On General Hospital, Veronica “Ronnie” Bard has barely arrived in Port Charles, but she’s already stirring up the Quartermaines. Revealed as Monica’s secret sister in a recent episode, Ronnie wasted no time going head-to-head with Tracy (Jane Elliot) after being caught in the family crypt. That showdown was just the beginning, and according to Erika Slezak, who plays the mysterious newcomer, the friction between Ronnie and Tracy isn’t going away anytime soon.

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Slezak spoke to Soap Opera Digest and admitted that one of the greatest things about joining General Hospital was the chance to share scenes with Elliot. In the real world, the two have known each other for several decades, so the opportunity to work together was a huge selling point for Slezak. “Jane is a master class in acting,” she gushed, adding, “Every time she steps on the set, she is remarkable.” When executive producer Frank Valentini offered her the role, Slezak didn’t hesitate. “I went, ‘Yes, I will do it, because that would be such a treat, to work with such a talented, terrific lady.’ ”

The General Hospital storyline itself gave them plenty to play with. Ronnie is immediately at odds with Tracy, a dynamic that Slezak said was fueled by Elliot’s quick wit on set. “Jane said, ‘That’s the only reason you’re here, so I can be mean to you for three weeks,’” Slezak hilariously recalled. The crypt confrontation may have been their first clash, but it certainly won’t be their last. As she teased, “Ronnie is constantly confronted by Tracy, who just won’t let it go.”

Viki vs. Ronnie

But longtime fans can’t help but draw comparisons between Ronnie and Slezak’s iconic One Life to Live character, Victoria “Viki” Lord, whom she played for over four decades. But the General Hospital newcomer said the two characters couldn’t be more different. “Viki was a confident and strong woman,” she explained. “Ronnie is so out of her depth and doesn’t know what the hell’s going on when she steps into this town. It’s all she can do to sort of hold on and not let Tracy bully her around,” she remarked.

That contrast has made Ronnie especially fun to play, she explained, noting that playing such a different character was “delightful.” She also added that Ronnie “has a lot of levels.” For fans who watched her build Viki into one of daytime’s most beloved matriarchs, seeing her tackle a character in chaos is a new treat.

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Though Slezak has already wrapped her short General Hospital stint, she leaves behind a memorable mark. Ronnie’s arrival may be brief, but her presence reminds fans of the power that happens when soap royalty collides — even if it’s just long enough for Tracy to deliver her trademark Quartermaine scorn. (Find out how Slezak reunited with Chris McKenna.)

General Hospital can be seen weekdays on ABC and Hulu.

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