When news broke two weeks ago that Michelle Stafford would be exiting General Hospital to reprise her role as Phyllis Summers on The Young and the Restless, many GH fans wondered what would happen to Nina. Now, we know that GH plans to keep the character on the canvas -- and which actress will be taking over the role.
People reports that Emmy-winning Guiding Light alum Cynthia Watros has been cast as Nina and will begin taping in early June.
In the network's the first official regarding Stafford's exit, ABC exec Nathan Varni offered "A huge thank you" to Michelle Stafford for her work on GH, saying that the show would miss her.
A huge thank you to @TheRealStafford for bringing the role of "Nina" to life in 2014, we will miss you greatly! I'm excited to welcome @watroswatros to @GeneralHospital this summer who will take over the role! https://t.co/IRGSa35Wyx
— Nathan Varni (@nathanvarni) April 11, 2019
Watros appeared on Guiding Light as axe-wielding Annie Dutton from 1994 to 1998, winning an Outstanding Lead Actress Daytime Emmy in 1998. She also filled in briefly as Vicky Hudson on Another World in 1998, and appeared as Kelly Andrews on The Young and the Restless from 2013 to 2015. In primetime, Watros might be best-known for her work on Lost.
Many fans had hoped that GH would tap Gina Tognoni, who was bumped from the role of Phyllis on Y&R by Stafford's return.
Stafford joined General Hospital in 2014.
GH executive producer Frank Valentini also took to Twitter to call the news of Watros' addition to the GH cast "bittersweet."
It's a bittersweet day. I love @TheRealStafford and wish her all the best. I'm also really excited about @watroswatros joining the #GH family and continuing Nina's legacy. @GeneralHospital https://t.co/A38aIIwGZ1
— Frank Valentini (@valentinifrank) April 11, 2019
A final GH airdate for Stafford has not been announced.
What do you think of the decision to recast Nina? Are you glad the character will be sticking around? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
