10 General Hospital characters that should’ve never been killed off 

For more than six decades, General Hospital has enthralled viewers with memorable characters, dramatic plot surprises, and tragic losses. Some were essential for the needs of the story, but others were hurried, unnecessary, or downright unjust.

In most instances, the losses of much-loved characters not only deprived the show of good storytelling but also undermined family traditions and love storylines.

From central family characters such as AJ Quartermaine and Emily Quartermaine to fan favorites like Jason Morgan and Nathan West, GH has a history of disposing of characters who still had lots of stories left to tell. Others, such as Duke Lavery and Silas Clay, were casualties of bad creative decisions, while the big villains such as Helena Cassadine, also left things undone.

Even deceased characters from years ago, such as Georgie Jones and Courtney Matthews, would have been able to make impactful contributions to today's show. This is a look back at ten General Hospital characters who were never supposed to be killed off, each an enormous loss that changed the path of the show in ways they might have otherwise avoided.

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1. Jason Morgan

The death of Jason Morgan in 2021 left a gaping void in General Hospital. Though Steve Burton temporarily reprised the role in 2024, his ongoing absence continues to frustrate fans. As Sonny Corinthos's right-hand man, Jason was a staple of Port Charles, combining risk with allegiance. His on-screen romances with Sam, Elizabeth, and Carly are still the stuff of legend. Killing him off for the second time seemed unnecessary, particularly when earlier "deaths" had been reversed. With the show's history of resurrection plots, many still hope Jason will return permanently.

2. AJ Quartermaine

AJ Quartermaine was always the black sheep of the family, but his 2014 demise was a misstep in storytelling. Years of struggling with alcoholism and being eclipsed by Jason made AJ's return in 2012 all the more redeeming. His feud with Sonny and nuanced relationship with Michael were building to a boil when he was offed by Sonny himself. Considering Michael's subsequent estrangement from Sonny, AJ's survival would have enriched the Quartermaine vs. Corinthos rivalry. With GH having recently revived the Quartermaine family drama, his presence would have been dynamite in terms of storytelling.

3. Georgie Jones

Georgie Jones's 2007 murder is still one of GH's saddest on-screen deaths. Maxie's little sister was the center of the show's younger set. She was smart, sweet, and had undeniable chemistry with Dillon Quartermaine, which made her a favorite among fans. Her death at the Text Message Killer's hands came across as shock value instead of quality storytelling. In 2024, Maxie still grapples with personal issues, and Georgie's presence might have anchored her. As a voice of reason for Maxie or as a love interest for another character, Georgie had so much more to bring.

4. Emily Quartermaine

Emily Quartermaine's 2007 death broke the hearts of General Hospital viewers. She was a favorite among the Quartermaines and was Nikolas Cassadine's true love. Emily added emotion to the series. Being killed at the Black and White Ball was an unwarranted act of cruelty. GH has only hinted at her return through visions and doppelganger characters, but nothing fills the void for real Emily. With Nikolas's recent return and the Quartermaines once again being front and center, Emily's return would have been normal. Her medical practice, her friendships, and her family relationships made her an integral character who should not have left Port Charles.

5. Duke Lavery

Duke Lavery's 2012 return was thrilling, only to be offed once again in 2015. His classic love affair with Anna Devane was soap legend stuff, and their chemistry remains current today. Duke's ties to the mob and WSB made him a versatile character who could have been better utilized. With Anna still being threatened by the past and Sonsony's organization constantly evolving, Duke's presence would have added depth to the storylines. The fans never really accepted his last death, and with GH's history, resuming would make more sense than his first exit.

6. Nathan West

Nathan West's 2018 on-screen death caused shock waves on General Hospital. His romance with Maxie was one of the show's most authentic and most endearing on-screen relationships. The fact that he was killed by his own father, Cesar Faison, was too senseless, making Maxie a widow and their unborn baby fatherless. With GH still reviving legacy characters and delving into family legacies, Nathan's existence could have been a turning point. His son, James, is coming up without him, and Maxie's love life has been such a mess since. His return, even as a recast, would be a sweet surprise.

7. Courtney Matthews

Courtney Matthews's death in 2006 is one of the most controversial departures on General Hospital. Sonny's sister and love interest for Nikolas, Courtney, had long-standing ties in Port Charles. Her hasty death due to a virus epidemic seemed uncalled for, and her loss was felt in the Corinthos as well as the Cassadine clans. With Spencer Cassadine becoming a major young character today, Courtney could have played a defining role in his growth. Instead, she's only been seen as a ghost. A return through a death fake-out plotline or flashbacks could provide new dynamics, particularly with Nikolas's complex past.

8. Silas Clay

Silas Clay's 2015 murder was an infuriating waste of a rich character. Portrayed by Michael Easton, Silas is a brilliant doctor involved in several complicated love affairs. His stoic strength and dark past were compelling, but his storylines tended to bomb because the writing was never consistent. To kill him off instead of giving his potential a chance seemed like an error, particularly considering Easton's subsequent return as Hamilton Finn. While Finn forged his own niche, Silas' medical background and family connections (daughter Kiki) might have given more depth of character. His untimely death still feels like a wasted chance.

9. Connie Falconeri

The senseless murder of Connie Falconeri in 2013 ended one of General Hospital's most vibrant female characters. Connie, the fiery editor of Crimson and Sonny's former girlfriend, added humor, toughness, and depth to the show. Her DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) saga was a sensitive, well-executed mental illness story, and her romance with Sonny was complex but intriguing. Her sudden demise at Ava Jerome's hands came across as abrupt, particularly given that Ava experienced few long-term repercussions. Crimson has continued to be significant on GH, and Connie's inclusion would have amplified its significance in the show's contemporary era.

10. Helena Cassadine

Where some villains are worthy of a definitive demise, Helena Cassadine was too iconic to kill off for good. Her on-again-off-again death in 2016 has been in question ever since, as GH still refers to her legacy. The Cassadines are still a staple of the show, and no one plays mind games like Helena. Valentin, Spencer, and Nikolas have all been influenced by her presence—why not actually bring her back? With her past history of staging deaths and playing the long con, Helena's return would be credible. A return by Helena could reinvigorate the Cassadine legacy in a way the show so desperately requires.