If you think perhaps watching Duke die was just a dream, think again. Ian Buchanan has really left the show.
It's been a heartbreaking week on General Hospital, which served up an emotional twist that ushered fan fave Ian Buchanan off the canvas.
Tears across America rolled as Duke, who was shot in a struggle with Carlos Rivera (Jeffrey Vincent Parise), shared his final moments with Anna (Finola Hughes) then died on a hospital table.
As fans may recall, the rumors of Buchanan's impending exit surfaced earlier this spring. Though at the time it was just speculation, this week's storyline proved it all true.
Love General Hospital, B&B, DAYS or other soaps? Join the conversation on our SC boards! Click here to connect with fans and dive into discussions now
Says the actor to Soap Opera Digest: "I'll miss doing my work at the pace that we work there. I'll miss the hair and makeup people and that camaraderie. I love all the crew, I really do. These are people I've known for 30 years. Finola and I have been very fortunate. General Hospital was my first family as an actor and we had a great working relationship, and to go back and for she and I still to set the same standard for each other on a daily basis was just pretty remarkable, almost 30 years later."
Buchanan, who originated the role of Duke in 1986, returned to the GH canvas in 2012. Prior to reclaiming the Port Charles role, he starred on Days of our Lives as Ian McAllister, The Bold and the Beautiful as James Warwick, and All My Children as Greg Madden.
What do you think of GH's decision to let Buchanan go? Would you like to see him appear on another daytime soap? And what would you like to see for Anna's storyline in the months to come? 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.
Enjoyed this article? Join the conversation in our General Hospital forum! Click here to connect with fans and dive into discussions now.