Is General Hospital head writer Shelly Altman ready to put down her pen and give someone else the writing power in Port Charles?
General Hospital viewers may want to brace themselves for a big change that could alter life in Port Charles this fall. Rumor has it the ABC soap's head writer Shelly Altman is getting ready to retire.
Soap Central has learned that Altman, who currently shares head writing duties with Chris Van Etten, is gearing up to walk away from the fictional world of drama in Port Charles and will do so at the end of the summer. Daytime Confidential, which was the first to report the news of Altman's impending exit, says that current breakdown writer Dan O'Connor will join Van Etten as the co-head writer of GH once Altman vacates her position.
Altman stepped into the role of co-head writer alongside Jean Passanante in October 2015, replacing Ron Carlivati, who went on to take over head writing duties at Days of our Lives. Passanante retired in July 2017, with writer Chris Van Etten being brought in to replace her. Some of Altman's other daytime drama head writing credits include Another World, One Life to Live, and The Young and the Restless.
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If O'Connor indeed steps up as co-head writer of GH, viewers may not see too many changes in Port Charles; he has been writing for the ABC soap opera since 2013.
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