Vanessa Marcil (Brenda Barrett) will once again be leaving General Hospital. According to published reports, Marcil and executives at ABC were unable to come to terms on a new contract. Marcil returned to the fictional town of Port Charles last year after a four-year absence.
Marcil's return to General Hospital on September 4, 2002 was originally scheduled to be a short-term summer run. According to Marcil, she didn't want to return to soaps full-time because she wanted to spend time with her 10-month-old son, Kassius.
"When I signed a short-term deal last summer, I made it clear I'd have to see how my son responded to my going back to work," Marcil says in an interview with TVGuide. "And he hasn't responded well."
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With Marcil's stay lasting longer than originally anticipated, ABC executives pushed hard for the actress to sign a long-term commitment with the show. Marcil reportedly wanted significantly more money - even more than the show's top-earner Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer) - and a reduced work schedule.
"I'm really disappointed to be leaving, but I guess ABC's not willing to compromise on the things I need," Marcil says. "I have a lot more needs now that I have a child, and they need what they need to run a show smoothly."
General Hospital executive producer Jill Farren Phelps said in a statement, "We are disappointed by Vanessa's decision to leave but understand her desire to try new things. Vanessa will always be a very important part of the GH family and we wish her success in her future endeavors."
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Marcil's final airdate will be February 19th.
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