Soap Opera
Chad Duell Never Expected ‘General Hospital’ to Recast Michael: What He Says About His Soap Future
Chad Duell opens up about leaving ‘General Hospital’ after 15 years, his surprise at being replaced, burnout, and possible future return to daytime soaps.
Chad Duell shocked the General Hospital fandom in November of 2024 when he took to Instagram and announced his plans to leave the role of Michael Corinthos behind after 15 years and one Daytime Emmy, but he wasn’t sure at the time if the exit would be permanent.
Duell Opens Up About His GH Exit
Duell later explained that he wanted to take time away from Hollywood after 15 years to be with his young son after the passing of his own father. He wasn’t sure if he would return to GH, but he also didn’t think that another actor would be playing Michael by May.
In a recent Q&A with Michael Fairman TV, Duell further explained that he was becoming burnt out, but that he thought he was only taking some time off.
“People know when you’re doing something for so long or your character is kind of in the same place for so long or doing the same stuff over and over again, you do get a little burnt out, you get a little stiff, stale, a little stiff at times,” Duell said, adding that he was surprised when GH cast The Young and the Restless alum Rory Gibson as the new Michael.
“[I was thinking] I’m taking some time away, we’ll see what happens,” he explained. “Obviously, they decided to go in a different direction with Michael when I was gone. I didn’t think they were going to bring somebody back in my place. But you know, it’s the business. You never know what can happen.”
During his time away from the soap grind, Duell has been spending time with his girlfriend Luana Lucci and his almost three-year-old son, Dawson. He has also been recording music under the name Duelly and dropped a single called “If You Need Me” in June. However, he said he is open to a return to soaps one day if the right opportunity came along.
“I know people over at The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless,” he said. “They know that if they’re interested, I would love to come in for a screen test or something, and they can see what I’m doing.”
