Anna Devane has always been Emma Scorpio-Drake’s hero, which makes everything happening between them on General Hospital even more difficult for Emma to process. Emma’s portrayer, Braedyn Bruner, opened up to Soap Hub about Emma’s private struggle with her grandmother, the return of the character’s fiery side, her growing connection with Gio, and the GH veteran who has taken Bruner under her wing.
Key Takeaways
- Bruner loves digging into GH’s more emotional, difficult material. Finola Hughes has become a trusted mentor for Bruner. Bruner reveals which GH stars she hopes to work with next.
- Bruner on how Finola Hughes has become a trusted mentor.
- Bruner reveals which GH stars she hopes to work with next.
Joining A Legendary Family
Stepping into the role of a legacy character can be intimidating, especially when that character belongs to one of General Hospital’s most iconic families. But for Bruner, becoming Emma Scorpio-Drake has also meant getting to explore everything that makes the character a Scorpio — including the compassion, complicated family relationships, and fiery side that Bruner says is finally beginning to emerge again.
Taking over an established role presented one challenge for Bruner. Learning the unique rhythm of daytime television presented another.
“Soaps are a totally different beast, so that was already new in and of itself,” Bruner told Soap Hub. “Just getting the groove for that was really, really fun to figure out.”
Then there was Emma’s formidable family tree.
“She’s a legacy [character], and I come from the coolest family,” Bruner said. “My grandmother’s Anna Devane [Finola Hughes], my grandfather’s Robert Scorpio [the late Tristan Rogers], and then my parents are Robin [Kimberly McCullough] and Patrick [Jason Thompson], so I feel honored every day that I get to play this character.”
Bruner particularly appreciates that Emma isn’t simply defined by the characters who came before her.
“Something that I love about Emma is just how nuanced she is,” she explained. “She really does carry on all the characteristics of her bloodline, which I love.”
Emma And Anna’s Painful Story
Of everything Bruner has tackled since joining GH, it’s Emma’s recent material with Anna that stands out.
“As much as it can be hard for the audience to watch, I love this mental health storyline with Finola,” Bruner revealed. “I hope people can watch it, and while it’s painful and hard, I think that it’s an important story.”
The heavier material has also given Bruner something substantial to dig into as an actor.
“As much as we love the fun stuff, I really love digging into the hard stuff too,” she said.
That story has become even more complicated for Emma as she processes the fact that Anna nearly killed Britt (Kelly Thiebaud).
“I think it’s hard,” Bruner admitted. “Here’s the thing: Anna is Emma’s idol. It’s who she’s looked up to forever.”
That admiration goes all the way back to Emma’s childhood.
“Emma used to say when she was a kid that she wanted to be a spy, and that’s because she wanted to be like Anna.”
Standing By Anna
Despite everything that’s happened, Bruner doesn’t believe Emma will abandon her grandmother.
“I’m going to defend her regardless. I love her so much,” she said.
That doesn’t mean Emma isn’t wrestling with what Anna has done.
“I wouldn’t say that Emma’s not struggling on a personal level, probably when no one else is watching,” Bruner explained. “Emma’s going to have some things to work through on her own as well, but Anna’s getting help and getting therapy, so that’s the most important thing.”
Emma Gets Her Fire Back
Amid the heavier family drama, viewers may also be seeing more of another side of Emma — one Bruner has been eager to play.
“I like that Emma’s getting her edge back a little bit,” she teased. “She’s got the fight in her. I’ve missed that, so we see a little bit more of that.”
Bruner stressed that Emma hasn’t lost the qualities at the heart of the character.
“She still has the compassion, though, and the good heart, and she always means well,” she said. But when somebody crosses a line, “we can see that fire come out a little bit.”
Will Gio And Emma Grow Closer?
Emma isn’t the only one facing major family turmoil. Gio’s (Giovanni Mazza, who also recently spoke with us) own complicated family situation has helped strengthen their connection, and Bruner believes conflict actually brings something important to their relationship.
“It was sort of the catalyst,” she said of the aftermath of the Nurses Ball and everything that followed. “I think we do well with conflict. I think we balance each other out really nicely.”
With both characters dealing with problems inside their respective families, that ability to balance one another could become increasingly important. Whatever happens, Gio and Emma should be front and center.
Learning From Finola Hughes
Bruner’s relationship with Emma’s grandmother extends beyond what viewers see on screen. When asked who had taken her under their wing at GH, she immediately pointed to Hughes.
“Definitely Finola,” Bruner said. “I work with her so often. I screen tested with her, but she also has directed in real life, and if I ever have questions, we love to talk through scenes together.”
Hughes has also become one of Bruner’s resources for understanding the decades of history behind GH.
“She tells me about the history of the show, and she’s the best,” Bruner said. “I can go to her for anything.”
That support isn’t limited to Hughes.
“Everyone that I work with at General Hospital, there’s not a single person that is not supportive, kind, wants to help you out, genuinely wants you to succeed,” Bruner said. “I felt that from day one.”
Who She Wants To Work With Next
There are still several Port Charles residents Bruner would like Emma to cross paths with more often.
“I would love to work with Laura Wright [Carly],” she revealed. “I would love to do more stuff with Maurice, and then I always say this, but I’m a huge fan of Rick Hearst [Ric]. I think he’s awesome. And James Patrick Stuart [Valentin], honestly.”
Connecting With GH Fans
Bruner also recently got to experience the passion surrounding General Hospital firsthand during a five-city East Coast trip.
“We had a blast,” she said. “It went really fast, and I really enjoyed myself. The fans are amazing, and they were so excited.”
But it’s the personal stories viewers share that have stayed with her the most.
“My favorite part about fan interactions is hearing the stories that they have to say about what GH means to them or how long they’ve been watching or how it’s impacted them in some way,” she explained.
Bruner recalled meeting a fan who had just learned she had beaten cancer, as well as hearing from viewers who watched GH while undergoing chemotherapy.
“Those are the stories that mean so much to me,” Bruner said, “because I always say if a story can touch one person, then you’re doing a job well done.”
