On General Hospital, Sonny and ADA Justine Turner finally did what everyone expected. Months of intense glances and tense, controlled, intimate conversations led to a kiss. It wasn’t gentle or safe; it was electric. Then she slapped him, of course. The tension didn’t fade—it intensified. In a new interview, Maurice Benard explains why this pairing works, why the slow build was important, and why he believes the chemistry just clicks.
Key Takeaways
- Sonny and Justine’s slow-burning tension finally erupted into a kiss that heightened the stakes.
- Maurice Benard says the pairing works because of real chemistry, not recycled plot.
- He praised Nazneen Contractor’s talent and said their scenes feel right.
- Benard supported the gradual build, calling the kiss organic and earned.
- Sonny believes Justine would not prosecute him, even if that confidence is risky.
Chemistry Over Cliché
Benard talked to Soap Opera Digest about Sonny’s latest love story and didn’t hold back his enthusiasm. “I’m into everything at this point,” he said. “I’m into ADA Turner. It’s been really cool. She’s a really good actress, and it works on every level for me.”
He said he knew early on that Nazneen Contractor could go there with him. For him, the test is simple: “First and foremost, I knew she could act, and I was excited about that,” he explained. If his scene partner can do what they need to do, he settles in and trusts the work. With Contractor, he does not question a beat. It clicks. He even joked that she is “the perfect height,” noting, “It just feels right.”
Benard also pushed back against the idea that this is just another recycled Sonny-falls-for-the-law storyline. He argued that every story has been told before. What matters now is the spark. “It’s not the story at this point, it’s the chemistry.”
A Slow Burn That Feels Real on GH
Benard appreciated that the writers took their time. He felt that a slow-burn was in order. If it moved too fast, it would feel contrived. But this current story does not.
He described the first kiss as organic. “It wasn’t planned. It was more in the moment.” He loved where it happened and how it played out. Even the slap felt earned.
Regarding Sonny’s confidence that Justine won’t prosecute him, Benard challenged the contradiction. “Sonny doesn’t believe that at all,” he said about Ric’s (Rick Hearst) warning that she’s playing him. Sonny thinks he pressed a button. He once planned to make her fall hard enough to shield himself, but now he believes she wouldn’t turn on him. Smart or not, that belief keeps the fire burning. (Find out how Anthony Geary helped define Benard’s GH legacy.)
