Is It REALLY The End For Hayden? Frank Valentini Won’t Count Her Out Yet

It looks like we may have seen the last of Hayden Barnes on General Hospital (GH) as she walked away from a stunned Finn – or have we?

While today was not her final episode, we do know the end is coming next week and fans are upset. But is there reason to hope for a return?

Michael Fairman recently interviewed executive producer Frank Valentini, and the two discussed the controversial exit of popular Rebecca Budig.

“She is a phenomenal actress. She had great chemistry with Michael Easton [Finn]. This story had come to a natural end.”

But, it doesn’t feel like a natural end, because it feels like there are still so many stories left to tell. Hayden was finally settling in to sisterhood with Liz (Rebecca Herbst), she had yet to meet her biological father Jeff Webber–as well as motherhood.

Soap Hub wishes this story had been used to continue her character’s development, but we understand business is business in soap land.

So, is this TRULY the end of Hayden in Port Charles? Valentini’s answer is something that gives us a bit of hope.

“Hayden could return … you never know what the future holds.”

Budig weighed in as well when asked by Soap Opera Digest. “If I had the chance to work with Michael Easton [Finn] and Becky Herbst [Elizabeth] again, it would be an easy decision.”

In Soap Hub’s vision of that perfect future, when Finn falls in love again, it will be just the right time for Hayden to reappear and throw his life into chaos–with his child in tow.

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. Share your thoughts, leave a comment in the section below. Win exclusive member-only GH spoilers, prizes, and more: sign up here! Also, join the conversation on our Facebook page.