The Real Reason Behind Vinessa Antoine’s General Hospital Exit

General Hospital fans were shocked when Vinessa Antoine suddenly left the role of Jordan Ashford in 2018 to take a gig on the Canadian primetime series, Diggstown.

Vinessa Antoine Speaks Out

While it’s not shocking that Antoine would want to return to her native Canada for a titular role in a major series, it was surprising that GH replaced Antoine with actress Briana Nicole Henry. Now, we learn the original actress didn’t want to leave the role at all, especially with only six episodes of her primetime series ordered.

“I thought that I would get to stay. It was quite a shocker for me. I never planned to leave the show. I was hoping to get to do what the other actors get to do…go on a little sabbatical,” Antoine recently told TV Water Cooler as Diggstown heads into a second season.

“I knew that we were only going to be gone for the summer, so I thought maybe my character could go away on an undercover mission or fall into a coma. But they had other plans, which was out of my control.”

Missed GH Opportunities

In fact, GH recast Jordan right before she was set to marry Curtis, making the wedding of a popular couple quite odd with a new actress playing the bride. (And a new actor playing the bride’s son, but that’s a whole other story.)

“We had all these plans to do this really cool wedding and of course when we’ve got all this wonderful footage of Curtis and Jordan from over the years,” she continued. “We could have cut together this really cool walk down memory lane and we thought of some wonderful songs that spoke to their relationship.

“I really wanted to give the audience that moment. As much as I am happy to be where I am now, I think that [not getting to do that wedding] will always be a sore spot for me. I wanted to give the audience that soap opera wedding moment. It’s something we all crave.”

Since Antoine’s departure, Jordan has gotten some major storyline, especially when the character was struck by a car and needed a new kidney last year. Her kidney turned out to be stolen from serial killer Ryan Chamberlain, so it was quite a soapy tale.

However, Antoine is happy where her life is now and excited for Diggstown’s second season — which will add some romance. “There’s a nice surprise. [Marci will be] be dating. Some of the other cast members will also be dating – and there’s a love triangle coming up. Avery and Marci perhaps might be dabbing in some taboo romance.” General Hospital (GH) airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for airtimes.