Swapping performers is common in the daytime world, but two shows have taken it to the next level: General Hospital and The Young and the Restless.
Who has the edge in this back-and-forth game of casting, though? Without a doubt, GH is the clear winner in its star stealing war with The Young and the Restless.
The Two Jasons
Y&R was riding high… for a while. The show snagged Steve Burton, who’d played Jason Morgan on GH for nearly two decades, to create the pivotal role of Dylan McAvoy, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and Paul’s (Doug Davidson) son, in 2013.
Then, the soap followed up by nabbing Jason Thompson, who rose to daytime fame as GH’s Patrick Drake, to take over the role of Billy Abbott in 2016. Within a three-year span, Y&R had confiscated two of GH’s most popular leading men.
Not that GH was standing by idly. The ABC soap was busy casting a slew of actors Y&R let slip through their fingers.
Maura West, who was killed off as Diane, surfaced as mob villainess Ava Jerome in 2013. That same year, a talented pair of actresses who played Abby on Y&R, won new roles on GH. Emme Rylan was named the new Lulu, while Hayley Erin became Kiki.
In 2014, GH added even more muscle to the Port Charles fold, and they were two-time and three-time Emmy winners for their Y&R roles.
Michelle Stafford, an icon as the irrepressible Phyllis, suddenly appeared as Nina Clay. Meanwhile, Billy Miller, a powerhouse as Billy Abbott, became Jason Morgan and later Drew Cain.
And last, but not least, Elizabeth Hendrickson, who was written off Y&R as Chloe, is now playing Margaux Dawson.
Winners and Losers
GH even scored a coup ultimately getting back one of its Jasons, Steve Burton, who opted to return as Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) lovable mob enforcer when his Y&R contract expired.
However, Y&R does have one leading lady, a mainstay for nearly 24 years, who was originally rejected by GH. Sharon Case, who plays Sharon Newman, was axed as Port Charles’ Dawn Winthrop, and it’s a move that fans and the powers-that-be at Y&R will forever be thankful for.
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