General Hospital: A Surprising Character Evolution For Steve Burton?
Steve Burton prioritizes life balance and family, but his GH break might be exactly what Jason Morgan needs to evolve.
By now, you’ve likely heard the rumblings that General Hospital (GH) star Steve Burton takes a break from the ABC daytime drama. While the news of Jason Morgan’s departure sends fans into a frenzy of speculation, things might be a bit different from his last departure. Read on for more details.
A Candid Chat About Leaving
While it’s true that the real life Jason Morgan takes a hiatus, he also opened up about the heavy toll of his workload. That came recently when he joined Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli) on his That’s Awesome podcast on YouTube.
During the update, folks might have feared that the departure of Steve Burton might be permanent. And yes, plenty of stories arrive about that. Anyway, he got very candid about the exhaustion that comes with a soap opera schedule. Now, that might puzzle you, because GH fans know he’s not unused to that.
The Pressure Of Work
Still, many General Hospital fans don’t realize that while Jason Morgan looks chilled out on the screen, like many others on the ABC show, he tried balancing 60-page scripts and grueling 12-hour days.
Actually, it all seems too much for him as he’s newly married to Michelle Lundstrom. He told Anderson that after his return to Port Charles, the pace seemed relentless.
He admitted that the “demands of the job” started to outweigh the excitement of the set. So, he needed time for his mental health and his new life with Michelle.
Addressing The Contract Rumors
Of course, whenever a main General Hospital star like Steve Burton steps away, the “contract” word soon hits the headlines of tabloids and on social media. Already, rumors swirl that the hiatus might simply be a cover for contract negotiations.
Well, Frank Valentini already weighed in on the hiatus. But still, folks question whether Steve’s unhappy with his pay.
Well, the real-life Steve Burton addressed those rumors and speculation, telling Anderson it’s not a “contract dispute” in the traditional sense. Instead, he looks for a “life balance” contract.
Actually, GH fans shouldn’t be stunned by that. After all, he’s well known for sharing advice to his followers about physical and mental well-being. In fact, he wants to achieve that by being a husband first and an actor second. Unfortunately, it seems he hasn’t mastered that just yet.
The Angle Few People Talk About
While plenty of articles arrive on the “When will he return?” question, there’s an interesting angle developing. Steve mentioned that this hiatus might actually be good for the character of Jason Morgan.
If you think about it, Jason’s been “all business” since he returned. So, stepping away now gives writers a chance to take a different storyline with him.
When Steve returns this summer, ABC soap fans might see a new Jason: perhaps even like the real-life actor, looking for other ways to exist in the world of Port Charles. Maybe we’ll even see a “softer” character.
A Jason-Free Spring
Naturally, the reaction from ABC fans brought differing reactions. In fact, some of them say things like “here we go again.” But perhaps those reactions simply reflect their disappointment. Because, most people seem supportive.
In the comments section, one fan wrote, “So happy that Steve is able to take this break and still be on the show!!..But family and a happy life is so important…”
Here are a few more responses from the discussion:
- Steve Burton you are a stellar guy, you are filled with love and purpose. Enjoy your life, you’re right, one never knows. Stay happy, ignore the nay sayers.
- Love that we live in an age where we get this detailed and unfiltered insight into coming and going.
- So ridiculous that people would criticize someone taking a vacation from their job. Just crazy! Enjoy yourself and we’ll see you on March 23rd. Can’t wait!
What are your thoughts? Do you think Steve’s “life balance” hiatus might actually make Jason Morgan a better character when he returns? Let us know in the comments below, and come back here often for all your General Hospital cast news and updates.