General Hospital is the longest running American television serial drama, airing on ABC.^[1] Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, who originally set it in a general hospital (hence the title), in an unnamed fictional city. In the 1970s, the city was named Port Charles, New York.^[2] The series premiered on April 1, 1963.^[1] The following is a list of characters that have appeared on the soap opera in 2016, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by executive producer Frank Valentini and head writers Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman.^[3]

Matthew Mayes

Matthew Mayes, portrayed by Matt Riedy was introduced on January 11, 2016, as the new chief of neurosurgery at General Hospital.^[4][5]

When Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson) leaves General Hospital, Dr. Mayes takes on his patients including recently paralyzed mobster Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard). Sonny and Dr. Mayes clash over his course of treatment leading to Sonny requesting a new doctor. Later, Mayes takes on the wealthy Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) as a patient when she suffers from seizure and rejects the help of the young Griffin Munro (Matt Cohen). Assuming Tracy has brain cancer, Mayes orders a biopsy while Munro believes Mayes has misdiagnosed her. When the biopsy disproves the cancer theory, Mayes and Munro clash over the course of treatment. Tracy's sister-in-law Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson) contacts specicialist, Hamilton Finn (Michael Easton). Mayes is furious to learn that Finn and Munro have been consulting on Tracy's case behind his back and promises to get them fired.

Parker Forsyth

Parker Forsyth is a professor at Wesleyan University, played by Ashley Jones.^[6][7]

Casting

It was announced in late January 2016, that Jones would portray a character that involves Kristina Davis (Lexi Ainsworth).^[6][7]

Storylines

Kristina Davis (Lexi Ainsworth) comes home for Christmas in 2015. Kristina's sister, Molly Lansing (Haley Pullos), notices that something is wrong with her. In early January 2016, she opens up to her sister that she has been kicked out of Wesleyan University. By mid January, Kristina opens up again and tells her sister that she is attracted to her professor. In late January, Forsyth visits Kristina at her mother's home (Nancy Lee Grahn). Parker tells Kristina that they can not be together. She tells Kristina that she is married and does not want to cheat on her wife. In late March, Parker shows up at Alexis' home again to talk to Kristina. They briefly kiss. Parker stops the kiss and says that they cannot continue. Kristina's father, Sonny Corinthos (Benard) has Max Giambetti (Derk Cheetwood), investigate the professor. Kristina has Max stop the investigation. In early April, Alexis visits Parker in Middletown, Connecticut near the university. Alexis first accuses the professor of coming on to her daughter. As the conversation goes on, Parker tells her side of the story. She informs Alexis that she should support her daughter and be there for her.

Griffin Munro

Griffin Munro portrayed by actor Matt Cohen was introduced onscreen February 5, 2016.

Casting

Cohen's casting was announced by Soaps In Depth on January 16, 2016. Cohen was known for several guest stints in prime time, most recently ABC prime time legal drama, How to Get Away with Murder.^[8][9] There was very little information made available about the character ahead of his debut.^[10] Cohen's casting came on the heels of the soap losing one of it's longtime leading men Jason Thompson in the role of Patrick Drake, and the character's introduction would help replenish the hospital.^[11]

Storylines

Griffin bonds with mobster Sonny Corinthos (Benard) in the hospital chapel when they relate to losing a loved one to HIV/AIDS. Griffin is later revealed to be the new resident neurosurgeon and a friend resident trauma surgeon Lucas Jones (Ryan Carnes).^[12] Lucas and Griffin attended medical school together and though Lucas was a year behind him, Griffin always admired how good he was.^[13] He quickly realizes Sonny is concealing the truth about his paralyzed condition due to his work. He later comforts Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) after her house burns down. Griffin later apologizes to Sonny's wife Carly (Laura Wright) for having kept Sonny's condition secret from her. It is later revealed that Griffin has been stalking Anna Devane (Finola Hughes). Meanwhile, Griffin witnesses Tracy Quartermaine (Elliot) collapse from a seizure and convinces her with the help of her son Dillon (Robert Palmer Watkins) to admit herself to GH for treatment. However, Tracy prefers resident neurosurgeon Matthew Mayes (Riedy) as her doctor. Griffin clashes with Dr. Mayes when he believes Mayes has misdiagnosed Tracy's condition. Dillon personally request Griffin's second opinion. On March 14, Anna discovers some information about Griffin that leads her to believe he is connected to her late love, Duke Lavery (Ian Buchanan).^[14] Anna confronts Griffin who finally admits that he is Duke's son.^[15] Duke was involved with Griffin's mother before he left Scotland for Port Charles. After Griffin's birth, she attempts to contact Duke but decides against interrupting his new life with Anna opting to raise her son on her own.^[16] Meanwhile, when Mayes misdiagnoses Tracy and consults with specialist Finn Hamilton (Michael Easton) to help treat her. By April 2016, Tracy's health worsens and she requires surgery and picks Griffin over Mayes. Meanwhile, Griffin bonds with Anna's granddaughter Emma (Brooklyn Rae Silzer) who is visiting from California. He also urges Anna and Sonny to avoid seeking revenge on Carlos Rivera) -- the man who killed Duke.

Landon Dixon

Landon Dixon, portrayed by Troy Ruptash, was introduced on February 18, as an illegal arms dealer looking to meet with corrupt district attorney, Paul Hornsby (Richard Burgi).^[17]

Hamilton Finn

Hamilton Finn is an M.D, played by Michael Easton, and is a colleague of Monica Quartermaine (Charleson).

Casting

On February 2, 2016, executive producer Frank Valentini, posted that he asked Easton back to General Hospital.^[18][19] Easton was originally scheduled to appear on March 18, 2016. Due to the death of former First Lady Nancy Reagan and her funeral airing that day, it was pushed back to March 21, 2016.^[20]

Storylines

Munro has an idea that Tracy Quartermaine (Elliot) has an Infectious disease. Hamilton Finn is contacted by Monica Quartermaine (Charleson) to treat Tracy after chief of neuropathology, Matthew Mayes, confirms that Tracy does not have cancer. Finn comes to General Hospital to treat Tracy. He immediately clashes with chief of staff Liesl Obrecht. When Finn and Munro are conferring about Tracy's biopsy, Mayes is displeased that they chose to look at his patient's chart without his permission. Finn diagnoses Tracy with having ingested worms. The worms are attacking her brain. Finn wants to put Tracy on medication, but Obrecht refuses since he is not on the hospital stall. He has Monica fill the prescription. While walking Tracy around the hospital, she has another seizure. Finn tells the Quartermaine family that she needs surgery.

Naomi Dreyfus

Naomi Dreyfus, played by Robin Riker, is the mother of Hayden Barnes.

Casting

The announcement of the casting of Riker as Barnes' mother was May 11, 2016.^[21]

Storylines

In early June 2016, Dreyfus arrives in Port Charles in the midst of an investigation of the disappearance of Nikolas Cassadine (Tyler Christopher). She arrives on Spoon Island, specifically Wyndemere Castle, as Hayden (Rebecca Budig) and Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) are fighting on the floor.