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For soap opera fans, checking in with their favorite characters and storylines is a daily ritual. And few shows are as beloved as General Hospital. The ABC series has aired since 1963, making it one of the longest-running scripted series in television history. 

But despite its longevity, 2020 has presented an obstacle General Hospital has rarely seen. Due to the coronavirus, the soap was forced to shut down production, leaving its fan-favorite cast off the airwaves. Now one of the show’s stars may have let slip when GH will return.

Tristan Rogers and Finola Hughes at The Hollywood Show
Tristan Rogers and Finola Hughes at The Hollywood Show | Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

‘General Hospital’ shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, soap operas — along with the rest of the entertainment industry — hit pause on ongoing productions. First, CBS mainstays The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful announced their own hiatus periods. Then soon thereafter, General Hospital followed suit with its own break.

As the shutdown continued, the show attempted to cover as much airtime as possible. ABC began airing new episodes four days a week instead of five. But the effort to keep the series up and running during the mandatory break wasn’t enough. On Thursday, May 21, 2020, General Hospital aired its final new episode.

Actor Tristan Rogers recently teased when production might resume

Since running out of new episodes, ABC has filled its General Hospital time slot with a glimpse into the past. That started off with old episodes centered on the series’ annual “Nurse’s Ball” event. But some fans are anxious to get back to the storylines already in progress. And Tristan Rogers — who plays Robert Scorpio — gave them some hope about when that might happen.

On June 5, 2020, Rogers took to Twitter to share that “production has been ok’d for June 12.” Understandably, fans began to get excited about General Hospital’s imminent return. Unfortunately, the actor later clarified this date was when California-based productions like GH could conceivably start back up. The show’s actual return to air is another matter entirely.

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So when will the ABC soap opera return with new episodes?

If General Hospital is cleared to begin production on June 12, what then does that mean for the show’s return? Since no announcement has been made yet, all fans have to go on is rumor and speculation. According to SoapDirt.com, GH still has to iron out some production details before cameras begin rolling again.

The most likely date shooting could resume is around June 22. If that holds true, the ABC soap would resume new episodes around the same time as CBS counterparts Y&R and B&B.

Since the soaps like to bank several weeks’ worth of episodes, fans might not see any new episodes for most of the summer. If production resumes in late June, expect General Hospital to be back full steam by late July or early August.

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