Cassandra James Reflects on Loss, Legacy, and Casting Shakeups at General Hospital
By [Your Name] | Soap Stars Insider
Amid a whirlwind of changes and farewells on General Hospital, actress Cassandra James—known for her role as Dr. Terry Randolph—recently opened up about life on and off the set, sharing heartfelt memories and an optimistic outlook on the soap’s future.
While fans haven’t seen much of Dr. Randolph on-screen lately, James remains an integral part of the show’s fabric. In August 2024, she played a key role in Brad Cooper’s (Parry Shen) dramatic return to Port Charles, igniting a mix of tense, awkward, and hilariously memorable moments for viewers.
Offscreen, James recently spoke with the New York Post while attending Tarantino Pulp Rock, a live concert paying tribute to the iconic director’s film soundtracks. There, she addressed the recent passing of beloved General Hospital legend Leslie Charleson (Dr. Monica Quartermaine).
“We’re all really saddened by the loss,” James said. “To be honest, my favorite thing about Leslie was her wonderful sense of humor.” That humor, she recalled, lit up the set during scenes where Dr. Randolph was striving for a promotion under Monica’s leadership as Chief of Staff. “She had this very dry, funny sense of humor. She had me laughing on set—it was a great day,” James shared, smiling at the memory.
As if Charleson’s death weren’t enough to shake loyal viewers, the General Hospital fandom was hit with back-to-back announcements: Kelly Monaco’s exit from her iconic role as Sam, followed by Chad Duell’s departure as Michael. The news left many fans reeling. Adding to the storm, longtime fan favorite Brooklyn Rae Silzer was quietly replaced by Braden Bruner in the role of Emma Scorpio Drake.
Despite the upheaval, James remains hopeful. “Here’s the thing about a legacy like General Hospital,” she explained. “We’re turning 62 this year. While legacy actors may leave for any number of reasons, the world of Port Charles is so big—there are always amazing places the story can go.”
She reassured fans that exits don’t always mean final goodbyes: “There’s always legacy actors being shuffled around, coming back to the show—so you’re never really missing out for long.”
James also expressed deep gratitude for being part of the cast, describing the General Hospital team as a “big family.”
As the iconic soap approaches another milestone anniversary, it’s clear that the spirit of General Hospital—with all its twists, turns, and returns—lives on.
You can catch new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and stream them on Hulu.
Let me know if you want a shorter version for social media, or a Vietnamese translation!
