General Hospital star Michael Easton hints at 'finality' to his exit from the series but reveals he is 'not done' with soap operas

By Jacqueline Lindenberg For Dailymail.Com

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Michael Easton hinted that there was a 'finality' to his exit from General Hospital - after starring in the ABC series as Dr. Hamilton Finn since 2016.

However, despite saying goodbye to the show, the actor, 57, expressed his desire to return to soap operas during a recent interview with Soap Hub on Wednesday. 

Late last month -  he took to his main Instagram page to announce to his fans and followers in a candid video that he will not be returning to General Hospital. 

In regards to leaving his role, the star - who opened up about One Life To Live alum Kamar de los Reyes' final moments amid his cancer battle - stated, 'I think there was a finality [to my exit], and there was a finality for me to it, too.'

While there is a possibility Easton will not return to the General Hospital world, he added that he was 'not done' with soap operas in general. 

Michael Easton, 57, hinted that there was a 'finality' to his exit from General Hospital - after starring in the ABC series as Dr. Hamilton Finn since 2016; seen in 2023

Michael Easton, 57, hinted that there was a 'finality' to his exit from General Hospital - after starring in the ABC series as Dr. Hamilton Finn since 2016; seen in 2023 

'I'll [be] trying to find that right part, that next great story line…I don't know where that will come from.' 

Michael's exit from the hit series comes shortly after his character checked himself into rehab. 

While talking to Soap Hub, he expressed to the outlet that he had hoped to have more time to dive into the plot line. 

'From an acting standpoint, I would have liked to have just brought a little more subtlety and nuance to it.' 

Easton added, 'I had to get to a point very quickly. I was the beneficiary of a lot of really good writing and directing. I got to work with some really wonderful actors.' 

His spiral into depression and addiction occurred following the death of character, Gregory - played by actor Gregory Harrison - who also left the show this year. 

'I have such an affinity for Gregory [Harrison]. He's a wonderful actor. He's equally, if not more, wonderful as a human being. I became very close with him.'

Michael also gave a shout out to his other fellow co-stars, such as Finola Hughes, Rebecca Herbst, Nancy Lee Grahn, Josh Swickard and Jophielle Love - who played his on-screen daughter.  

In regards to leaving his role, the star stated, 'I think there was a finality [to my exit], and there was a finality for me to it, too'

In regards to leaving his role, the star stated, 'I think there was a finality [to my exit], and there was a finality for me to it, too'

He discussed saying his final farewell to Jophielle and admitted, 'That was the hardest goodbye of them all'; Jophielle Love seen in June in L.A.

He discussed saying his final farewell to Jophielle and admitted, 'That was the hardest goodbye of them all'; Jophielle Love seen in June in L.A. 

He discussed saying his final farewell to Jophielle and admitted, 'That was the hardest goodbye of them all.'

'I have a daughter [in real life], and so Jophielle and I had this immediate connection. People said that our relationship looked so natural, as if we’d known each other in past lives,' he explained. 

'I think [Jophielle] is going to do amazing things both as an actress and as a singer. She's going to do amazing things in life.' 

On June 26, Easton jumped to Instagram to uploaded a clip as he revealed his exit from the show shortly after filming his final scene. 

While standing outside of what appeared to be the studio after the sun had set, he emotionally began, 'I've always been partial to the Irish goodbye. That's where you leave the party without actually telling anyone you're gone.' 

'But I thought you all deserved better, so I just wanted to let you know that I just filmed my final scenes here at General Hospital.' 

He continued, 'I've loved every minute that I've been here. I want to thank the entire cast and crew for allowing me to share their stage these past 10 years.'

Michael made his first appearance on the show in a crossover as his One Life To Live character, John McBain, in 2012. And four years later in 2016, he became a main cast member as Dr. Hamilton Finn. 

Easton added, 'I had to get to a point very quickly. I was the beneficiary of a lot of really good writing and directing. I got to work with some really wonderful actors'

Easton added, 'I had to get to a point very quickly. I was the beneficiary of a lot of really good writing and directing. I got to work with some really wonderful actors'

On June 26, Easton jumped to Instagram to uploaded a clip as he revealed his exit from the show shortly after filming his final scene

On June 26, Easton jumped to Instagram to uploaded a clip as he revealed his exit from the show shortly after filming his final scene

'Most importantly, I want to thank all of you for the kindness and love you've shown me and my family. I won't ever forget you.' 

'And as I walk out here for the last time, and with apologies to the great Lou Gehrig, I feel like the luckiest man on the face of the Earth,' Easton concluded. 

He then continued to film as he silently walked away from the studio and took in his last moments on set. 

'It was a bit of a catharsis,' the actor told Soap Opera Digest of the video. 'My actual last scenes [that I shot] were with Josh [Swickard, Chase] in the car, and we shot it at the end of the night at the studio, but outside.' 

'I have such an affinity for Josh. He's a beautiful human being, ridiculously kind,' he added of his co-star. 

'There weren't a lot of people there; it was a very small crew and Josh and me, so he gave me a big hug and I got to hug all the crew, and I was able to hold it in and not shed any tears.' 

'After we were done, I just sat in my dressing room for about 45 minutes in the dark,' he recalled, adding, 'as I was walking out, I thought, "The hallways are empty. It's like a ghost town. Let's walk out the door and just say goodbye."' 

Michael is not only known for starring in General Hospital and One Life To Live, but has also made appearances in other television shows, such as The Practice and Ally McBeal; seen on One Life To Live with late co-star Kamar de los Reyes

Michael is not only known for starring in General Hospital and One Life To Live, but has also made appearances in other television shows, such as The Practice and Ally McBeal; seen on One Life To Live with late co-star Kamar de los Reyes 

Easton added, 'I just wanted to share something with the fans and and open myself up a little bit and make myself a little vulnerable.'

'I had already been very humbled that week, you know? It was a very humbling experience those last few weeks. I was pretty drained and down, and I thought, "Hey, let's just share this. Just be raw, live without a net."' 

Michael is not only known for starring in General Hospital and One Life To Live, but has also made appearances in other television shows, such as The Practice and Ally McBeal. 

For his role in General Hospital, Easton garnered a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2018 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.