Another week, another General Hospital New version.

As viewers of the ABC soap learned on Tuesday, Lindsay Hartley has once again been chosen as a temporary replacement for Kelly Monaco in the role of Sam McCall. (Soap veteran Hartley previously filled in for Monaco – briefly – in 2020 and 2022.)

More from TVLine

A GH The rep declined to comment on the reason for Monaco’s absence, but sources confirmed to TVLine that the actress was simply not up to par. Monaco, on the other hand, only missed the one episode, according to a GH Insider; she will be back on screen on Friday, January 5th.

This is the third time in as many weeks that GH had to abruptly recast one of its leading ladies. Last week, Nicole Paggi filled in for Kirsten Storms (aka Maxie). And in mid-December, relative newcomer Courtney Fulk began a six-week run as Joss, replacing Eden McCoy, who took time off to mourn the loss of her mother. McCoy is expected back on the air in early February. Storms returns on Monday, January 8.

“My mother has fought a difficult battle with cancer for the past two and a half years and has now physically left us,” McCoy shared in a Nov. 6 Instagram post. “I don’t know what to say other than she was, is and will be the best thing I have ever known. She is responsible for every good part of me and took me with her when she left.”

“If I can tell the reader anything, it’s that we are promised absolutely nothing,” she added. “We really aren’t owed anything. Your life can really change in an instant, so, as my mother would say, do everything as if it were the last time you’re going to do it.”

Days later, the newly crowned Daytime Emmy winner went to X (formerly known as Twitter) to wish fans “Happy Holidays.” She then confessed, “It’s been a strange year, but I still feel very lucky. I wish love and health to everyone reading this.”

The Best of TVLine

Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Þjórsárdalur, on facebook., Newsletter