Monica Quartermaine died peacefully in the September 17 episode of General Hospitalclosing out nearly five decades of history with Leslie Charleson in the role. Rory Gibson, who plays Michael, opened up about how both characters will handle the heartbreaking loss.

Rory Gibson previews how Michael and Jason will mourn Monica after her death

As Monica’s grandson, Michael feels her death more than most.

In an interview with the Soap Opera DigestRory Gibson explained that Monica was his character’s anchor through life’s storms. “Michael’s life has been an unbelievable storm of chaos that is pretty unrelenting,” he said. “Monica has been one of the constant avenues of calm and peace… they were very close.”

Even though Gibson joined General Hospital after Charleson’s death and never shared scenes with her, the writing made clear that Michael often visited Monica. She grounded him in ways no one else could. Without her, he finds himself in an emotional spiral.

The weight of these scenes fell heavily on Gibson, but he credits Steve Burton, who plays Jason, for helping him bring authenticity to Michael’s grief. “Most of the scenes that I have regarding Monica are with Steve,” Gibson revealed. “The depth of emotion that he brought with him made it easy work on my part… it was incredible.”

As Monica’s son, Jason carries a different but equally crushing grief. Gibson described Burton’s work as unforgettable. “I was just playing off of Steve the whole time, and Steve, in these scenes, oh my God. He just really brought it. It was intense stuff, for sure.”

Burton’s performance struck such a chord that even the crew felt it. “He had a couple of scenes that had our directors crying up in the booth,” Gibson said. Jason breaking the news of Monica’s death brings one of the most vulnerable sides of the character fans have ever seen.

With Rory Gibson and Steve Burton guiding this story, General Hospital fans can expect a farewell that honors the legacies of both Monica Quartermaine and Leslie Charleson, who played the character.