Charles Shaughnessy joins the cast of 'General Hospital'

During the 1980s NBC's DAYS OF OUR LIVES had several super couples. There were Bo and Hope Brady, Jack and Jennifer Devereaux, John Black and Marlena Evans, and Shane Donovan and Kimberly Brady. Charles Shaughnessy portrayed super spy ISA agent Donovan but left the soap and found fame on prime time in THE NANNY. The daytime veteran portrayed Maxwell Sheffield for 6 seasons and gained a new following among his fans. He returned briefly to DAYS and soon will have a role on ABC's GENERAL HOSPITAL.

The only detail that is known at this point is that Charles Shaunessy will arrive in September but the name of his character or a storyline has not yet been revealed. GENERAL HOSPITAL obviously enjoys keeping the viewers in suspense because it was announced during the spring that Cameron Matthison would be joining the action on the ABC daytime drama. Rumors of the character he would play and an air date were kept secret. It is now known that he will be a recast for Drew Cain who was last portrayed by Billy Miller. A date for Drew's return has still not been revealed and it's a possibility that Shaunessy's arrival could coincide with Drew returning.

Charles Shaunessy will be coming to GENERAL HOSPITAL on contract and between now and his first air date there certainly will be clues about the character that he will be playing. There currently is nothing taking place in Port Charles that would give any hint of who Shaunessy will be portraying or a connection to those already on the show. Right now fans are waiting for Hayden Barnes to return to her daughter and clear Shawn Butler of shooting her. Perhaps the British actor ma have a role in this storyline.

Shaunessy being British may or may not have anything to do with this new character but it's not likely that he will be a recast. He could be involved with Hayden or have nothing to do with her. The veteran actor might be a part of some of the current drama on GENERAL HOSPITAL or have his own unique storyline. Dr. Austin Holt has recently shown up in Port Charles and is expecting his share of the Quartermaine fortune. A recast for Spencer Cassadine is on the scene and hiding a big secret that should soon be revealed. Sonny Corinthos is alive and well and living in Nixon Falls and should regain his memory and return home at any moment.

Joey Novak has been showing up in recent episodes and is throwing his weight around and trying to intimidate Jason and Carly. Shaunessy's character could be involved in one of these storylines or another that is taking place on GENERAL HOSPITAL. It's also possible he will bring something new to the waterfront town. He might be a part of the mob scene or another doctor who is added to the staff. Is he yet another Quartermaine heir or perhaps related to someone else on the soap?

Charles Shaunessy was born into a showbusiness family as his father Alfred Shaughnessy, is a television writer who wrote the scripts for UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS. His mother Jean Lodge and his brother, David Shaughnessy, are both actors and David is also a television producer and director. GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers can only stay tuned for breaking news and updates to find out what role Charles Shaunessy will have in Port Charles.