Laura Wright's Unstoppable Two Decades as General Hospital's Carly Spencer

From a chance encounter to a daytime legend, Laura Wright reflects on 20 years of playing the iconic, complex Carly Spencer on General Hospital and hints at what's next for her beloved character.

TL;DR

• Laura Wright officially celebrates her 20th anniversary as Carly Spencer on General Hospital this November 4, 2025.
• Her long road to playing Carly began with a serendipitous meeting with the original actress, Sarah Brown, at the 1997 Daytime Emmys.
• Wright embraces Carly's intricate flaws and unwavering strength, teasing fans with "surprising" new storylines on the horizon.

A Fateful Bathroom Chat Paved the Way for a Soap Opera Icon

Imagine this: it's the 1997 Daytime Emmy Awards. Two actresses, Sarah Brown (then playing Carly on General Hospital) and Laura Wright (starring as Ally Rescott on Loving), find themselves laughing and talking in a bathroom. Brown, pregnant at the time, turns to GH executive producer Wendy Riche and, with a casual wave towards Wright, declares, "If I ever leave the show, she needs to play Carly." Talk about a premonition!

Eight years later, that offhand comment became reality. Wright, who grew up watching General Hospital, wasn't actively looking for a new role. She had spent eight years playing Cassie Layne on Guiding Light, a run she "loved every part of." However, she began to sense "shifts and changes" and a general unhappiness among the cast and crew, prompting her to consider a change. This feeling led to her agent's call to ABC executive Brian Frons, who had previously shown interest in her contract. Frons' advice? Don't re-sign with Guiding Light. "There's something happening," he teased, setting the stage for Wright's Port Charles debut on November 4, 2005. (Source: TV Insider, "Laura Wright celebrates 20 years as Carly on 'General Hospital,' November 5, 2025" and Daily Soap Dish, "‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Laura Wright Celebrates Twentieth Anniversary Playing The Iconic Role Of Carly Spencer!," published 23 hours ago)

Embracing Every Layer of a Flawed, Fierce Character

Wright arrived as the fourth actress to portray Carly, following Sarah Brown, Tamara Braun, and a brief stint by Jennifer Bransford. Yet, she quickly made the role her own, diving headfirst into Carly’s complex personality. "I felt like I couldn’t wait to play Carly, like all the characters I had before were there because I was going to play Carly," she shared with Soap Opera Digest in 2021. She carved out a Carly who is both tough and vulnerable, a character that resonates deeply with viewers.

Over two decades, Wright has explored Carly through countless dramatic twists and turns, including high-stakes romances and heart-wrenching losses. When asked about her favorite storylines, she lights up. She "loved when I worked with Ingo [Rademacher, who played Jasper 'Jax' Jacks] and the Jax and Carly story," admitting, "We wanted them to be the Ross and Rachel of daytime television." Their relationship led to the birth of their daughter, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy). She also cherished the "total train wreck" dynamic with Todd Manning (Roger Howarth) and the "sexy and dark" bond with Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard).

The Deepest Cuts: Morgan's Tragic Death and Carly's Unyielding Spirit

However, not all storylines are fun. The most challenging for Wright, by far, was the death of Carly’s son, Morgan Corinthos (Bryan Craig), in 2016. "That was the most difficult and emotional," Wright shared, crediting her "incredible castmates" like Maurice Benard, Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie Spencer), Maura West (Ava Jerome), and Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) for making it through together. Such a profound loss on-screen can take a toll, demonstrating the deep emotional commitment actors bring to their roles.

Wright's powerful portrayal of a grieving mother during this period earned her widespread acclaim. It was also earlier in her tenure, in 2010, that she took home a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress, for scenes centered around Michael's imprisonment. (Source: Soap Opera Digest, "Here is Wright in 2005, in her very early days as Carly...", 2005 article snippet from 2022 Digest interview)

"I love how real she is. I love that she’s flawed. I love her justification for how she feels she has a right to Jason, and I love how she goes along this crazy path of justification. I love the little girl that we get to see in her sometimes because she’s afraid, and I love that she’s Scarlett O’Hara at the same time. She’s tough as nails and will slam someone up against the wall if they come near her kids. I love that she’s a brat, yet she’s just one of the strongest females on the show. I feel like Carly’s right a lot, but she just goes the wrong way about proving her point."

— Laura Wright on playing Carly Spencer

Navigating Controversial Storylines and Character Nuances

Laura Wright's approach to acting is admirable: she refuses to say, "My character would never do that." She believes "every story can be played," embracing the unexpected paths writers create. This open-mindedness allows Carly to evolve and surprise audiences, even if some choices might seem out of character on the surface. Her main boundaries? She wouldn't play Carly turning on Sonny or Jason, or intentionally hurting her children.

A recent example highlights this: Carly is currently embroiled in a revenge plot against WSB Bureau Chief Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) because he recruited her daughter, Josslyn, as a spy. While some fans might have enjoyed the chemistry between Carly and Brennan, Carly's unwavering protective instinct for her children takes precedence. She’s teamed up with Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) to take Brennan down. This shows a limitation of her character – while she’s open to many narratives, messing with her kids is a non-negotiable line, even if it means sacrificing a new romance. It's this deep-seated loyalty that often fuels her "crazy path of justification," where her intense feelings for her family lead her to questionable, but understandable, actions.

Another area where Carly’s complexities shine is in her rivalries. While she's had many, Wright specifically pointed to Brenda Barrett (Vanessa Marcil) as "the greatest rival of the heart" for Sonny. Carly, a tough blonde, saw Brenda, a "tiny, with long, beautiful, brown hair," as a completely different visual and couldn't compete with Brenda being Sonny's "first love." It's a fascinating look at the internal insecurities even a strong character like Carly can harbor, showing that even the fiercest women have their vulnerabilities when it comes to love.

Two Decades and Not Slowing Down: Looking Ahead for Laura Wright and Carly

As she marks two decades in the role, Wright is energized. "I’m just in shock because when I was in my 20s, all I heard was, 'You’re out by 40,' and I haven’t slowed down at all," she candidly shared. (Source: TV Insider, "Laura Wright celebrates 20 years as Carly on 'General Hospital,' November 5, 2025" and Daily Soap Dish, "‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Laura Wright Celebrates Twentieth Anniversary Playing The Iconic Role Of Carly Spencer!," published 23 hours ago) At 55, she feels incredibly fortunate, still relishing every moment on set, especially playing the niece of Luke Spencer and daughter of Bobbie Spencer, characters she watched growing up.

What’s next for Carly? Wright is keeping tight-lipped but promises something big. "No one’s going to see it coming," she teases. "It’s going to be very surprising, and we’ll see what happens. I just know that it’s going to be fun and very sneaky, and it’s interesting." With Carly's track record for drama and Wright's dedication to embracing every storyline, fans are sure to be on the edge of their seats.

Practical Takeaways for General Hospital Fans

• Tune In for Potential Anniversary Recognition: While not confirmed, Laura Wright's 20th anniversary on November 4, 2025, might coincide with "November sweeps," potentially bringing Carly-centric storylines.
• Watch for Carly's Revenge Against Brennan: Her current plot against Jack Brennan, fueled by her daughter Josslyn's involvement, is a major ongoing storyline with explosive potential.
• Don't Expect a "CarSon" Reunion Soon: While fans often hope for Sonny and Carly to reunite, Wright indicated in a recent podcast that they're "not there yet," despite the possibility always being "available."
• Appreciate Carly's Complex Layers: Laura Wright's commitment to playing Carly's flaws, strength, and vulnerabilities ensures that even after two decades, the character remains dynamic and engaging.

FAQ: All About General Hospital When does General Hospital air? General Hospital airs weekdays. You should check your local ABC listings for exact times in your area. Where can I watch General Hospital? You can catch new episodes on ABC. Many episodes are also available for streaming on Hulu or the ABC app. What is the typical rating for General Hospital? General Hospital is generally rated TV-14, meaning some content may be unsuitable for viewers under 14 years of age, often due to mature themes and intense situations common in daytime dramas.

Sources:

• TV Insider, "Laura Wright celebrates 20 years as Carly on 'General Hospital,' November 5, 2025"
• Daily Soap Dish, "‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Laura Wright Celebrates Twentieth Anniversary Playing The Iconic Role Of Carly Spencer!," 23 hours ago
• Soap Opera Digest, "Here is Wright in 2005, in her very early days as Carly...", (Excerpt from 2022 Digest interview discussing her early days)
• Swooon, "Laura Wright Wanted Jax & Carly To Be ‘General Hospital’s Ross and Rachel," November 4, 2025