General Hospital is constantly scrutinized for its writing. Soap opera writers have a tough job creating storylines for multiple characters. Although the ABC drama has a cast of over 50 actors, the show focuses only on certain stars. Laura Wright, Steve Burton, and Maurice Benard are considered the show’s Golden Trio. Their characters, Carly, Jason, and Sonny, are featured almost daily and shoehorned into stories they shouldn’t be involved in. The apparent favoritism toward certain actors has sparked backlash not only from fans but also from former writer Shannon Peace.
Shannon Peace Calls Out General Hospital for Unbalanced Writing
Peace worked as a breakdown writer for General Hospital from 2021 until her departure in March 2024. As the only black member of the writing staff, Peace was credited with bringing diversity to the show. She’s most famous for creating the popular couple Spencer and Trina, aka Sprina.
Peace’s recent exit comes in the midst of other staff changes. In January 2024, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor were fired as co-head writers and replaced by Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte.
Many fans were hopeful the head writer change would improve General Hospital, but so far things are the same. Carly, Jason, and Sonny are still center stage, while characters like Portia and TJ are barely seen.
Much like the viewers, Peace is annoyed with the unbalanced writing on the soap opera. Earlier this week, she posted a funny meme depicting the show’s favoritism. The meme showed Wright’s character, Carly, being the sole member in the opening credits. While Peace’s followers thought it was funny, some fans didn’t see the humor. Wright’s fans thought it implied that the actress was a diva and pulling strings behind the scenes.
After receiving harassment from loyal Carly fans, Peace posted an explanation on her Instagram stories:
I can’t believe this needs to be explained but my feeling that an ensemble show lacks balance – and posting a humorous meme that reflects that perspective (one shared by a sizable demographic of fans) – is NOT a direct criticism of any single character or the actor portraying said character.
Shannon Peace, Instagram
While fans are quick to blame actors for the biased writing of their characters, Peace said the showrunners are at fault.
If you feel personally hurt by the fatigue expressed by other fans, your beef should be with the decision-makers who center the same few actors to the point of over-exposure.
Episode counts don’t lie.
Shannon Peace, Instagram
Peace continued her post by asking fans to stop harassing actors and start asking General Hospital to give equal airtime to all cast members. She then posted March’s episode count that showed black actors had less than five episodes. The former writer ended her story by expressing pessimism that the new regime will write for a diverse audience.
It’s only been a month since Mulcahey and Korte’s tenure began. Fans and Peace will have to wait and see if the writing improves or if it’ll be more of the same.
