General Hospital Bombshell: Kirsten Storms Takes an Extended Break

If you’re a General Hospital fanatic who tunes in religiously for your daily dose of Port Charles drama, brace yourself. Kirsten Storms, our beloved Maxie Jones and a mainstay on the soap for nearly two decades, has officially announced she’s taking an extended break from the show. And no, this is not just another quick vacation to a fictional spa. This is real life, a real move, and a real pause that has fans spiraling.

So what exactly is going on with Kirsten Storms, why is she leaving General Hospital, who’s taking over Maxie’s designer heels, and most importantly, when can we expect her back? We’re spilling all the tea.

After nearly 20 years of bringing Maxie’s sass, fashion, and constant romantic chaos to life, Kirsten Storms is hitting pause on her time in Port Charles. In a candid Instagram video, Storms dropped the bombshell that she’s relocating from Los Angeles to Nashville with her daughter Harper. And no, this isn’t a storyline twist or a cleverly disguised plot device. It’s a personal life move, and yes, she really means it.

But before anyone gets overly dramatic (looking at you, Spinelli), Storms was quick to clarify that she’s not quitting General Hospital. She’s just taking a break, and it's a well-deserved one. She even thanked ABC and the GH writers for being incredibly supportive, so there’s no scandal or shady contract stuff happening here.

While Storms has wrapped filming for now, fans won’t have to live in a Maxie-free world forever. She hinted at a potential return in November or December 2025. That means, barring any real life plot twists, she could be back under the bright hospital lights just in time for holiday drama, a surprise wedding crash, or maybe another baby reveal. (It is Maxie we’re talking about.)

In the meantime, Storms is expected to pop back briefly during the week of August 18 through 22. So you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled, because that’s likely our only glimpse of Maxie before she disappears for a few months.

Now let’s talk about the recast. Because you know soap fans have opinions when someone new steps into a long-standing role.

Actress Nicole Paggi is stepping in temporarily to play Maxie Jones. Her first appearance aired July 3, and if you missed it, yes, it was a little jarring. Paggi will also appear on July 30 and August 13. She’s definitely not a permanent replacement, but she’s got some big designer stilettos to fill and fans are already scrutinizing every blink and breath.

The good news is that producers clearly planned this out, and the writing is aiming to maintain Maxie’s essence even with the actress swap. Still, it’s hard to replicate that perfect mix of snark, vulnerability, and head-tilting that Storms brings to the role.

That said, a temporary recast is far better than writing Maxie off with another “emergency out-of-town conference” or sudden coma. At least this time fans are in on the plan, and we know it’s temporary. Kirsten Storms has been playing Maxie since 2005. That’s 20 years of onscreen chaos, epic love stories, and at least six hairstyles too many. So yes, some fans are emotional.

So to recap: Kirsten Storms is taking a break from General Hospital, moving to Nashville, and letting Nicole Paggi temporarily fill her Maxie-sized shoes. She’s already taped her final episodes for now but is eyeing a return later this year. In the meantime, viewers will have to adjust and maybe take up journaling to cope with the emotional void.

Maxie Jones is more than just a character. She’s a chaotic, endearing, fashion-forward mess of a human who brings heart and humor to every episode. And Kirsten Storms is the only one who truly brings her to life.

We’ll miss her. We’ll rewatch her best scenes. We’ll side-eye the recast (no offense, Nicole). But most of all, we’ll be counting the days until she’s back in Port Charles where she belongs.

Are you loving Nicole Paggi’s take on Maxie or counting the minutes until Kirsten Storms returns? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let the soap drama continue off-screen too.