“General Hospital” (GH) spoilers include rumors that the role of Ned Ashton will soon be recast. Olivia Falconeri (Lisa LoCiero) came back to Port Charles without her baby boy Leo and without Ned. Now fans want to know when Ned is coming back because they want the couple to resume their romance. Wally Kurth has returned to “Days of Our Lives” (DOOL) as Justin Kiriakis and there is no indication that he will vacate the role any time soon. So, what happens next for Ashton and Falconeri?
There aren’t many options – recast the role or make Ned an off-screen character, referring to him occasionally as Olivia checks in on Leo. Soap opera message boards have been humming about a new character named ‘Ash’ that may be arriving in Port Charles. Could this mysterious ‘Ash’ character be a cover for a new Ned Ashton? A GH casting call went out for a young male character referred to as Ash.’ Could ‘Ash’ be the new Ned Ashton?
There have been rumors that Michael Muhney is headed to “GH” since the announcement hit that he was unceremoniously fired from “The Young and the Restless.” Michael Muhney would be a fantastic recast – especially if the new writers at “General Hospital” want to add a darker and angrier layer to the Ned Ashton character – the guy who’s going to come back and battle Nikolas Cassadine (Tyler Christopher) for control of ELQ. Imagine what will happen when Julian Jerome (William deVry) finds out about Ned’s involvement in faking Leo’s death? Ashton could become major player in Port Charles again.
When speculating about a recast of Ned Ashton another actor’s name came to mind. Three-time Daytime Emmy Winner Michael E. Knight is no stranger to ABC daytime – and no stranger to playing the good guy-bad guy role. If TPTB at General Hospital could have cast Knight as Ned Ashton they would have had a home run in the chemistry department as well. In his time as Tad “The Cad” Martin on “All My Children” he romanced many a lady, including Marion Colby AND her daughter Liza – at the same time. Though he had many lady loves, the most memorable of love stories was opposite Cady McClain as Dixie Cooney. Sadly for GH, Knight’s hiring was announced on The Young and the Restless September to play new character Dr. Simon Neville.
There are some interesting options for TPTB to choose from if they are recasting the role of Ned Ashton – especially as the struggle for ELQ heats up. Ned needs to return to Port Charles and stand firm with the Q’s as they wrestle to regain control of their Quartermaine legacy. Come back to CDL for all your General Hospital news and spoilers!
