‘General Hospital’ Casting News: Maurice Benard Resigns & Keeps Sonny Corinthos In Port Charles, ‘It’s Great To Stay Home’ [PHOTO]
His lock-up in Pentonville jail won't be the last fans of lead mobster Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) will see of him on General Hospital.
After a long negotiation period that didn't seem to be settling anytime soon, Bernard has officially confirmed that he has signed back on to the long-running soap opera, and that Sonny Corinthos is in town to stay-even if it is still all occurring while he serves his life sentence for murder in Pentonville.
"It's great to stay home for a little while longer doing what I love to do thanks for all your support couldn't do it without you," Bernard tweeted Dec. 26.
His resigning with the show was further confirmed by ABC Soaps In Depth, which reported that Sonny's dark days at Pentonville would still be delighting fans with endless amounts of entertainment.
"It all worked out," Bernard reportedly told the magazine.
Bernard previously spoke out about his extended contract negotiations, expressing his desire to continue working on the show if he could.
"My contract is up in December, and we're talking," he said at the time. "I'm just happy to take it day to day. I'm happy here. It's not about that. Usually, I have some strategy in negotiating, but maybe for the first time, it's simple."
Sinny has currently been serving his life sentencing for murdering Michael's (Chad Duell) biological father, AJ Quartermaine, and while his life outside of prison had begun crashing down around him before he wound up behind bars, he hasn't been having an easy time while locked away either. Since he was put away, he ran into old enemy Johnny Zaccara (Brandon Barash), and was forced to not only try and save his empire from being taken over, but tried rescuing his half-brother Ric (Rick Lansing) from being murdered as well.
General Hospital airs Monday-Friday at 3 p.m. on ABC.