General Hospital Casting Stunner: Chris McKenna OUT as Jack Brennan

Jack Brennan survived Cullum's attempt on his life thanks to Nina's arrival on General Hospital. Now, however, comes word that Chris McKenna, who plays Brennan, is leaving the show.

Jack, Be Nimble

Jack Brennan recruited Josslyn (Eden McCoy) into the WSB | Image: ABC

Soap Opera Network broke the news that McKenna will be leaving the show this fall. And Brennan may have trouble returning, as the report revealed that the character will be killed off! (But has death ever stopped a character from returning?)

The report revealed that Brennan will die as GH revs up storylines revolving around the World Security Bureau (WSB), the fictional law enforcement agency that was introduced onto GH in the early 1980s during the Ice Princess saga.

Stakes were raised when it became known that the ominous-sounding WSB wanted to track down the Ice Princess!

Over the years, numerous characters -- Sean Donley (the late John Reilly) and Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) -- have been involved with the WSB. Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is a more recent inductee.

From Llanview to Port Charles

Nina and Brennan spark on screen | Image: ABC

McKenna came to GH in February 2025, taking over the role of Jack Brennan from Charles Mesure, who vacated the part suddenly. McKenna had worked with GH executive producer Frank Valentini when the actor was a teenager and played Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live, the show on which Valentini later became executive producer.

During McKenna's run as Jack, he recruited Josslyn into the WSB after she killed Cyrus (Jeff Kober) in self-defense. Jack's decision to do this -- and keep it from Carly (Laura Wright) -- eventually ended their romance.

During a battle with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), Brennan fell into a state of paralysis after Nina (Cynthia Watros) accidentally injected him with a drug that was meant for Valentin.

While helpless, Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) put a gas mask on Brennan, but not the kind of one that helped you breathe! Fortunately, Nina entered just in time to save Jack's life. The two are sharing a romance -- for now.

Soap Central reported exclusively a year ago that McKenna was going on contract with the ABC soap opera. "The overwhelming support from you beautiful people helped make it happen," McKenna said at the time.