General Hospital star Kate Mansi reveals why she's leaving her role as Kristina

General Hospital star Kate Mansi arrived in Port Charles three years ago to much fanfare. Now, the soap star is talking about why she is on her way out of Port Charles. Might the show recast the pivotal role, or will Sonny and Alexis's daughter be given a rest?

The plan for General Hospital's Kristina

Kate Mansi earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for her role on General Hospital | Image: JPI

Soap Opera Network broke the news that Mansi was out as Kristina on GH. Now, TV Insider has an interview with the exiting actress. "I've made the very difficult decision to leave General Hospital," Mansi said. "I have a few new projects that require my full attention, and with my husband [Matt McInnes] currently producing a series filming primarily abroad, I needed the flexibility to travel while continuing to develop and work in Los Angeles."

"We love Kate and support her decision to leave," Frank Valentini, GH executive producer, said in a statement. "The door is always open, and we appreciate all that she added to the show these past three years.”

"When Frank first approached me about the role, two things deeply resonated with me: the opportunity to show my support for the queer community by playing an LGBTQ+ character, and to help tell an endometriosis storyline," Mansi shared. "Together, I truly felt we honored both of those stories in a way that mattered. And the fact that I got to direct was simply the icing on the cake! Now, it feels like the right time for both Kristina and me to step into new adventures."

GH has no plans to recast. Don't miss Tuesday's episode when Kristina's plans for the future will unfold.

From Salem to Port Charles and beyond

Before Kate Mansi joined General Hospital, she was on Days of our Lives as Abby | Image: JPI

When Mansi, who won a Daytime Emmy for playing Abby on Days of our Lives, took over the role played by Lexi Ainsworth, who won a Daytime Emmy for playing Kristina, the character became involved in a handful of stories.

Mansi's Kristina was horrified to learn that her father, Sonny (Maurice Benard), was allegedly involved in criminal activities. Also, Kristina had a brief same-sex relationship with Blaze, played by Jacqueline Grace Lopez, who was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2025 in the category of Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series.

Kristina volunteered to be a surrogate mother for her sister, Molly (Kristen Vaganos), and TJ (Tahj Bellow), who wanted to have a baby. Despite the warnings from Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) and others, Kristina went ahead with the surrogacy. Tragically, she lost the baby after falling out of a window at the Metro Court Hotel during an argument with Ava Jerome (Maura West).

Before the fall, Kristina had decided that she wanted to keep the baby (as Alexis and others had predicted she might decide to do). There was further conflict between Kristina and Molly after Kristina insisted on naming the baby Adela, while Molly and TJ wanted to name their daughter Irene Marie (after TJ's grandmother).

Recently, Kristina reopened Charlie's Pub. Perhaps another character will take over the running of the establishment now that Kristina is headed off the canvas?

Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and Hulu.