Veteran soap star Steve Burton, who is beloved for his iconic role as Jason Morgan on General Hospital, just announced he’s taking a temporary hiatus from the long-running ABC drama. While his exit was rumored for a while, his announcement caught many off guard. Why is he stepping away? Is this a permanent exit? And when will he return to Port Charles? Here’s the full breakdown from Soap Opera News.
Why Steve Burton Is Taking a Break from General Hospital
On February 10, 2026, Burton took to Instagram to confirm that he is taking a short break from General Hospital. He explained that the decision is personal and is rooted in a desire to spend quality time with his family, especially with his newlywed wife, Michelle Lundstrom. Lundstrom and Burton got married in May 2025, so they are fast approaching their first wedding anniversary.
He wrote, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family. I’m grateful for all the support and will be back this summer.”
According to reports, Burton has already taped his final episodes, for now. Because the show films a few weeks in advance, his exit will not happen onscreen until sometime in the Spring. So, clearly, that means Jason Morgan will continue appearing on screen for a few more episodes before his absence is reflected in the show’s storyline. How do you think Jason will exit the canas this time around?
When Will Steve Burton Be Back on General Hospital?
Steve Burton made it clear he’s not gone for good. He promised fans he will return “this summer.”
Even the show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, has issued a statement about the exit. Valentini notes that “We have some great Jason story leading up to spring and look forward to his return in the summer.“
A Look at Burton’s Long General Hospital History
Steve Burton is not new to temporary departures. In fact, his time with General Hospital has included multiple exits and comebacks over more than three decades:
- 1991: Burton debuted on GH as Jason Quartermaine.
- 2012: He left to pursue other projects (including The Young and the Restless).
- 2017–2021: Returned to General Hospital.
- 2021: Left following the show’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. He then went over to Days of Our Lives to reprise the role of Harris Michaels.
- 2024: Made a highly anticipated return as Jason Morgan.
What This Means for General Hospital Storylines
Jason Morgan remains central to several ongoing plots. As viewers know, he is helping Sonny Corinthos with his ongoing feud with Jenz Sidwell. Jason is also caught up in a romance with Britt Westbourne and is determined to get her from under the clutches of Sidwell and Cullum. On top of that, Jason recently got a message from Anna about Faison. So, which storyline of you think will take him off canvas?
Fan Reactions & What’s Next
Right now, social media is a mix of support and speculation, but fans are pleased to learn this exit is only temporary.
So, how are you feeling about this temporary exit? How do you think Jason will exit GH this time around? And when he eventually comes back, what would you like his storyline to be? Leave a comment below, we’d love to hear from you.
Photo Credit: ABC/Disney.
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