ARTICLE: Sean Blakemore Announces Exit from ‘General Hospital’, Cites “Other Obligations” as Reason for Departure

[Errol]

Sean Blakemore’s return to “General Hospital” has been cut short. The actor announced today that he is leaving the daytime drama series less than a year since reprising the contract role of Shawn Butler, citing “other obligations” as the reason.

When a fan asked Blakemore if rumors were true of his leaving, Blakemore took to Twitter to set the record straight, saying, “I appreciate you and ALL my wonderful supporters! I was absolutely NOT let go. It was my decision to exit the show because of other obligations.” He added, “The GH family has been great to me! Who knows whts to come in the near future.”

Blakemore did not elaborate on what the “other obligations” were.

Prior to his return to the soap last year, his character had spent time in Pentonville for the shooting of Hayden Barnes (Rebecca Budig), a crime he didn’t commit and was wrongfully convicted of, albeit not many knew the real truth at the time.

Since returning, Shawn reconnected with his ex, Jordan Ashford (then played by Briana Nicole Henry), and their son, TJ Ashford (Tajh Bellow). Additionally, other characters, namely Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) are now aware that it was Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) who shot Hayden, and not Shawn. 

With Jordan set to return to Port Charles with a new face (Tanisha Harper) next month, it’s unclear whether the role of Shawn will be recast or if Blakemore’s exit will play into Jordan’s reason for returning.

A rep for “General Hospital” was unavailable for comment at press time. The network has a policy of not commenting on actor contracts.

Blakemore won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2016 for his portrayal. He played the character from 2011-2015 and reprised the role for one episode in 2016 for a prison scene, appearing with Steve Burton’s Jason Morgan and Kelly Monaco’s Sam McCall.

Note: The post Sean Blakemore Announces Exit from ‘General Hospital’, Cites “Other Obligations” as Reason for Departure appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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[slick jones]

I don't blame him for leaving. It looks as though they're shipping Alexis' friendship with Harmony and dropped Sean like a bad habit. The man is FINE. How could they not utilize his "assets". Not to mention, unlike some performers, he shows up in his scenes. The rivalry with Nikolas (which could have fell into story with Ava, the Art Gallery, the Intruder. I know just as well as anyone that the cast is bloated, but drop the dead weight... don't keep letting the good ones get away.

 

Edited February 26, 2022 by slick jones

[David_Vickers]

Liked him better this run, liked his chemistry with Nancy Lee Grahn. 

[Taoboi]

UGH!

 

So much potential that they set up.

 

And...he was FOINE. 

[DemetriKane]

He was ight!

[Taoboi]

Oh, yeah. The day he walked in on Nik and Ava and revealed he brought the Intruder dressed in that suit and with all that swagger...with Nikolas's money...to give some payback...la sigh...

[AMCOLTLLover]

I knew that this would happen? I mean he could’ve take the paycheck and be a back burner but he wants to act. Can’t blame him. An actor wants to be challenged and have something to do and not being there to prop others.

i don’t even get half the cast anymore lmao

i wish him the best. I was really expecting a lot and GH blew it. But hey as long as they push Willow down our throat’s it’s all good I guess

[SteelCity]

He's got to be taking it personally that they clearly hate writing for him.