Esme Prince, the manipulative and mysterious girlfriend of Ryan Chamberlain’s son Spencer Cassadine, was killed off in a shocking twist on General Hospital. The actress who played her, Avery Pohl, left the show after only six months of being on air. What led to her dramatic exit and what happened to her character on the show? Here is everything you need to know.
The Dramatic Exit of Avery Pohl/Esmé Prince on General Hospital
- Rumors of exit: Fans started to speculate that Avery Pohl was leaving General Hospital when she posted a cryptic message on her Instagram story on February 28, 2024. She wrote, “Thank you for everything, GH. It’s been a wild ride.” She also shared a photo of herself with her co-star Nicholas Chavez, who plays Spencer, and captioned it, “Love you, bro.”
- Shocking death of character: On March 4, 2024, General Hospital aired the episode where Esme was brutally murdered on a yacht by an unknown assailant. She was stabbed multiple times in the chest and left to bleed out on the floor. Spencer found her body and was devastated by her death. He blamed himself for bringing her into his life and putting her in danger.
Possible Reasons for Avery Pohl’s Departure from General Hospital
- Sexual harassment allegations against producers: According to some sources, Avery Pohl decided to quit General Hospital after she filed a lawsuit against the show’s producers for sexual harassment. She claimed that she was subjected to unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, and threats of retaliation by several executives and staff members. She also alleged that she was paid less than her male counterparts and denied opportunities for career advancement. She sought damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and punitive damages.
- Non-receipt of posthumous Emmy by family: Another possible reason for Avery Pohl’s departure from General Hospital was the controversy surrounding the posthumous Emmy award for her late father, Peter Pohl. He was a renowned soap opera writer who worked on several shows, including General Hospital. He died of a heart attack in December 2023, shortly after he was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. However, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences refused to give his award to his family, citing a rule that only living recipients can accept the honor. Avery Pohl was outraged by this decision and publicly criticized the academy for disrespecting her father’s legacy. She said that she wanted to leave the industry that treated her father so poorly.
- Death of General Hospital star Sonya Eddy: A third possible reason for Avery Pohl’s departure from General Hospital was the death of her co-star and friend, Sonya Eddy. She played Epiphany Johnson, the head nurse at General Hospital, for over 15 years. She passed away on February 25, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. She was 56 years old. Avery Pohl was very close to Sonya Eddy and considered her a mentor and a mother figure. She was heartbroken by her loss and said that she could not continue working on the show without her.
What Happened to Avery Pohl’s Character, Esmé, on General Hospital?
- Official confirmation of death on the show: On March 5, 2024, General Hospital confirmed that Esme Prince was indeed dead and that Avery Pohl had left the show. They released a statement saying, “We are saddened to announce that Avery Pohl has decided to leave General Hospital and pursue other opportunities. We thank her for her amazing portrayal of Esme Prince and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. As for Esme, she met a tragic end on yesterday’s episode and will not be returning to Port Charles. We hope that the fans enjoyed her story and will remember her as one of the most intriguing and complex characters on the show.”
- Esmé’s brutal yacht death: The details of Esme’s death were revealed on the following episodes of General Hospital. It turned out that she was killed by Cyrus Renault, the notorious mob boss who had a vendetta against Spencer and his family. He hired a hitman to infiltrate the yacht party that Spencer and Esme attended and kill them both. However, the hitman only managed to stab Esme before he was shot by Jason Morgan, Spencer’s uncle and protector. Cyrus then called Spencer and taunted him about Esme’s death, saying that he was next. Spencer swore to avenge Esme and bring Cyrus down.
Reactions from Fans and Cast Members on Avery Pohl’s Exit from General Hospital
- Social media reactions: Fans of General Hospital and Avery Pohl took to social media to express their shock and sadness over her exit and Esme’s death. Many praised her for her acting skills and her chemistry with Nicholas Chavez. Some said that they loved to hate Esme and that she was a great villain. Others said that they hoped that Esme would come back somehow and that her death was a mistake. Some even started a petition to bring her back to the show.
- Statements from fellow actors: Several cast members of General Hospital also shared their reactions to Avery Pohl’s exit and Esme’s death. Nicholas Chavez, who played Spencer, posted a tribute to her on his Instagram, saying, “You are an incredible actress, a wonderful friend, and a beautiful soul. I will miss you so much, sis. Thank you for everything, especially for being my Esme. Rest in peace, angel.” Laura Wright, who played Spencer’s mother Carly Corinthos, also posted a message for her on her Instagram, saying, “You are a star, Avery. You lit up the screen with your talent and charisma. You made Esme a character that we will never forget. I am so proud of you and I wish you all the best in your next adventure. You will always be a part of our GH family.”
Conclusion
Avery Pohl’s exit from General Hospital and Esme’s death were unexpected and shocking events that left many fans and cast members heartbroken. She was a talented and promising actress who made a lasting impression on the soap opera world. She had many reasons to leave the show, some of them personal and some of them professional. She will be missed by many and remembered by more. We hope that she finds happiness and success in whatever she does next.
