Behind the scenes, Rory Gibson, who brings Michael to life, admits this particular storyline was unlike anything he’s faced before. Not only did it push him creatively, but it also highlighted just how much Jason Morgan’s reaction — and Steve Burton’s powerhouse performance — will leave viewers gutted.
Remembering Monica’s Role
Speaking with Soap Opera Digest, Gibson acknowledged just how central Monica, played by the late Leslie Charleson, has always been to Michael’s sense of stability. “Michael’s life has been an unbelievable storm of chaos that is pretty unrelenting,” he explained. “Monica was his anchor through it all.”
Though Gibson never had the chance to work alongside Charleson, the writing made it clear how much Monica meant to Michael — with mentions of his near-daily visits to her. Playing out that kind of loss without firsthand connection wasn’t easy, Gibson admitted, but the material made clear just how much the Quartermaine matriarch meant to everyone around her.
Jason’s Heartbreak at the Center
For Gibson, the turning point came in his scenes opposite Steve Burton. “I was just playing off of Steve the whole time, and Steve, in these scenes, oh my God. He just really brought it,” he revealed. Burton’s raw emotion not only carried Jason’s grief but also forced Gibson to adapt his own performance in real time. The result, Gibson says, was something far more powerful than what he’d originally planned.
And it wasn’t just the cast who felt the weight of Burton’s work. According to Gibson, even the directors in the booth were left misty-eyed watching Jason unravel. “Most of the scenes I have regarding Monica are with Steve,” Gibson said. “And what he brought — that intensity, that honesty — it set the tone for everything.”
A Storyline That Will Stay With Fans
For longtime GH viewers still mourning both Monica and the late Leslie Charleson, the upcoming arc promises to be one of the most emotional chapters in years. Spoilers tease Jason and Tracy (Jane Elliot) grieving the Quartermaine matriarch on September 18, but Gibson makes it clear — this isn’t just another loss in Port Charles.
This is the kind of story that leaves scars, the kind that lingers long after the credits roll. And with Steve Burton at the center, fans should brace themselves. Jason Morgan’s grief won’t just break hearts — it’ll shatter them.
