Is Roger Howarth leaving General Hospital?

After an 11-year tenure and nearly 900 episodes, Roger Howarth bid farewell to his role on the enduring daytime soap opera, General Hospital.

Having joined the show in 2012, Howarth initially portrayed Todd Manning, a character he had embodied for a decade on One Life to Live. Over the course of his run on General Hospital, he assumed two additional roles, with his most recent portrayal being Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt.

Howarth shared insights about his departure in a recent conversation with Soap Opera Digest. He revealed that he was informed several weeks ago that his contract would not be renewed. Executive Producer Frank Valentini conveyed the decision, stating that once Howarth’s current contract with ABC concluded, he would not be offered a new one, and the character of Austin would be written out to propel the storyline forward.

Despite the unexpected nature of the news, Howarth expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had during his time on the show. Reflecting on his departure, he emphasized how fortunate he felt to have engaged in something he genuinely loved for over a decade, alongside colleagues he deeply enjoyed working with.

Acknowledging the decision-makers’ role in such determinations, Howarth remarked, “For a long time, I’ve enjoyed coming to work, learning lines and saying them with really cool people.” He maintained a positive outlook, asserting that he did not perceive any unfair treatment or negative energy surrounding the decision.

In a spirit of pride and self-affirmation, Howarth remarked, “I’m really proud of myself — like, totally truthfully, honest to God, I always tried my hardest. So for me, ultimately, there’s no loss. I know I did everything I could.” As he bid farewell to this chapter, Howarth expressed hope that the dedicated audience would continue to be entertained by the hard work of the writers, producers, and directors for many years to come.