Long-running and multi-awarded General Hospital will soon be seeing three new faces with the addition of a handful of actors formerly with various other popular television programs.  One is a veteran of a much loved Stephen Bochco show from the 1980s.  Another comes from General Hospital's very own spin-off, Port Charles.  The third has been a familiar face on a number of political and criminal dramas.

All three recruits will initially portray recurring roles but may eventually become regular cast members depending on audience reception.

First off, Hill Street Blues alum, Bruce Weitz, has been tapped to play a character named Anthony Zacchara.  Weitz is best known for his portrayal of Sgt. Mick Belker on seven seasons of the highly acclaimed ensemble police drama.  More recently, Weitz has guest-starred on another successful cop series, NYPD Blue, as well as other ensemble shows like ER, The Practice and Grey's Anatomy.  Weitz is scheduled to make his General Hospital appearance on October 12.

In additional casting news, Jay Pickett has traded in his Port Charles alter ego, Frank Scanlon, for the recurring part of Detective David Harper on General Hospital.  Pickett becomes the latest in a string of former Port Charles stars who have made the exodus to the mother program.  Kelly Monaco, known as Livvie Lock on Port Charles, currently plays Samantha McCall on General Hospital.

Pickett's appearance on General Hospital won't be his first.  Back in March of last year, he filled in for a day as Lorenzo Alcazar, a role normally played by Ted King.  He has also been on the show for crossover storylines between General Hospital and Port Charles.  As Detective Harper though, Pickett debuts on General Hospital October 9.

Finally, Claire Coffee, who has made the rounds of high profile military, political and forensic shows like CSI, West Wing and NCIS, will join General Hospital as Nadine come October 5.



-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Soap Central
(Image Courtesy of MSN)