Why is Lucky Spencer leaving Port Charles on General Hospital? Explained

Lucky Spencer is leaving General Hospital yet again, and fans are seeking concrete answers for his exit. Jonathan Jackson has portrayed the character on and off since 1993. He returned to play the character again in 2024 after the presumed death of Luke Spencer.

Now that the storyline is almost done, ABC has confirmed his exit from General Hospital, citing on-screen reasons. Lucky's exit is due to his unresolved dynamic with Elizabeth Webber and his long-standing discomfort with life in Port Charles.

In an article published by Entertainment Weekly on June 6, 2025, executive producer Frank Valentini stated that though Jonathan Jackson’s return to reprise the role of Lucky was only for a limited time, the team was glad to have him back.

"We were so glad Jonathan was able to reprise the role of Lucky, even if it was for a limited time"

However, Jackson did not specifically explain any reason for his departure from the daytime soap opera. Fans are disappointed with this exit, as many had expected Lucky would stay longer.

Lucky Spencer's exit from General Hospital explained

In a recent episode, Lucky proposed to Liz, but she said no to him. She justified the rejection by explaining that, though she still cares for him, their lives no longer align. She added that staying in Port Charles would only leave him unfulfilled and eventually lead to resentment.

She explained how her life, rooted in family, work, and the community, is fixed. Lucky, by contrast, is portrayed as a man still seeking meaning beyond the confines of his hometown.

This rejection from Liz pushed Lucky to reassess his future, and in the following episodes, the fans saw him grapple with whether the breakup was final or not. Eventually, both of them acknowledged that love alone wouldn't be enough to resolve the issue that they have.

Lucky plans to leave Port Charles to cope with the breakup and preserve his emotional well-being. He wants to go somewhere else where he can find fulfillment.

Jonathan Jackson was intended to make a long-term guest appearance since his return to General Hospital.

In an interview with TV Insider in August 2024, Jackson explained:

"When I came back in 2015, that was just for a few episodes for Tony [Geary’s] exit and this is not that. This is back in a substantial, real way, which I’m excited about."

The show hasn't announced any plans to recast or kill the character, which leaves a possibility for a return in the future. Executive producer Valentini further stated on Jackson's departure:

"We wish him nothing but the best and the door is always open for Jonathan to return."

Who is Lucky Spencer on General Hospital?

Lucky Spencer is the son of two of General Hospital's original characters, Luke Spencer and Laura Collins. He was first introduced as a ten-year-old in 1993 and soon became a fan favorite.

Jackson has played the character since his debut. However, when he left the soap in 1999, the character was played by Jacob Young and later Greg Vaughan. Jackson came back to reprise the role after 2009. In November 2011, he left the show, due to other projects, confirming to TV Guide, the character won't be killed off. In 2015, Jonathan Jackson once again reprised his role for a brief period.

In August 2024, his character was teased again by Valentini at the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards. Jackson returned once more in the August 23, 2024, episode. However, he later took a hiatus, with Guy Wilson taking over the role temporarily. It was on June 5, 2025, when Jackson exited the role once again, marking the end of his nine-month return.

Jackson has earned five Daytime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Lucky. Lucky has a traumatic, complicated past, which includes being presumed dead, brainwashed, struggling with addiction, and even becoming a police officer.

One of the long-lasting storylines Lucky has been involved with is his romantic relationship with Liz. The two got together in the late 1990s and have bonded over shared trauma and emotional vulnerability. Their relationship has gone through cycles of love, betrayal, separation, and reconciliation.

Lucky and Liz share a son, Aiden Nikolas Webber, born in 2010. When Lucky returned to Port Charles, he tried to bond with Aiden and established a relationship with him.

Fans can watch General Hospital on ABC.

About the author

Preethika Vijayakumar is a Daily Soap writer at Sportskeeda with a keen interest in pop culture. Although a law student, her curiosity about the world and passion for writing inspired her to explore and analyze the complex narrative and diverse character arcs that define the daily soaps.

With experience as a legal content writer, Preethika also achieved a notable accomplishment as her work was published in a book about criminology and victimology. As a fellow binge-watcher, Preethika aims to provide insightful analysis based on her firsthand viewing experiences, ensuring accuracy and relevance in her writing.

Outside of professional endeavors, she enjoys reading, playing guitar, and creating ceramics. Her favorite celebrity is Jensen Ackles, and if given the opportunity, Preethika would love to be a part of his show, Supernatural, although she isn’t sure she could last until the end.

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Edited by Sriparna Barui