Sonny’s Future in Jeopardy! Who Will Step Up to Replace Him?

Sonny Corinthos has been front and center on General Hospital for three decades. But the show recently hinted at a major change for the mob boss amid rumors actor Maurice Benard is leaving. Who will replace Sonny on the daytime soap?

Maurice Benard Hints At Retirement

Maurice Benard joined General Hospital in 1993 after starring on All My Children for a few years. His character, Sonny Corinthos, brought the mob back to Port Charles. The mafia was a huge part of the storyline on the ABC soap for years.

It still is but with an added plot that Sonny is bipolar. He recently unknowingly went off his meds when they were tampered with. The medication tampering storyline turned more serious once Sonny started having heart trouble. He didn’t tell anyone and planned to undergo open heart surgery without his family knowing.

But he ultimately decided to clue his ex-wife, Carly (Laura Wright) in and his security expert, Brick (played by ESPN sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith.)

The open heart surgery storyline stoked concerns from fans that Maurice Benard was leaving the show. He previously hinted at retiring soon. But Sonny survived the surgery, so it seems the actor is staying… for now.

But the near-death experience made Sonny consider a huge lifestyle change.

Sonny Corinthos Gets Special Visitor After Near-Death Experience

Sonny Corinthos didn’t have to die to get a special visitor this week on General Hospital. He had a very lucid dream from the sedation medication. Fans were hoping to see the return of one of his sons, Michael (Chad Duell) or Morgan (Bryan Craig.)

However, Sonny got a visit from another important family member – his father, Mike Corbin (Max Gail.) The character died in 2020 amid a battle with Alzheimer’s. He appeared to Sonny at Bobbie’s Diner. After assuring Sonny that he didn’t die during the surgery, the two had a heart-to-heart. It led to Sonny seriously considering leaving the mob for real this time.

While Sonny was having this dream, there was a real attempt on his life by an unknown woman posing as a nurse. She was about to inject something into Sonny’s IV but luckily, Brick was in the room. He shot the woman dead in a scene that had the internet calling for Stephen A. Smith to win an Emmy. The sports broadcaster has been appearing on General Hospital as Brick since 2016.

Who Will Replace Sonny On General Hospital?

The possibility of Sonny leaving the mob caused fans to debate who should replace him. Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) has been plotting to wrest control of the waterfront in Port Charles from Sonny. Could that lead to Tracy taking over as the city’s mob boss? One fan called the idea an “interesting” twist.

Other names mentioned were Michael, Kristina, and even Lucky. Check out some of the suggestions.

• “Kristina is too emotional. I don’t think Sonny would let her or Gio take over anyway. It appears that Sidwell is trying to take over Sonny’s territory.”
• “I hope Madam Wu and then slowly write the mob out. They’ve run out of mob stories and I’m so tired of the “whiney don” now!”
• “I think they’re setting the stage for [Kristina,] between her Corinthos and Cassadine genes , she’s for the perfect role of mob boss”
• “I think it’s going to be Dante.”
• “Do we need a new Sonny? I am sick of the “criminal with a heart” characters.”

If Sonny Corinthos does leave the mob, who do you think will take over? Sound off in the comments.