Chad Duell is finally opening up again, and the tea is hotter than ever for General Hospital fans. The former Michael Corinthos actor admits burnout, redundancy, and emotional overload pushed him to walk away. Yet his latest comments tease a comeback that could change everything.
Burnout Hit Harder Than Anyone Knew
Chad Duell explained that the decision to leave never came overnight. He said his years on the show became comfortable, then repetitive, and eventually draining. His passion started slipping, and his creative fire slowly faded. The work felt more routine than expressive, and that scared him.
He admitted he needed a reset. His personal life was shifting fast, and loss weighed heavily on him. His father’s passing changed his emotional balance. Becoming a new parent changed his priorities. Everything collided, and something had to give. He said stepping back became the only way forward.
Why Walking Away From General Hospital Became Necessary
Chad shared that he felt creatively flatlined. He described the feeling as safe but suffocating. The comfort of his long-running role kept him steady, but it also kept him stagnant. Growth stopped. Passion dimmed. He said he needed discomfort to rediscover himself again.
He added that he was no longer giving his best work. That realization pushed the choice. Staying meant repeating the same emotional pages. Leaving meant rewriting the story. It hurt because the cast felt like family. Yet he knew staying would have kept him stuck. The exit became essential.
Redundancy and the Push to Start Over
Chad admitted he felt redundant in his final years on the show. The work became predictable. The spark that once pushed him through long shoot weeks faded. He said he didn’t want to drift into autopilot. That feeling convinced him to shake his life up and start fresh.
He spoke about the fear of change. Leaving steady work and beloved co-stars is never easy. Yet he knew repeating the same cycle would make him resent the job he once loved. He stepped away to avoid that emotional crash. That choice gave him clarity and a renewed drive.
General Hospital: Would He Return to Port Charles?
Now comes the part that fans will cling to. Chad said he will “never say never” to a future return. He laughed about soap opera magic and the wild ways characters come back. Then, he joked that even beheading can’t stop a soap character from rising again.
He kept things vague, but his tone felt open. He said he made peace with leaving, but he also left the door cracked. That tiny hint is enough to spark speculation across Port Charles. Michael Corinthos could be gone for now, but his story may not be finished.
Chad Duell’s honest confession shows how hard burnout hit him during his General Hospital run. His exit came from emotion, necessity, and a need to rediscover his passion. Yet his subtle tease keeps hope alive. A return remains possible, and Soap Opera Daily will track every hint. Stay tuned for more updates, and thanks for reading!