General Hospital Bombshell: Maxie's Son Says Goodbye As Kirsten Storms Exits

General Hospital just parked Maxie in a coma so Kirsten Storms can step away for a minute, and yes, the show went with the classic soap solution. The twist here: this is not another Lulu-length vanishing act. Storms says she will be back this year, and her on-screen kid left a sweet note on the way out.

A mini farewell from the set

Gary James Fuller, the 9-year-old who plays Maxie and Spinelli's son James West, posted behind-the-scenes photos from Storms' last taping day before the break. He kept it simple and adorable with: "We miss you already." Honestly, same.

Why Maxie is off the canvas (and when she should return)

Storms temporarily relocated from California to Tennessee and asked the show for some time off. In soap-world terms, that turned into a quick coma for Maxie and a transfer to Massachusetts. Storms made it clear this is a short hiatus, not an exit.

"It’s possible I will be back in December, maybe November."

She also explained that GH could have cut her loose over the move but didn’t, which is not nothing for a daytime contract show. Translation: the door is very much open, and the story is designed to plug her right back in.

This is not another Lulu situation

If you immediately thought: oh no, another multi-year coma… breathe. The show is using a tried-and-true soap cover, but Storms herself stressed the break is short. Expect a quick return, not an indefinite limbo.

The quick rundown

• Character status: Maxie Jones has been written into a coma and moved to Massachusetts.
• Real-life reason: Kirsten Storms temporarily moved from California to Tennessee and asked for time off; GH granted it without ending her contract.
• Expected return: Storms says late this year, aiming for November or December.
• Set send-off: Gary James Fuller (James West, age 9) posted BTS photos from Storms' last tape day, saying "We miss you already."
• GH history: Storms has played Maxie since 2005; the character is the daughter of Frisco and Felicia Jones.
• Personal snapshot: Storms married former co-star Brandon Barash in 2013; they share daughter Harper (now 11). They divorced in 2016 and co-parent amicably.

The inside baseball

Soap operas love a coma like prestige TV loves a time jump. It keeps a character in play without recasting and buys production a few months. In this case, it sounds like GH is choosing the humane, low-drama route: put Maxie on ice, bring Storms back when real life settles, and move on. Clean, simple, and honestly the smart call.