Maurice Benard & Steve Burton Summer Tour, Jason & Sonny Disappear From PC | General Hospital Spoilers

General Hospital fans, get ready for a summer like no other — one that brings a dramatic shift to the streets of Port Charles. With Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) and Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) hitting the road for their respective tours, both characters will be temporarily written out of the soap, triggering a major storyline shake-up. This unexpected departure of two of GH’s biggest power players is set to leave a significant vacuum that promises danger, shifting alliances, and explosive twists.

Maurice Benard recently announced his highly anticipated “I Want You Live in 25” tour, running from July 8th to July 20th, with stops in Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, and Richmond. The tour, which allows Benard to connect directly with fans and share personal stories about his life, acting career, and mental health journey, means that Sonny Corinthos will be absent from Port Charles for several episodes. But Sonny’s not alone in stepping away — Steve Burton (Jason) will also be on the road with Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) as part of their fan-favorite comedy tour, which kicks off in April and may stretch into early summer.

To accommodate these scheduling shifts, GH writers have been working overtime to adjust the storyline. Rather than simply having Sonny and Jason disappear without explanation, the show is crafting gripping story arcs to justify their absences — and fans can expect plenty of fallout.

Sonny’s exit will be tied to an urgent business trip to Puerto Rico. As rumors swirl, he’s called away to handle a serious threat to his Caribbean operations, reportedly involving a rising drug cartel. This cartel isn’t just targeting Sonny’s empire — it’s putting his family in danger. In response to the escalating threat, Sonny will stay longer than expected in Puerto Rico, trying to neutralize the risk and restore order.

At the same time, Jason is given a top-secret mission tied to the WSB and Brennan — the shady figure who’s already stirred up trouble in Port Charles. Anna Devane tasks Jason with tracking down new intel about Brennan, especially after he learns that Jocelyn may have unknowingly gotten entangled in one of the WSB’s dangerous schemes. This mission will pull Jason far from home, possibly to D.C. or overseas, as he dives deep into covert operations in a race against time.

With both Sonny and Jason out of town, the Port Charles power balance is thrown into chaos. Brick will be stepping up to oversee Sonny’s criminal enterprises, but keeping order proves more difficult than expected. Competing factions begin to make their moves, sensing weakness in Sonny’s absence. Meanwhile, Curtis Ashford, with his PI background and trust from both Sonny and Jason, steps in to try and keep things under control. But Curtis’s increased involvement in the mob world could put his relationship with Portia in jeopardy.

Michael Corinthos is also drawn into the turmoil. Having distanced himself from his father’s underworld dealings for the sake of his family, Michael now finds himself at a crossroads. With Sonny and Jason gone, will he be forced to take a more active role in protecting his family’s legacy? This decision could ignite new tension between Michael and Willow, who has always longed for a peaceful life far removed from crime.

As chaos brews among the good guys, their enemies are preparing for battle. Cyrus Renault, having recently been released from prison, sees the perfect opening to reclaim power. Without Sonny and Jason to stop him, Cyrus is expected to reappear in Port Charles with vengeance on his mind. Also lurking in the shadows is Sidwell, a mysterious figure with potential ties to both the WSB and the criminal underground. Sidwell’s motives remain unclear, but with the city’s strongest defenders gone, he’s sure to take full advantage.

Behind the scenes, GH’s executive producer Frank Valentini has reassured fans that the show is well-prepared. Some scenes have already been pre-filmed to allow characters to remain present, and new subplots are being developed to expand the roles of other characters. Viewers can expect supporting players like Alexis, Portia, and Curtis to receive more screen time, and GH will also introduce at least two new faces this summer — a new doctor and a mysterious character with connections to the Cordain family.

While some fans are disappointed that major storylines involving Sonny and Jason will be paused, this temporary absence is also being used to spark fresh drama and opportunities for new rivalries, alliances, and betrayals. And for longtime viewers, the summer tour events are a rare chance to meet their favorite actors in person, hear their stories, and feel more connected to the people behind the iconic roles.

As the summer unfolds, one thing is clear — the absence of Sonny and Jason may shake Port Charles to its core, but it will also open the door to some of the most unpredictable and thrilling storylines General Hospital has seen in years.