For longtime General Hospital viewers, the wait is finally over. After months of uncertainty, concern, and hopeful speculation, Kirsten Storms is officially back at work

at the ABC soap, reprising her iconic role as Maxie Jones. The beloved actress confirmed the news herself on January 21, sending waves of excitement through

the fandom and marking one of the most anticipated returns to Port Charles in recent years.

Storms, who has portrayed Maxie since 2005, has been absent from the canvas since August 2025, when her character was written out in a dramatic and emotionally charged storyline. Maxie was rushed to a specialized care facility in Boston after falling into a coma — a plot turn that allowed the show to accommodate Storms’ extended leave of absence while keeping the character firmly within the narrative. Now, that chapter is coming to an end. A General Hospital representative has confirmed that Storms will make her on-screen return on Thursday, February 12, officially bringing Maxie back into the heart of the action.

“Back at Work”: Storms Confirms Her Return

Storms broke the news in the most personal way possible — through social media. Posting a mirror selfie from her General Hospital dressing room, the actress simply captioned the photo with a triumphant “Boom. 2026 already… that was fast. Back at work!” The casual tone belied the emotional weight of the moment, both for Storms and for fans who have followed her journey on and off screen.

In the same post, Storms shared a more tender note about her daughter, Harper Rose Barash, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Brandon Barash. While grateful to be back in Port Charles, Storms admitted that being away from Harper was difficult, writing that California “doesn’t feel right without her here.” The message underscored the deeply personal balancing act Storms has been navigating — one that blends career, motherhood, and health in a way that has resonated strongly with her audience.

Why Maxie Left — And Why the Absence Mattered

Storms first announced her planned hiatus in July of last year, explaining that she had proactively approached General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini about her desire to relocate while remaining part of the show. In a candid Instagram video, Storms revealed that her final taping day for 2025 had taken place in June and that she would be stepping away temporarily as she moved from Los Angeles to Tennessee with her daughter.

At the time, Storms emphasized her gratitude to the GH production team, ABC network executives, and writers for their flexibility and support. She made it clear that this was not a goodbye, but a pause — one she needed for personal reasons. The show responded by crafting Maxie’s coma storyline, a choice that preserved the character’s importance while allowing Storms the time and space she needed.

A Health Journey Shared With Fans

Just months later, Storms revealed that her decision to make major life changes was also driven by serious health concerns. In October, she disclosed that a routine brain scan earlier in 2025 had revealed an aneurysm on the right side of her brain — a frightening development for anyone, but especially poignant given her medical history.

In 2021, Storms underwent a craniotomy to remove noncancerous cysts from the left side of her brain, a procedure she has spoken about openly. Learning that she now had an aneurysm was understandably terrifying. She admitted that the diagnosis “majorly freaked” her out and shared that doctors had recommended a coiling procedure to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing.

Storms was refreshingly honest about how the diagnosis prompted a reevaluation of her priorities. She explained that leaving Los Angeles was essential not only for Harper, but for her own physical and mental well-being. Her posts struck a chord with fans, many of whom praised her transparency and courage in navigating such a challenging situation while remaining connected to her audience.

Good News — And a Hint of What Was to Come

By December, Storms had another update — and this one brought cautious optimism. After consulting with a new neurosurgeon in St. Louis, she learned that she fell into a “gray zone” regarding the aneurysm. While it was not small enough to ignore entirely, it was also not large enough to require immediate surgery.

The doctor advised that Storms could either continue monitoring the aneurysm or opt for the coiling procedure at a later date. Crucially, she was not in imminent danger. Storms described the news as a huge relief, even as she admitted she was still weighing her options.

At the end of that update, fans noticed a tantalizing tease. Storms hinted that she might soon be returning to Port Charles, suggesting that viewers could “maaaaybe” be seeing her back on screen. At the time, it felt like a hopeful possibility. Now, it is a confirmed reality.

Maxie Returns to Chaos in Port Charles

As General Hospital fans know all too well, Maxie Jones never returns to a quiet life — and this time will be no exception. While Maxie has been unconscious, the world she knew has been turned upside down.

Most shocking of all, her “late” husband Nathan West — presumed dead since 2018 — is alive. His unexpected resurrection alone would be enough to send Maxie reeling, but the emotional blow is compounded by the fact that Nathan has grown increasingly close to Maxie’s best friend, Lulu Spencer. That triangle promises heartbreak, betrayal, and explosive confrontations once Maxie awakens and begins piecing together what she missed.

Adding to the chaos, Britt Westbourne — another character long believed to be dead — has also resurfaced, further destabilizing the emotional ground beneath Maxie’s feet. And looming over everything is Sidwell, the man responsible for Maxie’s coma, who is now holding her godmother Anna Devane hostage. The stakes could not be higher, and Maxie’s return places her directly in the crosshairs of multiple ongoing storylines.

“You Guys Are Gonna Freak Out”

Storms has been teasing the intensity of Maxie’s comeback since the moment she announced her hiatus. She repeatedly promised fans that the writers had something “kind of incredible” planned and warned that viewers would “freak out” once the story unfolded.

With her return date now confirmed, it’s clear that General Hospital has been carefully building toward this moment. Maxie’s awakening is poised to trigger emotional reckonings, romantic upheaval, and dangerous confrontations that will ripple across Port Charles for months to come.

For fans who have grown up with Maxie Jones — watching her evolve from a scheming teenager into a complex, fiercely loyal woman — Kirsten Storms’ return feels both triumphant and deeply personal. It is the continuation of a legacy, and the start of a new chapter forged by resilience, survival, and unfinished business.