Morgan Corinthos
Morgan Corinthos is a fictional character from the original ABC Daytime soap opera, General Hospital, last portrayed by Bryan Craig. Morgan is the first biological child of Sonny and Carly Corinthos.
The character was created under head writers, Robert Guza, Jr. and Charles Pratt, Jr. and introduced by executive producer Jill Farren Phelps, as a newborn on October 24, 2003. In 2009, the character is SORASed and the role was recast with actor Aaron Refvem in 2009, and later Aaron Sanders in 2010. The character is written out of the series in the summer of 2011 by head writer, Garin Wolf, and sent off to military school. Craig's Morgan is introduced in 2013 under head writer Ron Carlivati and executive producer, Frank Valentini, SORASed again. Craig left the soap in October 2016, and made a one-off appearances in January 2018 and August 2024, respectively.
Craig's performance has been met with critical acclaim, winning him the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 2016 and 2017.Creation
Casting
Upon the character's onscreen birth, the role of Morgan was portrayed by twins, Isador Talamo and Adonios Talamo. Jordan and Dylan Cline then appeared in the role from 2004 to 2005. George Juarez stepped into the role in late 2005. Juarez last appeared as Morgan in April 2009. On May 12, 2009, Aaron Refvem made his first appearance as Morgan, regularly. In the spring of 2010, Refvem reported that he had landed a role in a prime time series, but said that he didn't expect it to interfere in his work schedule for GH. A day later, ABC released a statement that confirmed that Refvem had been replaced due to a scheduling conflict. Refvem departed from the series on May 4, 2010 leaving for a role in the pilot of This Little Piggy.
Aaron Sanders took over and first appeared on April 14, 2010. Sanders made his last appearance on July 21, 2011. In July 2012, Refvem revealed confirmed on Twitter the possibility of his return to the role of Morgan. Though the series never commented on Refvem's statement, head writer, Ron Carlivati hinted at the possibility. In December 2012, the series released a casting call for a white male, between the ages of 14 and 17. There was speculation that the character was a recast for the role of Morgan. In March 2013, it was reported that Drew Osborne had filmed scenes with Maurice Benard; Osborne's striking resemblance to Chad Duell led to speculation that he could be Morgan or a recast of Duell's character, Michael. Later, message board posters began reporting that Craig had been cast in the role of Morgan despite no official confirmation from ABC. On April 17, 2013, after months of speculation from fans, a rep from the show confirmed the news that Bryan Craig had been cast in the role of Morgan. Craig began filming his first scenes on April 15. Though no official airdate was announced, Craig's first appearance was slated for May 2013 on a contractual basis. Craig later revealed to Soap Opera Digest that he was hesitant to do a soap. However, the role of Morgan changed his mind about daytime. However, it was his parents who convinced him to sign a three-year contract. On the set of General Hospital, Craig met his real-life girlfriend, Kelly Thiebaud, who portrays Britt Westbourne.
In September 2016, it was revealed that Craig would be departing from the show, last appearing on October 31, 2016.
In January 2018, Craig made a guest appearance on the January 17 episode focused on Ava's surgery. In June 2024, it was announced Craig would reprise the role for one-episode, which aired on August 6 of the same year.Characterization
The December 2012 casting call described the character as being "oulful complex" with "intensity beyond his years." Angela Durrell of TV Source described the character of Morgan as "ensitive and emotionally wounded." Morgan craves "strong ties" and stability. Mara Levinsky described Craig's Morgan as "impulsive" and "imperfect." Michael Logan described Craig's Morgan as a "marvelous muddle of puppy awkwardness and testy testosterone." When asked about his character's "casual and low-key," wardrobe, despite his family being filthy rich, Craig said Morgan is all about quick cash, but "far from snooty." He is the kind of guy that sleeps all day, and eats pizza for breakfast. His sense of style reflects his laid-back personality. Susan Hornik described Craig's Morgan as a "Prince Harry-esque, bad boy."Development
Introduction (2003)
After overcoming the threat of Sonny's longtime love, Brenda Barrett, Sonny and Carly reunite and plan to make Michael a big brother. On February 4, 2003, Sonny and Carly make love for the first time since their reunion. GH writer, Elizabeth Korte wouldn't confirm or deny the pregnancy, but said that several events that had recently played out could make viewers think a baby is coming. ABC Soaps In Depth hinted that if Carly were pregnant, the child's birth would coincide with November Sweeps. This would be Sonny's first opportunity to witness the birth of one of his children. The series had recently introduced Sonny's vengeful brother, Ric Lansing who takes an interest in the Corinthos clan, and Carly specifically. Ric drugs Carly on February 17/18 and leads her to believe they have slept together. Carly is unaware of her baby's paternity. Ric's wife Elizabeth miscarries in May 2003 and he blames Sonny. Meanwhile, Sonny and Carly happily prepare for the birth of their child, as Ric obsesses over the miscarriage. He formulates a plan and buys a house with a secret panic room. Ric kidnaps Carly before her best friends' wedding and locks her in the panic room. Carly escapes only to be kidnapped by rival crime lord, Lorenzo Alcazar. Carly goes into false labor, and is eventually rescued by Sonny, Jason and Ric himself. Meanwhile, the constant danger begins to remind Sonny of how he lost his first wife, Lily and their unborn child in a car explosion; Lily even appears to Sonny accusing him of putting the child in danger. Then head writer, Robert Guza revealed that Lily's prophecy would come true as Carly faces major complications while giving birth. In actuality the woman who appeared before Sonny was a prostitute named Marcella Montoya who was hired by Lorenzo to get plastic surgery look like Lily. All alone, Carly falls down a flight of stairs and goes into labor and she is discovered by Alcazar. Sonny mistakenly believes Alcazar is hurting Carly, and shoots him. The bullet is lodged in Carly's head, and she falls into a coma shortly after giving birth on October 24, 2003. Maurice Benard and Tamara Braun revealed to Soaps In Depth that the filming of the birth scenes felt extremely real. The eight-week-old infant was covered in a jelly like substance to make it look like a newborn. After the birth, Carly passes out from the gunshot wound, forcing Braun to play the rest of the scenes with her eyes closed. According to Braun, her connection with Benard was on a different level, and she felt the need to actually comfort him. Benard admitted that he became extremely emotional after the taping and couldn't stop crying. Those watching were also in tears. During a fan gathering in 2003, Tamara Braun had fans submit suggestions for the child's name. Braun and her co-star Maurice Benard looked through the names and presented some of the suggestions to the writers. The character is named for his godfather Jason Morgan, and the late Stone Cates ; who died from AIDS as a teenager.Preteen years (2009–11)
With Refvem's casting, the character was aged from 8 to 12 years of age. Upon the return of Robin Christopher's Skye Chandler in 2010, some hoped that the series would age her daughter, Lila Rae Alcazar, and make her a love interest for Morgan. The potential romance would definitely cause trouble considering Lila Rae's father, the late Lorenzo Alcazar was once Sonny's most formidable opponent. Instead of taking the young character in a romantic direction, Morgan develops a relationship with mob soldier Dominic Pirelli when he saves him from being hit by a car at the General Hospital carnival. The two then bond over baseball only for Dominic to be shot by Sonny who discovers he is an undercover cop. It is then revealed that Dominic is actually Sonny's son, Dante Falconeri, which complicates his relationship with Morgan a bit more. Morgan is later forced to testify against his father during a murder trial and he is put in the position of having to choose between saving his father, or revealing the truth about his brother Michael's part in their stepmother Claudia 's murder. Though Dante manages to protect Morgan, he then controversially tricks Morgan into revealing Michael's whereabouts. The character is written off-canvas in the summer of 2011.Return (2013)
With Craig's casting, the character of Morgan was rapidly aged to 19 years old. Morgan "will be bring trouble in his wake!" said Soap Opera Digest. The character's "reintegration" would be anything but smooth. Michael Fairman of On-Air On-Soaps questioned "Just what will Morgan's disposition be ike when he returns to Port Charles?" due to Sonny and Carly being his parents. Regan Cellura of Daytime Confidential reported that Morgan runs into trouble in the mob. The departing Brandon Barash, who played Johnny Zacchara alerts Connie Falconeri of Morgan's predicament. According to head writer, Ron Carlivati, the canvas was ripe for Morgan's return. While attending Vanderbilt University, Morgan wracks up some gambling debts putting his loved ones in danger; while Morgan hides out, his roommate, Travis is left to fend for himself. Though he barely escapes with his life, Morgan appears to have developed a gambling addiction, much like his grandfather, Mike Corbin. In June 2013, Craig is injured with a broken arm and the writers decide to write the injury in. Initial rumors had Morgan being attacked by debt collectors; however, the injury is instead scripted as a wrestling move gone wrong with Alice Gunderson. It appears that Morgan had overcome his gambling addiction.