Vinessa Antoine Leaving General Hospital

Although Vinessa Antoine is excited for the amazing new role she has landed, it’s going to mean bad news for fans of her portrayal of GENERAL HOSPITAL‘s Jordan Ashford. The Toronto native has been cast as the lead in the CBC’s upcoming legal drama, DIGGSTOWN, making history as the first black Canadian actress to star in a primetime drama on legacy network television. “I’m just very excited to be chosen to do this,” she told The Toronto Star. “I think it’s something that’s been long overdue. But everything is changing right now, and it’s definitely time.”

In the new series, slated to premiere this fall on CBC, Antoine will play Marcie Diggs, a high-powered corporate lawyer who decides to work at a legal aid office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. “When I first read the script I was really attracted to the notion that she was a corporate lawyer and she believed in the system,” the actress admitted. “And when that crashed for her, life nudged her to do something extraordinary. And because I’m a woman of color, so many things connected. She’s complex, not stereotypical, and that’s refreshing.”

GH Stella, Jordan, and Curtis — XJJohnson/jpistudios.com

Maybe Stella actually will be able to put the kibosh on Jordan and Curtis’ wedding! (Photo Credit: XJJohnson/jpistudios.com)

Unfortunately, Antoine is going to begin filming DIGGSTOWN in Canada this August, and the actress updated fans on her GH status on Instagram. “We decided to mutually part ways,” she revealed.

“There are so many people that God put into place who are directly and indirectly responsible for my time at GH,” she wrote. “You know who you are. I thank you. I came into this world as an artist. My job is to create and inspire. I hope that I did that a little in playing Jordan Ashford. I believe that I have taken her as far as I can. It’s time to make room for more women of color in prominent roles on television. I’m grateful to assist in that by starting this new chapter in my journey. I hope you’ll all come along. I feel blessed.”

With Jordan about to marry Curtis and Aunt Stella plotting to put the kibosh on their relationship, there’s still more story to tell with the character, and GH has recast the role with actress Briana Nicole Henry. So stay tuned to see what happens with Jordan, and Canadian fans can look forward to seeing Antoine in a juicy new role on TV this fall. For more on your favorite GH stars, keep reading ABC Soaps In Depth!

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