“General Hospital” viewers are losing their minds over Kelly Monaco’s exit from the soap opera after her 21-year reign as Sam McCall — so they are doing something about it.
Fans have started a campaign to save Sam from being killed off, launching hashtags like #SaveKelly, #SaveSamMcCall and #IStandWithKelly while encouraging those enraged over the plot twist to reach out to the show’s network ABC.
“#GH fans unite. Please let’s get some type of momentum going and rally to save Kelly Monaco from being eliminated from Port Charles,” an X user posted on the platform, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday. “General Hospital needs Sam McCall. Port Charles is Sam’s home. #SaveSamMcCall #KeepKellyMonaco on #GeneralHospital.”
The Post confirmed Monaco’s departure, which Soap Opera Network first reported on Monday.
The 48-year-old soap icon has played Sam since 2003.
According to reports, Monaco’s character is set to be killed off this fall, a decision that allegedly “blindsided” the actress — and fans.
“General Hospital” viewers expressed their frustrations over the exit news.
“Shout-out Sam fam. Look at all the love for Kelly Monaco!! Truly incredible. I hope #KellyMonaco sees all the support from you, and I hope that those at ABC #gh see it too. We adore KeMo. We want more Sam. #StoryForSam please. We are waiting. ❤️❤️ Thank you again Sam fam!!” one longtime fan wrote.
Another watcher called the decision to axe Sam a “huge mistake,” warning the network, “Sam McCall has a BIG fan base and we will be fighting for her!” A separate user agreed, replying to the tweet that they were “praying that I’d wake up and it was all going to be a nightmare, but it wasn’t.”
Someone else commented, “Kelly has truly made every pairing work. She is such a valuable and talented actress.”
Monaco has not addressed her character’s fate on the daytime drama.
The Post reached out to the actress and ABC for comment.
Monaco has been part of the “General Hospital” family for over two decades. Before her stint as Sam, she played Livvie Locke on the “Port Charles” spinoff from 2000 to 2003.
She landed a Daytime Emmy nomination for her role as Livvie in 2003 and another for her performance as Sam in 2006.
Despite being a staple on the soap show, Monaco was temporarily replaced as Sam by actress Lindsay Hartley in episodes that aired in 2020 and 2022.
While quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19, Monaco addressed the switcheroo.
“I must thank the amazing #GH fans for all the love and support they have shown me in the past couple of weeks,” Monaco wrote on X at the time.
“It’s been a crazy year and I feel so blessed, grateful and humbled to be able to continue to do what I love…20 years and counting with @ABC…what an honor!”
Besides her role on “General Hospital,” Monaco is known for being the first Mirrorball Trophy winner on Season 1 of “Dancing With the Stars.” She was partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy when she returned for the competition show’s “All-Star” season in 2012, with the pair coming in third place.
