SHOCKING EXIT! Maurice Benard Finally REVEALS His Retirement Plans on General Hospital!
Hot on the heels of Sonny Corinthos’ shocking decision to retire from the mob on General Hospital, Maurice Benard is also opening up about the possibility of retirement — and his answer should reassure fans who are worried that the iconic actor could soon leave Port Charles.
Benard, who has portrayed Sonny for more than three decades, recently discussed his future during an interview with The Ty Butler Show.
Although he acknowledged that he has reached a point in his career where retirement would be possible, the Emmy-winning actor made it clear that he has no immediate plans to walk away from General Hospital.
In fact, when his current contract expires early next year, Benard expects to sign another one.
The actor explained that as long as he remains happy at GH, he sees no reason to stop playing Sonny. After so many years in Port Charles, the character has become one of the defining roles of his career, and Benard appears eager to continue exploring new territory with him.
Interestingly, while Benard has no desire to retire, Sonny Corinthos has just made a dramatic retirement of his own. After years of violence, organized crime, dangerous enemies, and morally complicated decisions, Sonny has finally chosen to step away from the mob.
For Benard, however, the storyline wasn’t something that frightened him. Instead, he viewed it as an exciting opportunity to discover a different side of Sonny.
The actor also acknowledged that the gangster era wasn’t necessarily popular with every viewer. That made Sonny’s new direction even more intriguing because it allows the character to remain powerful without relying on violence or criminal activity.
So what exactly comes next for Sonny? Based on the developments teased so far, he still intends to remain an influential figure in Port Charles. His attention appears to be turning toward business, including plans involving Jenz Sidwell’s assets.
The difference is that Sonny is now trying to maintain his influence without returning to the dangerous world he has finally decided to leave behind.
For Benard, that distinction is important. He doesn’t necessarily need Sonny to be a gangster for the character to remain compelling. What matters most is that Sonny continues to have power, purpose, and an important place in the story.
And apparently, fans have plenty to look forward to. Benard revealed that he already knows about an upcoming storyline but isn’t allowed to reveal the details. His reaction when he first heard the story was essentially one of surprise, suggesting that General Hospital could have another major twist waiting for Sonny.
For now, the message seems clear: Maurice Benard isn’t planning to retire anytime soon. Sonny may have left the mob, but his story in Port Charles is far from over.
