Maxie Jones fans can officially celebrate. General Hospital star Kirsten Storms has returned to work, stepping back into the role she has played since 2005.

Storms shared the news on Instagram on January 21, posting a mirror selfie from her GH dressing room and confirming she is once again filming in Port Charles. According to a representative for the ABC soap, Storms will return to the screen on Thursday, February 12.

Key Takeaways

• Kirsten Storms is officially back at General Hospital, with Maxie Jones returning to Port Charles on February 12 after a months-long absence.
• The actress stepped away from the soap in August 2025 to relocate to Tennessee and prioritize her daughter, health, and overall well-being.
• Storms revealed she is currently monitoring a brain aneurysm discovered in January 2025, following a prior brain surgery in 2021.
• Maxie’s comeback places her at the center of major drama, including Nathan’s shocking return, shifting relationships, and a dangerous hostage crisis.

Back on Set — With a Bittersweet Moment

In her Instagram post, Storms kept things short and joyful. “Boom,” she wrote. “2026 already…that was fast. Back at work!”

She also shared a personal note about her daughter, Harper Rose Barash, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Brandon Barash. “Seriously missing my BugBug though,” Storms added. “California doesn’t feel right without her here.”

Why Storms Took a Leave From GH

Storms has been off-screen since August 2025, when Maxie was written out in a storyline that sent the character to a Boston care facility after falling into a coma. The plot allowed Storms to take an extended leave of absence — something she had carefully planned with the show.

In July, Storms revealed on Instagram that she had approached GH executive producer Frank Valentini to discuss relocating without leaving the series. She shared that June marked her final taping day for the year and confirmed she was moving from Los Angeles to Tennessee, where Barash had recently settled, so she could live closer to Harper.

“I really want to thank GH, the ABC network executives, the writers for agreeing to let me take this time,” Storms said at the time, expressing gratitude for the show’s support.

Health Concerns Added Urgency to the Move

A few months later, in October, Storms revealed that her move was also influenced by serious health concerns. In 2021, the actress underwent a craniotomy to drain and remove noncancerous cysts from the left side of her brain.

In January 2025, a follow-up brain scan revealed something new: an aneurysm on the right side of her brain.

“Since I knew what an aneurysm was, the scan in January majorly freaked me out,” she admitted. Storms explained that doctors had discussed a possible “coiling procedure” — a surgery designed to prevent the aneurysm from bursting.

She shared that the discovery made it clear she needed to make immediate life changes. Leaving Los Angeles, she said, was essential — for Harper, for her physical and mental health, and for her overall happiness.

A Promising Update Before the Holidays

Just before Christmas, Storms offered fans another update. After meeting with a new neurosurgeon in St. Louis, she learned she was in a “gray zone” regarding surgery.

The aneurysm, she explained, is not small — but not yet large enough to require mandatory intervention. For now, monitoring is an option.

“He told me I wasn’t in immediate ‘OMG! It’s going to burst tomorrow!’ kind of danger,” she wrote, calling the news a relief. She admitted she was still deciding whether she felt comfortable with a “wait and see” approach, noting she wasn’t eager to rush into another operation.

At the end of that post, Storms teased what fans hoped to hear: “Maaaaybe you will be seeing me back in Port Charles soon.”

Maxie Returns to Chaos in Port Charles

Now, that tease has become reality.

Storms is officially back on set, and Maxie’s return couldn’t come at a more dramatic time. While she was in a coma, her supposedly deceased husband Nathan (Ryan Paevey) resurfaced — as did her sister-in-law Britt (Kelly Thiebaud). Nathan has also grown closer to Maxie’s best friend, Lulu (Alexa Havins).

Meanwhile, Sidwell (Carlo Rota), the man responsible for Maxie’s coma, is now holding her godmother, Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), hostage.

Storms previously promised fans that Maxie’s return would be worth the wait. “I promise you the storyline they have going on until my return to Port Charles is kind of incredible,” she said. “You guys are gonna freak out, actually.”

With her on-screen comeback just weeks away, it’s clear Maxie Jones is heading straight back into the heart of the drama.

Are you excited to see Maxie return to General Hospital? Let us know in the comments below.