In the sprawling, sixty-year history of General Hospital, the line between life and death has always been famously porous. From the high-tech laboratories of Cassadine Island to the secret safehouses of the WSB, characters have a way of defying the finality of the grave in ways that defy logic and spark absolute euphoria in the audience. As we find ourselves deep in the 2026 season—a year defined by a catastrophic blizzard, a “Secret Mirror” of shifting identities, and the return of long-lost heroes—the conversation has inevitably turned to the icons we’ve lost. The question currently dominating social media is as simple as it is heart-wrenching: If you could bring one character back from the dead, who would it be?

The contenders are four pillars of the show’s legacy: Sam McCall, Emily Quartermaine, Morgan Corinthos, and AJ Quartermaine. Each of these characters represents a different era, a different family, and a different kind of hole in the narrative heart of Port Charles. Choosing just one is an exercise in emotional surgery, as the return of any of these individuals would effectively dismantle every current storyline and rebuild the show’s hierarchy from the ground up.

The Modern Wound: Sam McCall

Perhaps the most visceral absence in 2026 is that of Sam McCall. As a fierce private investigator, a devoted mother, and one-half of the legendary “JaSam” duo, Sam was the character who could bridge the gap between the town’s mob underworld and its high-society elite. Her loss left a vacuum that has yet to be filled. If Sam were to return now, the impact on Jason Morgan and Dante Falconeri would be nuclear.

With Jason currently operating in the shadows and Danny Morgan navigating a controversial romance with Charlotte Cassadine, the return of Sam would provide the maternal anchor the story desperately needs. In the “Secret Mirror” era, a Sam McCall return could easily be tied to her past as a con artist and adventurer. Was her “death” a calculated move by a rival agency? The fans who want Sam back aren’t just looking for a romance; they are looking for the return of the show’s grit.

The Saint of Port Charles: Emily Quartermaine

For many legacy viewers, the death of Emily Quartermaine at the hands of the “Text Message Killer” remains the show’s most tragic mistake. Emily was the soul of the Quartermaine family—a character defined by her kindness, her medical brilliance, and her epic love story with Nikolas Cassadine. Bringing Emily back in 2026 would be the ultimate “Miracle at Wyndemere.”

The Quartermaine mansion is currently a house of cards, with Tracy, Michael, and a paralyzed Drew Cain fighting for dominance. Emily was the only person who could unite the warring factions of her family. Her return would also provide a fascinating dynamic for her twin sister, Rebecca Woods, or her brother, Jason. In a town currently obsessed with “Cold Fusion” and experimental science, a narrative path for Emily’s survival—perhaps involving a Cassadine cryogenic freeze—is more plausible than ever.

The Volatile Spark: Morgan Corinthos

The Corinthos family has never been the same since the car bombing that supposedly claimed the life of Morgan Corinthos. Morgan was the embodiment of the family’s volatility—a young man struggling with mental health, caught between his father’s dark legacy and his own desire for a normal life. His return in 2026 would be the ultimate catalyst for Sonny Corinthos’ redemption or his final descent into madness.

With Josslyn Jacks now operating as a WSB sleeper agent and Michael grappling with the legal fallout of Willow’s latest stunts, the return of their brother would create a “Corinthos Trinity” that would be unstoppable. Fans who champion Morgan’s return often point to the fact that his body was never found—the classic soap opera “out.” A Morgan who has been brainwashed or living under a different identity would be the perfect weapon for a villain like Ross Cullum to use against the town.

The Prodigal Son: AJ Quartermaine

Finally, there is AJ Quartermaine. AJ’s journey from the “black sheep” of the family to a man seeking redemption was one of the show’s most compelling character arcs. His death at the hands of Sonny Corinthos remains a point of intense bitterness for the Quartermaine loyalists. Bringing AJ back would be a move of pure narrative justice.

Imagine a Port Charles where AJ is alive to see the success of his son, Michael, and the downfall of his rival, Sonny. The tension would be explosive. AJ’s return would also provide a necessary foil to Tracy and Monica, restoring the generational conflict that made the Quartermaines the show’s primary engine for decades. In 2026, where DNA tampering and memory mapping are the order of the day, the reveal that AJ’s “death” was another elaborate ruse would be a masterstroke of storytelling.

The Verdict: A Town Haunted by Heroes

Ultimately, the choice reveals more about the fans than the characters themselves. Those who vote for Sam want action and romance; those who vote for Emily want heart and legacy; those who vote for Morgan want drama and high stakes; and those who vote for AJ want the restoration of the Quartermaine empire.

In the current climate of General Hospital, where the blizzard has stripped away the ability to run and forced everyone to look in the mirror, the ghosts of the past are closer than ever. Whether it’s through a shocking twin reveal, a WSB cover-up, or a Cassadine laboratory miracle, one of these icons may very well be walking the docks of Port Charles again before the year is out.

Until then, we are left with the memories of their impact and the tantalizing possibility of their return. The crown of Port Charles is currently empty, waiting for a legend to return and claim it.