GENERAL Hospital star Michael Easton has opened up about his feelings on his character's storyline after his abrupt exit.
The soap actor said that he was "hurt and wounded" over Dr. Hamilton Finn being written off.
Michael's final episode aired last week after eight years on the soap.
He told Soap Opera Digest that he wasn't expecting to say goodbye to Hamilton.
“You do have to remove your ego from it and realize you have a job to do," Michael told the outlet.
The General Hospital star said that the last few weeks of filming were "very raw and very draining" because they had to shove so much material into a small amount of time.
"Every day was emotional because every day was not only doing the work, it was also [saying] good-bye. I had such a hard time saying good-bye to Jane Elliot [Tracy] and to Josh [Swickard, Chase] and Becky [Herbst, Elizabeth] and everybody that I had come in contact with, so everything was difficult," he said.
Michael took a swipe at the writers on the show and said that he wanted more storyline.
"I do appreciate the writers giving me so much material going out the door, but from an actor standpoint, I would like to have had just a little more time to add a little more subtlety and a little more nuance to it," he told the outlet.
PROCESSING HIS EXIT
As Michael was processing his time on the show coming to an end, he admitted that he felt a little bit hurt by the decision.
“You get hurt a little bit and you get wounded a little bit, and part of your head’s going, ‘Well, just do it’ — and then I ended up investing more [in my performance], to make it even better for them," he said.
"I really wanted to make it work, so my thinking was, [Finn’s descent] had to go beyond alcoholism. Addiction and things like that, I kind of know a lot about that, but to get where I needed to go [with the character], it had to be almost a complete emotional break.”
General Hospital actor announces he's leaving show after 10 years as fans slam Soap for 'making a big mistake'
Hamilton is leaving the show to enter rehab for his alcohol addiction.
Michael said that his performance came down to telling the truth and committing to the story.
"So it was raw for me, and it was humbling, but it also felt good. I felt like I left everything out there," he told Soap Opera Digest.
However, it took a few days for him to shake off the news of the exit.
Every day was emotional because every day was not only doing the work, it was also [saying] good-bye.
Michael EastonGeneral Hospital actor
"I think in the old days I probably would have went out and got drunk. But this time, I went home and [his kids] Lilah Bell and Jack were waiting for me," he said.
"It was sort of like Daddy needed a hug and the kids were waiting with hugs and honestly, everything was better from that moment on."
Michael also said that he wanted to tell his fans about his exit himself.
"I just wanted them to hear it from me. I feel like I have this really amazing relationship with — I’ll say fans, but I think of them more as friends," he shared.
DRAMATIC EXIT
On June 26, Michael announced his exit from the soap in a dramatic Instagram video.
“I’ve always been partial to the Irish good-bye," the actor said in his post.
“That’s where you leave the party without actually telling anyone you’re gone. But I thought you all deserved better. So I just want to let you know that I just filmed my final scenes here at General Hospital."
"I’ve loved every minute that I’ve been here. I want to thank the entire cast and crew for allowing me to share their stage this past 10 years. Most importantly, I want to thank all of you for the kindness and love you’ve shown me and my family. I won’t ever forget you," Michael went on.
Michael then walked past the studio one last time in silence.
