Vinessa Antoine Leaving 'General Hospital' for Historic Canadian Primetime Role, Jordan Will Be Recast

Vinessa Antoine, who joined the cast of General Hospital in 2014 as Jordan Ashford, is leaving the show as she prepares to take on the historic lead role in the upcoming Canadian drama Diggstown.

On Instagram, she wrote, "There are so many people that God put into place who are directly and indirectly responsible for my time at @generalhospitalabc You know who you are. I thank you. I came into this world as an artist. My job is to create and inspire. I hope that I did that a little in playing #JordanAshford. I believe that I have taken her as far as I can. To clarify, as negotiations for #Diggstown were underway, although I am open to stay and play in Port Charles, I was told by my reps that @GeneralHospital felt that my character would be off the canvas for too long for me to continue playing her. With that, we decided to mutually part ways. It’s time to make room for more women of color in prominent roles on television. I’m grateful to assist in that by starting this new chapter in my journey. I hope you’ll all come along. I feel blessed. Be well. xo"

ABC offered some additional inside to Soap Opera Digest: “Vinessa Antoine exercised her pilot out and is choosing to leave the show. While we are incredibly sad to see an actress of her caliber go, we feel that the character of Jordan Ashford is too important to lose and will be recasting the role.”

Antoine will make history as the first black Canadian actress to star in a prime time drama on legacy network television, according to public broadcaster CBC.

“I’m just very excited to be chosen to do this,” said the Toronto-born actress, when she announced the casting to the Toronto Star. “I think it’s something that’s been long overdue. But everything is changing right now and it’s definitely time.”

In Diggstown, scheduled to air in the key CBC fall and winter season, Antoine will play Marcie Diggs, a top corporate lawyer who decides to dedicate herself to a legal aid office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

When Will A Black Woman Win in the Lead Actress Category at the Daytime Emmys?

Vinessa Antoine, Karla Mosley, Reign Edwards, Sal Stowers, Mishael Morgan and Brytni Sarpy.

Viola Davis made history on Sunday, becoming the first African-American actress to take home a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her role on How to Get Away with Murder. It took 67 years. When it comes to afternoon programming, we're still waiting.

Below is the list of the lead actress winners over the past 42 years at the Daytime Emmys. Sadly, there haven't been that many women of color even nominated, and none that won. All My Children's brilliant Debbi Morgan was nominated three times for her portrayal of Dr. Angie Hubbard. She won in the supporting actress category in 1989, tied with Santa Barbara's Nancy Lee Grahn. Grahn faced a social media backlash last night and today after insensitive comments during Davis' historic Emmys win.

Christel Khalil, Anna Maria Horsbord, Sonya Eddy and Aloma Wright.

The actress with the best show to break through in daytime at the 2016 Daytime Emmys is probably Karla Mosley, who has given one outstanding performance after another this year as Maya Avant on The Bold and the Beautiful.

Daytime Emmys Lead Actress Winners
1974 Elizabeth Hubbard, The Doctors
1975 Susan Flannery, Days of our Lives
1976 Helen Gallagher, Ryan's Hope
1977 Helen Gallagher, Ryan's Hope
1978 Laurie Heineman, Another World
1979 Irene Dailey, Another World
1980 Judith Light, One Life to Live
1981 Judith Light, One Life to Live
1982 Robin Strasser, One Life to Live
1983 Dorothy Lyman, All My Children
1984 Erika Slezak, One Life to Live
1985 Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light
1986 Erika Slezak, One Life to Live
1987 Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light
1988 Helen Gallagher, Ryan's Hope
1989 Marcy Walker, Santa Barbara
1990 Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light
1991 Finola Hughes, General Hospital
1992 Erika Slezak, One Life to Live
1993 Linda Dano, Another World
1994 Hillary B. Smith, One Life to Live
1995 Erika Slezak, One Life to Live
1996 Erika Slezak, One Life to Live
1997 Jess Walton, The Young and the Restless
1998 Cynthia Watros, Guiding Light
1999 Susan Lucci, All My Children
2000 Susan Flannery, The Bold and the Beautiful
2001 Martha Byrne, As the World Turns
2002 Susan Flannery, The Bold and the Beautiful
2003 Susan Flannery, The Bold and the Beautiful
2004 Michelle Stafford, The Young and the Restless
2005 Erika Slezak, One Life to Live
2006 Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light
2007 Maura West, As the World Turns
2008 Jeanne Cooper, The Young and the Restless
2009 Susan Haskell, One Life to Live
2010 Maura West, As the World Turns
2011 Laura Wright, General Hospital
2012 Heather Tom, The Bold and the Beautiful
2013 Heather Tom, The Bold and the Beautiful
2014 Eileen Davidson, Days of our Lives
2015 Maura West, General Hospital

Viola Davis gave a moving acceptance speech that captured her historic win well:

"'In my mind, I see a line. And over that line, I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me, over that line. But I can’t seem to get there no how. I can’t seem to get over that line.'

"That was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s. And let me tell you something: The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.

"You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people that are Ben Sherwood, Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black.

"And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods, to Gabrielle Union: Thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you to the Television Academy. Thank you."

'General Hospital' Stars Talk Social Media in ABC 7 Segment (Video)

General Hospital fans are among the most loyal in all of television, and millions of them have embraced social media as a way to keep in touch with the stars of the show.

"What I like about (social media) is the fact you are instantly in touch with the fans, the people who are watching the show," said Finola Hughes (Anna Devane).

"I think there's a fine line we're trying to walk to engage the younger people and keep everyone active, but also keep the stories on edge," added Lynn Herring (Lucy Coe).

In the Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings for October 20-24, 2014, General Hospital was the #1 daytime soap opera with an average of 6,000 tweets per episode.

"We're not even supposed to tweet who we worked with that day," revealed Laura Wright (Carly Jacks).

Watch this week's ABC 7 segment with Sandy Kenyon below:

'General Hospital' Spoilers (September 22-26, 2014)

The aftermath of the Crichton-Clark blast begins. Photo Credit: ABC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of September 22nd.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, September 22
Franco (Roger Howarth) forces the truth out of Kiki (Kristen Alderson); Lucy (Lynn Herring) persuades Scott (Kin Shriner) to make a choice; Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Shawn (Sean Blakemore) try to bring Ava (Maura West) back to Sonny's (Maurice Benard).

'General Hospital' Spoilers (August 4-8, 2014)

Sam & Patrick team up to prove that Nina is a fraud.
Photo Credit: ABC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of August 4th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, August 4
Patrick (Jason Thompson) and Sam (Kelly Monaco) encounter further obstacles in their quest to learn more about Nina (Michelle Stafford); Britt's (Kelly Thiebaud) big plan takes a new turn; Silas (Michael Easton) tells Kiki (Kristen Alderson) about his relationship status with Sam.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (July 28-August 1, 2014)

Ned  (Wally Kurth) saves Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) from a drunk dial to
an animal shelter. Photo Credit: ABC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of July 28th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, July 28
Sam (Kelly Monaco) walks in on Silas (Michael Easton) and Nina (Michelle Stafford); Jordan's (Vinessa Antoine) cover is in danger of being blown; Julian (William deVry) is pushed.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (July 21-25, 2014)

Ned and Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) are growing closer. Will she stay
the night?  Photo Credit: ABC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of July 21st.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, July 21
A plan is put into action; Maxie (Kirsten Storms) makes a stunning announcement; Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) becomes worried about Spencer (Nicolas J. Bechtel).

'General Hospital' Spoilers (July 14-18, 2014)

Maxie (Kirsten Storms) demands to know who called immigration
on Levi.  Photo Credit: ABC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of July 14th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, July 14
Franco (Roger Howarth) comes to Nina's (Michelle Stafford) aid; Sonny (Maurice Benard) is furious with Carly (Maura West); Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Lulu (Emme Rylan) are curious about the contents of Sonny's flash drive; Monica (Leslie Charleson) asks Silas (Michael Easton) if he's willing to donate Rafe's heart.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (July 7-11, 2014)

Delia (Ilene Kristen) is caught in a compromising position.
Photo Credit: ABC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of July 7th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, July 7
A car accident sends loved ones to the hospital; Delia (Ilene Kristen) and Ava (Maura West) conspire to get the recording; Nina (Michelle Stafford) watches Kiki (Kristen Alderson); Michael (Chad Duell) wonders what Alice (Bergen Williams) wanted to tell him.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (June 16-20, 2014)

A huge lie is revealed! Photo Credit: ABC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of June 16th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, June 16
Silas (Michael Easton) has news for Sam (Kelly Monaco); Juan (Michael Saucedo) pays a surprise visit to Sabrina (Teresa Castillo); Sonny (Maurice Benard) receives a warning from Anna (Finola Hughes).

'General Hospital' Spoilers (June 9-13, 2014)

Is Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) really over Nikolas (Tyler
Christopher)?  Photo Credit: ABC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of June 9th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, June 9
Julian (William deVry) feels conflicted; Jordan (Vinessa Antoine) wants to own up to her truth; Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava (Maura West) trade taunts; Morgan (Bryan Craig) makes an assumption.

Tuesday, June 10
Julian has orders; Anna (Finola Hughes) finds herself at am impasse; Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) pines for Nikolas (Tyler Christopher).

'General Hospital' Spoilers (May 26-30, 2014)

Luke (Anthony Geary) leaves Julian (William deVry) with a
huge decision.  Photo Credit: ABC

Check out spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of May 26th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, May 26
ABC is airing a repeat of General Hospital from March 4, 2014: Ava (Maura West) and A.J. (Sean Kanan) have an altercation; Silas (Michael Easton) tries to see his wife; Victor (Thaao Penghlis) thinks Robin (Kimberly McCullough) should stay hopeful.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (May 19-23, 2014): Shots Fired and Shocking Discoveries Made

Julian (William deVry) calls a family dinner to make a startling
announcement.  Photo Credit: ABC

Check out spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of May 19th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, May 19
Luke (Anthony Geary) has a hidden agenda when he arrives at Alexis' (Nancy Lee Grahn) house; Julian (William deVry) schedules a family dinner; Shawn (Sean Blakemore) asks to speak to Jordan (Vinessa Antoine) privately.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (May 12-16, 2014)

The Nurses Ball continues with some major surprises.
Photo Credit: ABC

Check out spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of May 12th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, May 12
The Nurses Ball continues with more performances and unexpected guests.

In the next episode preview for Monday, Lucy Coe introduces "Blackie Parrish!"

Vinessa Antoine Joins GENERAL HOSPITAL as Jordan

Vinessa Antoine has joined the cast of GENERAL HOSPITAL as Jordan. She made her debut on the Friday, March 14 episode in a scene with Sean Blakemore's Shawn.  Will she turn out to be T.J.'s mother?

On Thursday, the actress tweeted a tease about her first appearance on the soap: "Something interesting happening on #GeneralHospital tomorrow!! #ABC #GH"

Antoine's other credits include HEARTLAND, BEING ERICA, HAVEN and SOUL FOOD.