Meredith Vieira returns to “General Hospital”

Meredith Vieira will reprise the General Hospital role of Bree Flanders that she originally played in March 2003 when she returns to the venerable soap as a guest star this Friday, Dec. 14. A decade later, though, fans will find that Bree has moved up in the world.

“At that point [in 2003, Bree] was a madam,” says Vieira. “Now she’s a Senior Vice President of a company, so she’s definitely improved her lot in life.”

As a madam, Bree once tempted Luke Spencer’s girlfriend to join her ranks, but, as Vieira says, she is now the SVP of Marketing for CoeCoe Cosmetics. Vieira’s appearance will also help usher in the return of fan-favorite character Lucy Cole, played by Lynn Herring (pictured right above, with Vieira and General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini), who also marks her return to General Hospital on Dec. 14.

Vieira and Herring mark the latest in former General Hospital actors who have made returns to the series, sometimes decades after they first became famous on the show. Vieira credits the quality of the series and its actors.

“It strikes me every time I do anything with a soap opera — but just working with General Hospital — so impressed with the actors, they’re so good. They have to learn so much material on a day-to-day basis. You know, 10 years ago I had a better memory than now, so I was a little intimidated, but it worked out great.”

Meredith Vieira and Lynn Herring return to “General Hospital” Dec. 14 on ABC. The series airs 2pm ET; 1pm PT/CT.

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Photo: Ron Tom/ABC