Rebuilt To Last

GH’s Finola Hughes Reflects On Anna’s Year Of Transition

- Mara Levinsky

A major one-two punch in 2015 — Carlos murdered Duke, and Anna retaliated by seemingly shooting Carlos dead — upended Anna’s life but good. With her quest for justice for Duke (mostly) behind her and an intriguing new storyline, Finola Hughes is happily looking to the future.

Soap Opera Digest: Anna spent most of this year — and a lot of 2015, as well — grieving and/or seeking justice for Duke. Was that something you were kind of eager to get past?

Finola Hughes: Oh, yeah, for sure. I needed to get past that. You can only do that for two years [laughs]. They gave it its due. And Duke’s son, Griffin, came to town and I think that’s given her family, in a way. It’s fantastic working with Matt Cohen [Griffin]. He’s a lovely person, a lovely friend, and it’s given Anna a purpose.

Digest: I’m very excited that Anna is back with the WSB and that her new story with Valentin has something to do with her past. I would love to know more about Anna Devane, the early years.

Hughes: Oh, yes. There’s a really cool twist to it, actually, and I’m really enjoying working with James Patrick Stuart [Valentin]. I’ve known him for many years— we used to be in acting class together — so it’s been a lot of fun having him come on the show. I think the story moving forward is going to incorporate some people that are going to be fantastic to work with. I’m really stoked — but I shouldn’t use that word because anytime I do, my 16-year old son [Dylan] just looks at me and says, “Don’t [laughs].” So, I’m really happy to be working with certain people.