Port Charles is no stranger to power shifts, betrayals, and the occasional resurrection—but

the return of a familiar face in a much larger capacity is about to change everything.

In a move that has fans buzzing and the underworld of General Hospital on high alert,

ESPN analyst and television personality Stephen A. Smith is trading the sports desk for the shadows of Port Charles. After years of recurring appearances as Brick—mob boss Sonny Corinthos’s trusted tech-savvy enforcer—Smith has officially signed on as a full-time cast member.

With this transition, Brick isn’t just back. He’s stepping into a leading role in the mob drama’s latest high-stakes storyline, and his presence threatens to reshape the very foundation of Sonny’s empire.

Brick: From Cameo to Cornerstone

Since his debut in 2016, Brick has been a fan-favorite, offering brief but impactful moments of stoic strength and tactical brilliance. Always dressed in tailored suits and exuding a cool, calculated confidence, Brick became a symbol of quiet control amid Sonny’s chaotic world. Yet due to Smith’s demanding real-life schedule—anchoring First Take and other ESPN commitments—his appearances remained limited to strategic cameos.

That’s all about to change.

With a full-time contract now in place, Brick is taking center stage—and just in time. Sonny Corinthos’s once-stable empire is teetering on the edge. The loss of longtime right-hand man Jason Morgan created a dangerous vacuum, and threats from both within and beyond the city’s borders have left Sonny vulnerable. Now, as Brick prepares to rise to second-in-command, all eyes are on how he will tip the balance of power.

An Assassination Attempt—and a Hero’s Arrival

Brick’s journey back into prominence began with a moment straight out of an action thriller. While in Los Angeles, he intercepted an assassin disguised as a nurse—seconds away from ending Sonny’s life. With surgical precision and fearless determination, Brick neutralized the threat and dragged the wounded mob boss to safety. The act didn’t just save Sonny—it reignited Brick’s reputation.

In the eyes of Port Charles and the Corinthos organization, Brick wasn’t just a bodyguard anymore. He became a savior. A protector. A man willing to go to the edge of hell and back to keep Sonny alive.

New Mission: Unearthing the Puppet Master

With Sonny stabilized and recovering, Brick now turns his focus to the deeper mystery: Who ordered the hit? Who pulled the strings of the would-be killer—and why?

Whispers suggest this wasn’t just a random act of violence. It was orchestrated. Planned by someone who knows Sonny intimately. Armed with encrypted communications intercepted by cyber sleuth Damian Spinelli, Brick dives headfirst into a web of conspiracy that links the attempted assassination to a defunct WSB (World Security Bureau) operative.

A shadow figure looms behind it all. Someone who once walked the fine line between justice and crime. Someone who may still be within Sonny’s trusted circle.

The Return of Morgan Corinthos

But the plot thickens. As Brick begins to peel back the layers of this attempted coup, another revelation surfaces—one that could rock the very soul of Sonny Corinthos.

Morgan Corinthos, Sonny’s son, presumed dead after a tragic explosion years ago, may be alive.

Sources from the LA underworld have whispered Morgan’s name with increasing frequency. Under a new identity, he’s been hiding in plain sight. And Brick—using his network of informants and unmatched investigative skill—may be the key to bringing him home.

Insiders claim Brick is already laying the groundwork for a dramatic reunion, timing Morgan’s return with Sonny’s resurgence. It’s not just about blood—it’s about legacy. And in the world of Port Charles, that legacy could either restore the Corinthos dynasty… or shatter it.

Alliances and Unrest

Brick’s rise does not come without consequences.

Back in Port Charles, Carly Spencer, Sonny’s former wife and eternal strategist, watches these developments with cautious calculation. She understands the delicate balance of power in Sonny’s inner circle—and she knows that Brick’s influence could either stabilize the empire or set it ablaze.

Could Brick, emboldened by his expanded authority, start calling shots that challenge Sonny himself? Could old grievances—some buried deeper than the Hudson—resurface?

Meanwhile, Laura Collins, the ever-diplomatic mayor and defender of the city’s soul, sees a potential ally in Brick. She approaches him at the docks with a proposition: help protect the historic Pier 52 from corporate vultures in exchange for community support. Brick considers her offer in silence. He knows that to lead Sonny’s rebirth, he must also win the heart of Port Charles.

The Network Wants More Brick

Behind the scenes, General Hospital executives are doubling down on Smith’s commitment. Executive Producer Lisa Aubre reportedly met with Smith in the hallways of GH to discuss an upcoming arc that will see Brick at the center of multiple storylines—from taking down drug rings to navigating boardroom warfare. Expect him to appear across all corners of the canvas: Crimson Magazine, the docks, and the hospital itself.

Fans should prepare for a summer where Brick is everywhere—and nothing is safe.

The Final Confrontation—and a Threat That Hits Home

Brick’s investigation leads him to a derelict warehouse near the abandoned railyard. There, he confronts a team of mercenaries hired to probe Sonny’s vulnerabilities. The skirmish is brutal, but Brick emerges victorious—though not unscathed.

Among the wreckage, he finds a clue. A phone. A final message.

Stop digging, or your family pays the price. —S

Brick’s jaw tightens. The cost of loyalty has never been higher. Jason once warned him about the price of crossing unseen enemies. But Brick knows the only way to secure the future of the Corinthos legacy is to eliminate the threat—no matter the danger to himself.

A New Era Dawns

As the sun rises over Port Charles, Brick stands on the threshold of a new era—not just as Sonny’s enforcer, but as a protector, investigator, and potentially, a kingmaker.

Stephen A. Smith brings a charisma and weight to Brick that transcends the typical role of muscle. With his full-time arrival, General Hospital is not just gaining a character—it’s welcoming a force.

But the question lingers: Will Brick’s loyalty strengthen Sonny’s kingdom—or light the match that sets it ablaze?

Stay tuned. Port Charles may never be the same.