Genie Francis heading back to 'General Hospital'

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Genie Francis, the U.S. actress who has played Laura Spencer on and off since 1976, is returning to "General Hospital" next month, ABC said.

Francis is to appear in the Feb. 11 episode -- 50 days before the show's official 50th anniversary.

"Last we saw Laura, she had emerged from her years-long catatonia to find that her beloved Luke had moved on with Tracy Quartermaine," a message on the "GH" website said Wednesday.

"Laura left Port Charles to seek treatment in France, to assure she would not relapse back into her old condition. That was 2008," the posting said. "In the interim, Ms. Francis appeared on 'The Young and the Restless,' but now she's headed back home. So many questions hang in the air for Laura's return, particularly where she and Luke will pick up. After all, Luke's not with Tracy anymore... but he certainly has feelings for Anna Devane. Should be deliciously complicated."

Anthony Geary plays Luke, Jane Elliot plays Tracy and Finola Hughes plays Anna.