'General Hospital' should appreciate Sonya Eddy

Sonya Eddy began portraying nurse Epiphany Johnson on GENERAL HOSPITAL in 2006. From 2007 to 2008 she did double duty and was a regular cast member on the prime-time spin-off, GENERAL HOSPITAL: Night Shift. In 2016 the actress began a recurring role in the series THOSE WHO CAN'T on truTV.

Eddy's GENERAL HOSPITAL character has only been seen in recent years during the annual Nurses Ball. Along with Amy and Felix Epiphany shows up a few weeks before the gala then sings and dances during the ball and disappears until the next year. Epiphany used to boss everyone around at GH including doctors, which we all know would not happen in real life.

I often wondered how Eddy felt about playing the role because it reminded me of Mammy in GONE WITH THE WIND who tried to micromanage Scarlet Ohara. Perhaps Sonya Eddy enjoys the way her character has been written or maybe she dealt with it because she needs the job. I never saw any fans complaining but I am certain I am not the only one who considered Epiphany as being written as a stereotypical character for a heavy set dark-complexioned black woman.

I longed to see Eddy shine by being given different situations outside of the hospital. Ohe did have drinks with Liz and Terry and Elizabeth's home but that was it. I hoped Epiphany would have a real romantic relationship on GENERAL HOSPITAL but instead, they paired her with Milo Giambeti who worked for Sonny Corinthos. This really was not believable as the two were not even running in the same circles.

Milo is another fan favorite who was underutilized until the Nurses Ball and then both he and his brother Max were written out of the show. Regarding the relationship between Nurse Johnson and Sonny's bodyguard, everything happened off camera just as when Felix was dating the invisible Donny. I do not even recall Miolo and Epiphany even sharing one kiss.

When Cyrus Renault became the head of the GENERAL HOSPITAL board he demoted nurse Johnson, and Liz and fired Monica and Bobbie. The latter 3 are still seen on the show with Liz being a regular and Bobbie and Monica on a recurring basis. Fans are hoping the powers that be will restore Epiphany but there is no news, or spoilers indicating that this will indeed happen.

Not much is known about Nurse Johnson except that she had a son who died. She has no relatives in Port Charles and I do not recall her home ever being shown on GH. She basically is shown working at the hospital or taking part in the Nurses Ball where she showcases her beautiful voice.

There is quite a bit known about Sonya Eddy who was born on June 17, 1967, in Concord, California. Fans will be delighted to know that she has wactually worked in the medical profession and is an LVN, (Licensed vocational nurse). Eddy majored in Theatre and Dance at the University of California, Davis, and received her B.A. in 1992. Eddy has also lent her voice to the video games Saints Row 2008, Driver: San Francisco, 2011, and Guild Wars 2, 2012.

Her television credits are numerous and include GIRL MEETS WORLD, GOOD LUCK CHARLIE, ER, HOUSE, JOAN OF ARCADIA and PHIL OF THE FUTURE. Her movie roles include BARBERSHOP, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR 2THE KLUMPS, SURVIVING CHRISTMAS, YEAR OF THE DOG, and COACH CARTER. Epiphany is not totally 100% law and order as she once patched up an ailing Jason Morgan and kept her mouth shut.

There is so much more to this talented actress if only the GENERAL HOSPITAL execs would explore the possibilities. This is why Eddy and other underutilize cast members on GH should be appreciated. Instead of the powers that be bringing on new characters, they should make use of the taolent that they already have on hand.