Risa Dorken Talks New 'General Hospital' Role

Risa Dorken

Risa Dorken appears for the first time this week on General Hospital as Amy, a character who is a lot like legacy character Amy Vining (Shell Kepler).

Dorken tells Soap Opera Digest, "I've gone back and looked at old footage of her, but I'm not imitating her. It's not supposed to be her, but it's definitely a wink in her direction."

Once the actress was hired, she learned more about the original Amy. "When I auditioned, It was under a different character name, so I was unaware [of Amy's history]," she says. "But when I first got to the set, I met Finola [Hughes, Anna] and Nancy [Lee Grahn, Alexis] and some of the people on the crew who knew Shell, and they were all saying that I reminded them of her, and sharing their memories of her, which is really cool."

Dorken has been at GH for two weeks, and she still can't believe she is on the show. "Every time I drive to the lot, you see the actual General Hospital sign, and just seeing that gives me butterflies in my stomach. I have to pinch myself that I'm actually there!"

Dorken's first ever-scene was with Kirsten Storms. "My first-ever scene was with Maxie, Kirsten Storms, and I grew up watching her on the Disney Channel [in the ZENON movies]. I was so excited to meet her and she was so sweet."

Will Dorken end up performing at the Nurses' Ball? "I have a musical theater background; that's what I studied and that's what I love to do," she enthuses. "But all I can say is, perhaps Amy will make an appearance."

Dorken first airs May 4.