Tanisha Harper is now the new Jordan Ashford on General Hospital. The character was last seen in September of 2021 but now has a new face.

In a new interview with Soap Opera Digest, Harper dished on the audition and her transition to Ashford.

“I had been telling my agents that this was the kind of role that I really wanted to start doing moving forward,” she told the publication. “I started my career off in comedic television and film and I love that, but I really wanted to get some drama going! When I saw this role, I was like, ‘This is exactly what I’m looking for.’ And as I was going over the audition [material] and learning my lines, I was like, ‘I just feel like this is the one.’ Something about it was just very natural for me. I just really felt it; I felt that this role was for me.”

Harper submitted an audition tape and the rest was history. She says her agents told her after she submitted the tape, she was chosen to do a screen test.

“That was exciting but because it was over the holidays, I had to wait about three weeks to do the screen test,” the actress said. “Throughout the holiday, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I just want to do it! I just want to get out there and see what happens!’ On the day of the test, everyone was wonderful from the moment I arrived on set, I tried to give my best performance; I had worked on it with my coach and took it seriously because this was something I really wanted. And it looks like it paid off, because I’m here [laughs]. I was so excited to find out that I’d booked the job. It still doesn’t feel real!”

Harper also revealed that she didn’t even know the role she was up for was Jordan Ashford. She thought it was a new character.

“When I went in for the role, they changed the name I thought I was auditioning for someone named Michelle that was the district attorney,” she explained. “I didn’t realize until a few days after booking the job that I was going to be playing the role of Jordan Ashford and that two other actresses had played her!”

She says the show’s executive producer Frank Valentini told her, “‘You need to just do you. Do what you feel is right for this character. Everybody has their own take on it, and this is why we have you here. You’re bringing something new and fresh. We don’t need you to emulate what they did.’ So, that was kind of the mindset I’ve brought into it.”

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC.