Ending the "is she coming back?" speculation, General Hospital co-head writer Robert Guza, Jr. had announced that the show does plan to bring Emily Quartermaine back to the canvas. And yes, the role will be recast.
If and when Emily does return, which Guza hints will be before the spring, the return will have to be crafted very carefully. Guza says that he is aware that Tamblyn made the role of Emily her own and that any recast would have big shoes to fill. "Amber was something special," said Guza in a published interview.