General Hospital has confirmed that As the World Turns' Lesli Kay (Molly) has snagged the plum role of Lois Cerullo, last played by Emmy winner Rena Sofer. If the jump is a big surprise to viewers, it's an even bigger one to her co-stars. "I didn't know anything about it; she didn't mention it," admits her ATWT colleague Martha Byrne (Lily). "I want her to be happy, and if it's going to make her happy, I'm happy for her." Kay's change of coasts is in support of family aspirations. "[Her husband] Keith Coulouris (ex-David, ATWT) is a screenwriter, and if you want to be a screenwriter, you've got to be in L.A." That won't make it any easier for Byrne to see Kay go. "I'm going to miss her tremendously," Byrne laments. "She's been a great friend, and we've shared a lot together in eight years. We had babies together. It's kind of an end of an era." But she respects Kay's desire to move on. "I understand the need to go there for family," the two-time Emmy winner emphasizes. "She's been talking about California for a long time, so it seems to be the right combination." GH has also cast Adrianne Leon in the role of Lynn. Hmmm, could this be Ned and Lois's little girl in disguise? "Perhaps," teases a show rep. Look for the daytime newcomer to debut May 20. Kay joins GH June 10.