prisoners escape from prison. In an interview with Soaps In Depth, Mills confirmed that she would reprise the role of Madeline again and would start filming on April 27, the day after the 42nd Daytime Emmy Awards. She expected to start airing sometime in late May. In an interview featured in a June 2015 issue of Soap Opera Digest, Mills looked forward to working opposite Rick Hearst who played Madeline's new son-in-law Ric Lansing. However, the actress admitted that she did not how long the return would last. On August 31, 2015, Madeline is revealed to be the killer of Silas Clay. Mills revealed that the producers had filmed several scenarios for Silas's murder to maintain the mystery. At the time, Mills herself was not aware that Michael Easton was leaving the show. The hiring of head writing team Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman left Mills uncertain of a future return to the series. The September 28 edition of Soaps In Depth confirmed that Mills had wrapped up her latest stint with the series despite Madeline's promise of a return. In August 2018, Entertainment Weekly reported that Mills will be reprising her role as Madeline. Mills made her return on August 17, 2018. Reception The casting announcement was immediately praised from critics. "Praise, Soap Jesus!" Jamey Giddens said of the casting announcement. "I can't breathe. General Hospital has cast the mother of all prime time soap superbitches," Giddens continued. "If GH hadn't already been Must See Suds, it definitely is now!" Giddens exclaimed. Michael Fairman described the announcement as an "awesome casting bombshell." Soap Opera Network's Kambra Clifford said ever since the announcement, "tongues have been wagging regarding character details and a first airdate." On-Air On-Soaps praised the promo of Mills's debut and said "Now this is a promo apropos for the occasion!" "There Goes The Cul-De-Sac" said Daytime Confidential of the promo's release. Jamey Giddens said, "Power players in Port Charles, New York are about to be judged on the Abby [Cunningham] scale!" Giddens, who was a big fan of the actress gushed over Mills debut and said, "I have waited my entire life for this." ABC Soaps In Depth listed Madeline at #2 in the "5 Things We're Loving" section and said "Knot Landing vet Donna Mills has still got it!" On-Air On-Soaps praised Mills' portrayal of Madeline. "She can play steely conniving witch like no other!" Mills'