| Parker Forsyth | |||||||
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| General Hospital character | |||||||
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| Portrayed by | Ashley Jones | ||||||
| Duration | 2016–17 | ||||||
| First appearance | January 29, 2016 | ||||||
| Last appearance | October 11, 2017 | ||||||
| Classification | Former; recurring | ||||||
| Created by | Shelly Altman Jean Passanante | ||||||
| Introduced by | Frank Valentini | ||||||
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Parker Forsyth is a fictional character from the American soap opera General Hospital, portrayed by Ashley Jones. She made her first appearance on January 29, 2016. Parker had been previously mentioned on the soap as the university professor that Kristina Davis (Lexi Ainsworth) offered sex to in exchange for a higher grade. However, it was not revealed that Parker was a woman until her first appearance. Jones had to keep her casting a secret in order to make Parker's gender a surprise to viewers. Jones initially appeared in a recurring capacity until April 2016, before returning that summer for a brief stint. Jones later reprised the role in August 2017 before being written out and last appearing on October 11 of that year, alongside Ainsworth.
Parker's introduction was used to explore Kristina's sexuality, which Ainsworth said was a big socially relevant issue. Parker and Kristina eventually kiss and have sex following Parker's split from her wife, but Parker is convinced by Kristina's mother, Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn), to leave. Parker later returns and begins a relationship with Kristina, but she is fired for having a relationship with Kristina whilst she was still a student, which leads to Parker and Kristina leaving Port Charles for Oregon. Jones explained that the storyline was cut off short and was meant to be revisited, which it was not. Kristina and Parker's relationship was referred to by the portmanteau "Pristina". Jones herself commented on how fans felt betrayed over the storyline not continuing, but believed that the strong response was a testament to the writing and acting. The relationship also received praise from critics for its LGBTQ+ representation.