Kay will be exiting As the World Turns, where she has played Molly since 1997, to take on the highly-coveted role of General Hospital's Lois Cerullo Ashton - a recast that lured many name actresses.  A source tells us that Kay crashed at ATWT castmate Mary Beth Evans' (Sierra) West Coast home while in Los Angeles for the screentest.

A Daytime Emmy winner in 2001 (in the Supporting Actress category) for her portrayal of Molly, Kay received ATWT executive producer Chris Goutman's blessing in making the move.  "In consideration of the needs of her family, Lesli Kay expressed the desire to relocate to Los Angeles.  When the opportunity at GH arose, we chose not to stand in her way," Goutman explains in a statement.  "Lesli has served ATWT with the utmost professionalism and enthusiasm for the past seven years.  We wish her and her family nothing but the best."

Will Kay's ATWT role be recast?  Or will Molly, who has largely been on the backburner ever since her and Dusty's fling ended, simply fade into the woodwork?  ATWT had no comment on any plans to put a new actress in the role.  A setsider says a recast is possible, but right now, "It is incredibly up in the air."

A GH spokesperson tell In Depth that Kay makes her debut as sassy music mogal Lois - originally played by Emmy-winner Rena Sofer - on Thursday, June 10, 2004.