Days Of Our Lives
Martha Madison Returning To Days of our Lives!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
The announcement that has been percolating all day long on social media was that Martha Madison had something very big that she was going to reveal during Thursday’s episode of her TradioV series with Lilly Melgar, Soap Box!
And for those hoping that the news would be that Madison is returning to Days of our Lives for the show’s big 50th anniversary push, that has proved to be true! Martha IS returning to the NBC soap opera to reprise her role of Belle. The news of a Belle return could not be more perfect in timing, since it has already been confirmed that Jason Cook is back as Shawn-Douglas, and the series has aged and recast Shawn and Belle’s daughter, Claire.
Look for Martha to make her first appearance back in Salem on the Wednesday, November 25th episode. and look for her debut later in August in the new online series Winterthorne!
So, what do you think of the news that Martha Madison is returning to DAYS as Belle? Excited to see her in scenes with Jason Cook and Black family and more? Comment below!
THANK EVERYTHING GOOD IN THIS WORLD!! I knew they would not bring Jason Cook back as Shawn to ignore Martha’s Belle. I’m so happy that she is not only coming back, but that she is coming back on contract. It seems like everyone at DAYS, NBC and Sony are committed to making sure the fiftieth anniversary is about making the show what it once was before the first two reboots (2011 and 2012). I’m excited to see the new regime’s take on the series, and I haven’t a single doubt that both Josh Griffith and Dina Higley are the right people for this job right now.
Who said it was contact?
Martha said it herself; she is back on contract on DAYS.
This article didn’t mention a contract… did that info come from somewhere else?
Yes, Martha herself confirmed she’s back on contract and has been filming the past two weeks.
https://tradiov.com/la/videos/6-24-15-soapbox-wally-kurth/
The link is to Martha’s show…Soapbox. She announces it at the beginning.
I wasn’t sure this was true either until I looked at the highlights from her podcast. She seems to have announced that as well.
She kind of resembles Maura West in that photo—imo…good to see her back for the shows 50th…like to see teen Claire get involved with slightly older Rory and make Hope a great grandma…lol
You’re right at that, I thought she was Maura West in the photo myself.
“i’ve” never been good with recasts… that being said… I think ATWT was the most successful of all the serials ( is it because ATWT was my all time fave… and i could overlook thee “attachment” ? )
LOL
I “loved” Kirsten Storms, ex-Belle
OK
I have been liking… very much… how Martha Madisen has aged…. she’s being lauded for her internet work… plus her talk show
welcome to DAYS’ Belle
I will not watch her, period. And it is safe to say she is second choice. If KS were available, classic Shelle would be back.
I think you’re wrong.
Kirsten Storms still seems like a teenager. Shawn and Belle are parents of a teenage daughter.
A case of differing opinions. Kirsten, as is MM, is an actress and thus would be able to take on the part quite well.
Great news. I hope they are back on contract, or at least recurring like some of the other vets.
Martha is on contract.
I posted a link above. It’s “Soapbox”, hosted by Martha. She talks about it within the first couple minutes.
Unfortunately, this will stop me from watching their scenes but not Jason with others. Was so looking forward to the 50th but the only Shelle for me is Jason Cook and Kirsten Storms. Sadly, Days and GH evidently could not work out a sharing arrangement. Many fans only know Shelle as JC and MM but for me, not so especially for the 50th. Such is life – I can find other things to watch and/or read or just live my life!!!
Do you like the idea of Belle’s daughter looking older than Belle? KS never grew up!
Wally Kurth was hustling back and forth from Days to GH for months but when Days recently put him on contract he tweeted he CANNOT do both. I guess his Days contract won’t allow it.
Interesting side note is that Eileen Davidson also was doing both Y&R and Days, but Y&R won’t let Tristan Rogers return for a few shows at GH as Robert to send Luke Spencer off into the sunset. Y&R has not had him onscreen except 1 time since February! THAT IS RIDICULOUS!!
I must ask though, what’s wrong w/Martha? Wasn’t she the last Belle and for many years? I didn’t see it then so I really don’t know.
Y&R and Days are connected to Sony so thats why its easy for ED to do both but there are only for soaps left….they should all find a way to unite and keep all four on the air!!!
Eileen can do both DAYS and Y&R because it’s in her contract that she’s allowed to do both; she signed her contract through Sony Pictures Television, which produces both Y&R for CBS and DAYS for NBC, that is why she is able to make guest-arcs as Kristen DiMera while performing full-time as Ashley Abbott.
The hard part is that Disney-ABC owns “General Hospital” and produces it themselves. They have full control of contractual status.
GIRL PLEASE.. what a goofy comment lol.. I’ll watch all scenes but the ones she’s in cuz its not KS.. If you’re watching at all.. And I assume you will be.. you can’t avoid her.. I hope she’s in the middle of a huge cliff hanger.. What will you do then.. Keep switching a Dixie cup from your right eye to the left trying to avoid seeing her?!
I do watch the show and was very much looking forward to the 50th Anniversary celebration. I don’t own any Dixie cups so if MM is in a huge cliffhanger, good for her but I won’t be watching. I split my time more towards GH than DOOL and will continue to do so.
The mere idea that one actress can do this for you and your enjoyment of the show is quite telling, Chantal. Martha is fantastic in the role of Belle, and I’m sure will be lovely in her return; they could’ve recast the role, but instead, they’re bringing back actors and actresses audiences know.
Scott, it is indeed good for those whose loyalties lie towards MM – I don’t happen to be one of them and as you know, in soaps (when there were so many on screen), it happened a lot that a recast was good for some and not others and thus that is what is “telling.” I did not mention not watching the show; just certain scenes. Yes, they are bringing back actors and actresses audiences know – I happen to know the part differently than last portrayed and thus my opinion.
My big question who is bankrolling all this? Days has been run on such a tight budget over last few years that their girdle was about to burst if they tightened anymore- and now lo and behold they got cash up the walzoo to afford all these big name returns, plus newbies like grown up Claire. I realize a lot of them with be short term at best, but it is good to see someone stopped being Scrooge and gave Days some cash to invest in some quality storytelling and actors that will breath life into them. As for this latest news, like others I would preferred to see KS return as Belle—but I still waiting WN to come back as Roman, so I guess I am sucker for a lost cause- LOL. Is there any prayer of seeing the characters Eugene and Calliope for the 50th?
I would love to see them come back too…
Were Jason Cook and Martha Madison on DOOL at the same time? I thought that Martha was on with Brandon Beemer as Shawn Douglas.
Yes and yes, Tom.
Jason Cook…………1999-2006
Kirsten Storms…….1999-2004
Martha Madison….2004-2008
Brandon Beemer…2006-2008
Actress Charity Rahmer played Belle Black for 16 episodes between KS and MM.
Some people say DAYS gave to charity when they hired Charity. LOL!
I could not conceive of Shawn Douglas returning to Salem and not Belle returning also, especially if her child is there. So this was expected. Glad it worked out. Will Belle be in Salem at the same time that Sami is there? That would be nice!
I’m in the minority that never really warmed up to Martha’s portrayal of Belle Black.
wish it was Kirsten Storms.
keep shelle on as long as possible!!!! one of my fave days couple!
Great news!! Love Martha Madison as Belle.. She made the role her own and I prefer her over Kristen Storms. Both are great, but Martha is my Belle.
Yeah, love Martha as Belle. Glad she’s back, but for how long?
It’s still odd that they are aging their daughter to 15yrs old, but I digress. They should’ve aged Ciara instead, especially with Theo being aged and Bo coming back. And Joey got aged as well. Weird.
No way, let Ciara age naturally. The girl that plays her is a spitfire.
I loved Martha as Belle and cannot wait to see the couple back on screen. Days is finally getting back to watchable after the Ejami exit. Now they just need to work on the stories! Quit with the couple swapping and give me couples that are committed to one another with external problems keeping them apart. A great Bo & Hope, Steve & Kayla, Jack & Jenn type story.
I’m not familiar with her work but ANYTHING would help this show, where Eric and Nicole are in constant danger like Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen – and constantly drawn to each other and then betrayed and there’s Daniel waiting in the wings, geez it’s been done to death.
So, although I have only been watching DOOL for a little over a year, I hope that some of these new and returned personalities help the show become more
interesting. To me, lately, it’s been a real snooze-fest.
I am sick and tired of the “Dr. Dan Hero” show. Been There. Done That. A million times.
This is great news! Martha Madison is great as Belle, and I much prefer Jason Cook over Brandon Beemer, so this should be great. I knew it was coming though, there was no way they could bring back Shawn-D and Claire and not have Belle there too.
The next few returns I would love to see are:
– Billy Warlock (Frankie), who I was sure would have been brought back when Eve returned;
– Matthew Ashford (Jack), who was killed off for some inexplicable reason, that nearly every fan hated. This needs to be fixed by whatever means necessary because it was a very bad choice;
– Rachel Melvin (Chelsea), who I think could have returned countless times (like when Billie was back), but am still waiting for, and;
– James Scott (E.J.), who we all know isn’t really dead after receiving that syringe of miracle juice Kristen injected him with.
It would also be great to see Crystal Chappell (Carly) and Louise Sorel (Vivian) again!
Will Shawn follow Belle back to Salem?
I love the fact that Jason and Martha are returning to Days, they made the perfect Shawn and Belle. I t was not the same with the repacements. Hope they stick around for a while.
I couldn’t be more excited to see Shawn, belle and Claire back on days. I hope they have an exciting storyline without being pulled apart for ratings. They are the next Bo and Hope!
Please…considering the actress playing claire is dead ringer for young forms, belle should have been left out of town if only choice was Martha Madison. Never liked her portroyal of belle then ., don’t like it now.
Now that this year’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations have been announced, several of the acting nominees will share their reactions and more to learning they are going for gold when the ceremony rolls around on October 30.
However, tonight on Tuesday July 14 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Michael Fairman once again host his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations special live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Scheduled to appear thus far are: Beyond the Gates stars, Lead Actress nominee: Karla Mosley (Dani), Supporting Actress nominee: Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie), and Supporting Actor nominees: Mike Manning (Smitty) and Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill).
From The Young and the Restless: Lead Actress nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Lead Actor nominee Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Supporting Actress nominee Camryn Grimes (Mariah) and Supporting Actor nominee Sean Dominic (Nate).
In addition look for General Hospital’s Supporting Actress nominee Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), from Days of Our Lives, Outstanding Guest Performer nominee, Christopher Sean (Paul) and from The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Actor nominee Scott Clifton (Liam) and Supporting Actor nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) plus more featured guests.
So, what did you think of this year’s Emmy nominations for Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless?
Be with us in the live chat with your questions and comments on this year’s nominations and for our special guests.
For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams, special event coverage and more, make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, looking forward to tonight’s special show with the nominees? Let us know via the comment section below and if you can’t be with us live, if you have any questions you want posed to our special guests and we just might ask during the broadcast.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
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