Days Of Our Lives
WATCH: Outstanding Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nominee Reels! Who Should Win?
In a year when some of the finest performances were in the Lead Actress category, it;s down to four women who will vie for the gold at the upcoming 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Award to be handed out on Sunday night, June 22nd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
NATAS released the nominated reels and performances of this year’s competitors for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category which include: The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom (Katie) and Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) and Days of our Lives Eileen Davidson (Kristen) and Arianne Zucker (Nicole).
Read the official synopsis of the ladies submissions that landed them in the final spots and then at the end of the post watch a video playlist of the four nominated performances! Then let us know, who do you think should win the Emmy?
Heather Tom – The Bold and the Beautiful
Dollar Bill Spencer has been having a love affair with his wife Katie’s sister, Brooke Logan. When the affair began, it was complicated. Katie had postpartum depression and hoped that Bill would have a chance at love even if it was not with her. But home now and well again, Katie never in a million years would have thought that her sister and her husband would betray her in the way that they did. And then, to keep the secret from her all this time. You know what they say; Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Now that the secret is out, Bill attempts to restore Katie’s faith in their relationship but Katie worries about Brooke’s feelings for Bill getting in the way. When Brooke arrives at the house, Katie’s anger gets the best of her. She becomes unable to control her emotions as she presses Bill and Brooke for answers about their adulterous affair. Ultimately, not able to stand it anymore, she does the unthinkable and cuts both her sister and her husband out of her life forever.
Katherine Kelly Lang – The Bold and the Beautiful
Original cast member Katherine Kelly Lang portrays Brooke Logan, the oldest Logan sister who finds herself once again having done something wrong for the right reason. Brooke fought her feelings for the powerful Bill Spencer, because she knew that he was her sister Katie’s husband. But Katie, in the throes of postpartum depression, did everything she could to bring Brooke and Bill together to find happiness for themselves and to create a home for her young son, Will. When Katie recovered, Brooke urged Bill and Katie to reunite, which they did until Katie learned of their affair. Then, Katie left Bill and took his company leaving Brooke and Bill to revel in their newfound love. Now, after a fateful turn of events during a trip to Aspen, Colorado, Bill tells Brooke that he has had an epiphany and must do the right thing.
Eileen Davidson – Days of our Lives
Kristen Blake is mad. Marlena has caused not one but two of Kristen’s weddings to implode. The first husband to be was John Black 14 years prior. He is now Marlena’s husband. The second, and Kristen’s true love, was Brady Black. Yep, John Black’s son. Granted, Kristen had a bad track record of doing somewhat unconscionable things to people. However, her love for Brady was real and had changed her for the better. Unfortunately, Marlena told Brady about one of Kristen’s schemes that she had put into motion before she fell in love with Brady. Shortly before their wedding, Brady cruelly rejects and abandons Kristen, leaving her on her knees much like John Black had done 14 years before. Marlena comes back to see Kristen to rub salt in the wound. Kristen does not take it well.
Arianne Zucker – Days of our Lives
Nicole’s first love Eric Brady comes back to town as a priest and Nicole finds she is still in love with him. Eric is drugged and raped by Kristen Dimera and when his memory of the assault begins to return, he remembers a blonde. He accuses Nicole of the sexual assault and she is devastated by his accusations and beliefs. When the truth comes out, he tries to apologize but Nicole does not have forgiveness in her heart.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.

Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.

Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”

Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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I think all 4 actresses are great but i want Eileen Davidson to win.
Sharon Case should of made this cut she is amazing
I want Sharon to win YR she always gets snubbed . Booooo Not watching this year now
Surprised Sharon Case did not get nominated after all she went through with the bipolar and lost her daughter again
Enough with discussing SHARON CASE in every nominee reel thread. She hasn’t been nominated for an Emmy in 11 years.
I love her too but it’s time to face facts: the Emmy panel doesn’t care for her much these days. She’s had her day, won her Emmy, let’s move on.
Either one of the two from Bold and the beautiful will win.
Finola or that’s right she didn’t get nominated then Eileen Davidson Days
Don’t know any of them. The only soap I watch is General Hospital! 🙂
Arianne(Nicole) or Eileen(Kristen) id love to see win but Heather Tom is also good…by the way why is Bold and Beautiful next to Eileens name which talks about her role on Days?
I see its been corrected…thanks Micheal!!!
EILEEN FOR THE WIN!! Superb acting she was giving us in that reel w/ all different ranges and moods. Her winning an Emmy is long overdue . #LeadActress #BowDownB**ches (in Beyoncé voice
I’m amazed on how they over looked General Hospital!
Yes the fifth nominee should have been maura west or finola hughes.
They need to change the rules so all soaps can be celebrated.
I pulling for Elieen davidson and arianne zucker go team days
Anyone but KKL. There was one line she didn’t whisper and it was better than her usual; not enough to win an emmy. I thought Eileen Davidson’s reel was very good (don’t watch the soap). Heather Tom is always wonderful.
I’m a DAYS fan, but I still think it’s BS that only two soaps are honored/celebrated here. It’s time for a change in more ways than one. And the winner is…EILEEN DAVIDSON!
#2. Arianne Zucker
#3. Heather Tom
#4. Katherine Kelly Lang
I’m very disappointed that there is not representation of all six soaps in this category! I hope to see all four soaps equally represented in all categories next year!!!
In a perfect world every soap should have at least one nominee in each category but life is not perfect.However the Emmy could limit a soap can only have 2 nominees in a category and not more than that.Plus this year some categories have 4 nominees and others have 5.Also maybe the Emmys can stipulate that each category from now on must have the same amount of nominees each year.
I know Heather was won it many times before but based on these reels if she doesn’t win it again I would be shocked. This is just the kind of scene that emmy panel loves– and she did it brilliantly. Her only obstacle is her previous wins. The emmy panel might think she deserves it, but won’t give it to her again just on principle.
The next on the list if Heather is passed over due to her other wins is ED– a dramatic scene with just right about of tears and shouting to display a good range of emotions.
KKL was okay but the scene wasn’t the kind drama the emmy panels go for. As for AZ, I love her, but if she didn’t win last year with her miscarriage scenes this scene with Eric ain’t going get her any gold.
Eileen Davidson For The Win!!!!!!!
Arianne all the way. I felt the emotion in the scene and I like how Nicole stood up to Eric. She even made him cry in the scene!
It’s gonna be a close race! Davidson over Lang by a thread…
1. Davidson
2. Lang
3. Tom
4. Zucker
Hands down, Eileen Davidson. It’s not even a question. The other three actresses are great (although, personally, I don’t understand the fuss over Heather Tom), but they can’t hold a candle to, not only her reel, but her entire year. She dominated Days of Our Lives, without making it stale or annoying. Kristen could’ve easily been a cartoon, but Eileen presents such raw emotion and flawless range, that there were moments where you loved her, hated her, loved to hate her, and hated to love her. I’m not sure that can be said of the other performances.
I will say that I am still deeply disappointed by the women of General Hospital being completely overlooked. Several turned out incredible, breathtaking performances that should have granted one of them a nod. Maura West and Laura Wright both had fantastic moments, but the omission of Finola Hughes isn’t only sad, but it’s criminal. I think she would have actually been REAL competition for Eileen and I’ll never understand how these other three actresses gained a nod over her.
On a slightly unrelated note, I ADORE Arianne and think she’s been overlooked far too long in the past, but I always considered her more of a Supporting Actress. I find it odd that she submitted, and got nominated, in the Lead category.
My first choice would be Eileen Davidson but Heather Tom’s reel was amazing, yes she’s one two years in a row now but this reel is her strongest and she was on fire! I think Eileen deserves it more though.
She’s actually won three years in a row. Won in supporting the year before going to lead. It’s time for another fine actress to get the gold.
It’s a clear race between Eileen and Heather. I’m pulling for Eileen! DAYS first Lead Actress win and hardware recognition to the best actress of 2013.
….My mistake. First Lead Actress win since Susan Flannery in 1975!
isn’t that something : 1975 – 2014 : 39 years later
from Susan Flannery
to Eileen Davidson
in between ALL this
Days of OUR Lives swimmingly surpassed eclipsed reigns and supremes ALL others…
I daresay… this year should include a WIN for two years in a row…. best show
I am continually bowled over… at the seamless execution… of DAYS production… a cohesive knit gelling feather in their cap…. accolades
Triumphant
my “DAYS” in Salem
Loving it
I do feel any of the 4 nominated are all that good..
there has much better by others in the soaps, for the year..
There are many opinions of who should win..
everybody has their likes and dislikes, as do the Judges..
The judges will pick who they like better, not necessarily who is the best 🙂
As the people here, liking this one over that one, so will the judges..
It is a win by personal opinions ..
I so want the ladies from DOOL to win so bad but that reel from Heather Tom is awesome..Based on reels, she will be once again the emmy winner..Everywhere she goes, she is awesome.
Hope Eileen get enough votes from the veteran voters and win a much deserved Emmy.
I know I shouldn’t hope for such a thing, but hopefully her Days and Y&R friends voted for her.
Eileen Davidson is the consummate professional
even after being fired/let go.. from Y&R… she remained
what a person… to go back and forth and ream multitudes of … and new generations of : legions of FANS
isn’t it so like her… to put aside… step aside… and just deliver … HER product… her range of acting choices… that continually resonate… almost dependable… and taken for granted….
a true tour de force acting bonanza… a steely inner resolve that comes to show… meets her mark… she sparks… makes alive… what you will…
i’m in satiated mode… feasted… beaming… OK… she’s the best in the business… has been
standing ovation for this lady
@Jules… I know what you mean… what with CBS having 2 shows to block… and steal a win
I don’t get the fascination… of Heather Tom… after she’s done crying… and pained out…
what’s she about?
Eileen Davidson for the record
@Patrick I think this could go three ways ED because she had a good reel never won before, HT because we like over kill think Erika Slezak, Tony Geary, Justin Deas & Kim Zimmer. Or KKL if Brad Bell called in all his markers! Lol
Most definitely Eileen Davidson! She displayed more than ONE emotion out of all the reels in this category. Not only was she great in this scene but GREAT all year on Days.
Eileen Davidson from this list, but where is Laura Wright??
the expression when hell freezes over is so true in the case of katherine kelly lang, a raszberrie award yes, an emmy? heather tom, will probably submit something were she will be crying alot, an for some reason they call that acting, i prefer to a toss to either of the dool ladies, over bb. but overall worse group of nominees i’ve seen in a while.
I watch Days and love both Eileen and Arianne…but Eileen deserves this one all the way!!
They are all really good but I’d love to see Katherine Kelly Lang win. She’s been nominated many times and never won. I’d also like to see Doug Davidson win. He’s never won before either. I’d like to see some of the ones that have won so many times before take their name out of the pot and give others a chance to win. It seems that the same ones win over and over. JMO
KKL was only nominated twice- once last year, where she lost, and this year.
DD won last year for Lead Actor.
Arianne Zucker. I don’t watch any of the shows nominated but watching these. She deserved it. She was the most natural actor and even to get her point across she didn’t chew the scenery. I have watched her on days and she has the talent.
As an actor, Im gonna through my opinion in. And before anyone yells at me, Im just stating my opinion. I watch these shows year round, and definitely agree it should go to ED based on her performance all year. But panel voters only judge on the reels, and I must say as much as I LOVE ED, HT’s reel is an actors dream. Maybe Im losing my mind, but I remember another scene that ED and DH shared that was mesmerizing. It took place in the living room as well. I remember Kristen pulling on her hair in the mirror as if she was going bananas. Now that scene was fire. She went from yelling at Marlena to weeping for what she lost. Maybe that was after the video tape fiasco. Anyway, I can see this going to HT based solely on the reel. Not every panel voter watches all year like we do.
Would love to see Arianne Zucker win. She has been consistently strong in portraying all the different sides of Nicole. She can display a variety of emotions so naturally – she can be vulnerable, mean, tough, angry,, sweet, manipulative, untruthful, compassionate, sensitive, loving, and she is believeable in all roles.
Eileen Davidson is excellent too, she has done a great job portraying the evil, manipulative, vengeful Kristen, but Arianne has been portraying Nicole for a long time , and she has shown a wide range of emotions and character personality.
Heather Tom just own her 3rd Lead Actress Emmy. Flawless reel.
Heather Tom accolades her red carpet
“My post partum was ugly and brutal.. but that did not force you in to bed with each other”
Histrionics… not emmy work. “ruined, my life”
“if you dare” as she tells Bill … Leave my house
I listen to my heart beating… her bun pulled back too severe rote volumes… step down
collect your treasures.. those 5 emmys and skip real
you didn’t have it
Joan Crawford did better
dollar Bill and Brooke actually let her acting anguish and deal loss
she’s not parlaying any thing in the history books… by winning… her 6th emmy
she doesnt deserve it this year
“the rest of your putrid little life”
as Kristen gold digs saint Marlena
He was all over me
his pants weren’t down to his ankles.. but… he acted with
he salivated his extra part and come hithered his cro-magnon
the writing… for DAYS which as stated goes hand in hand… the ante that the actors produce WITH: production
is STELLAR
standing ovation… what an opportune time.. it IS to be a Salem’ite.
beyond expectation
Eileen Davidson : did this with: cast , crew, and writing team… BRAVO
dance
celebrate
she wins
as she always does
salute
I want a two-way tie between Arianne and Eileen.
Nichole Waker/ Ms. Zucker. Very intense scenes difficult life decisions that are so dramatic because of the
Demeanor of this brilliant actress.
Days of Our Lives is the BEST daytime drama ever! Their actors are all so talented. Nicole Walker (Ms. Zucker) is one of the best actresses I have ever seen. I liked her best when she is bubbly and funny but she really can show deep emotion like know one I’ve ever seen before. I hope the writers keep up their great work. Everyone deserves an Emmy on that show!!!!!
HEATHER TOM!!!!