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.
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.
Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?
Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

Photo: JPI
DIMERA RIVALRY
After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”
As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Photo: JPI
BELLE OF MY HEART
With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”
Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.
“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart. I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”
But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”
MAKING CHAD HIS OWN
Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Photo: JPI
ICONIC
When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.
“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know? We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.
“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”
Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.
Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.
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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!!!!