Days Of Our Lives
WATCH: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series Nominee Reels : McKay, Sweeney, Tognoni, West & Wright Vie For The Gold!

Courtesy/NATAS
Five women have been nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for this year’s 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards to be presented live on Sunday night, April 26th only on Pop starting at 8PMET/5PMPT.
Vying for the gold are Days of our Lives Peggy McKay as Caroline Brady and Alison Sweeney as Sami Brady. In the running from General Hospital are Maura West as Ava Jerome, and Laura Wright as Carly Corinthos Jax. Nominated from The Young and the Restless is Gina Tognoni as Phyllis Summers.
Maura West and Gina Tognoni have previously won two Daytime Emmys for their work on As the World Turns and Guiding Light, respectively. Laura Wright has won once as Carly on GH. Alison Sweeney has never received a Daytime Emmy nomination in her long and storied almost 22-year-run on Days of our Lives, and Peggy McKay has been nominated two times previously, and once for Lead Actress.
After the jump watch the five actresses nominated work and their official submissions that got them to be part of the “Fab Five” on daytime’s biggest night of the year! Then let us know, who do you think should take home the gold? Who are you rooting for?
Peggy McCay – Daytime Emmys
Alison Sweeney – Daytime Emmys
🙂 MAURA WEST 🙂
GAME OVER
I second that, Jeremy..
I love Alison Sweeney, but, she knew all the quirks, the nuances and what and what-nots about DOOL.
Maura West came to GH with nothing except her talent…and boy, did she use that gift. No sooner did she walk on stage, the scene was hers…she own it and every other one following. When Ava appeared, I knew I was not going to be left empty- handed……Say or think what you will….but, THAT, my friends, is the difference between the two. ( in my opinion)
GAME OVER, INDEED!!!
Alison or Maura…why isnt FH-Anna Devane in the lead instead of supporting…she’s been on and off GH since the 80s…now i like Maura but she’s only been on GH for a few years—Finola started back in the 80s with some time away from the show…FH importance seems to be somewhat diminished of late but i still consider her more of a leading lady…jmo!!!
It’s Ali’s time! She more than deserves it! Her work last year (and the last 22 years) were beyond EPIC!!! The fact that this is her first nomination is ridiculous IMO! #TimeForSweeneyToWin
I with you
Hands down’
#1 Maura West ….
and both .. Laura Wright and Peddy McCay.. very close to #1 / tie ..
This award belongs to Allison Sweeney…all the reels were the great work of each of these ladies.
I pulling for Alison Sweeney, her reel is top notch. Maura West has a very good reel as well. Gina is not to be counted out of the race.
tognoni? she sucks!!!!!hahahahaah who nominates this , now sweeney is totally the winner!!!
Very tough choice. Based on the reels alone might have to give it to Gina T. I’ve never watched an episode of YR in my life and I don”t know her from any other work, but was very impressed with her reel. McKay’s reel was also extremely good (I know she doesn’t belong in this category, but setting that aside).
The others: Sweeney was overacting here, in my opinion. West gave a good performance but I don’t think the reel as a whole showed her at her best – ditto for Wright.
Damn surprised myself, but as a GH fan (and Days legacy fan), I’d probably vote Tognoni or McKay. Tognoni’s performance was slightly more impressive but would be very nice to see trouper McKay win.
hey Nick D. I too, do not watch Y&R – at all, and yet, I too, was so impressed with Gina Tognoni’s reel. Wow. So good! However, I remain committed to Maura West.
Can never go wrong with MW
Can never go wrong with Maura West, FOR SURE!!!
I know it’s the much maligned “crypt sex” episode but Maura West’s reel had the most emotional impact for my money. Sweeney’s is a dream sequence which undercuts the impact for me, Tognoni and Wright’s reels are just lots of yelling, and McKay should be in the supporting category,
I would like to see Sweeney take it even though not crazy about her reel. Not really impressed by any of them to be honest I know what KKL/Brooke of B&B submitted in her pre-nom personally this should have been her year. It was subtle and I like that!
Let me just say bravo to all these ladies they turned in great reels. Here’s how I rank them
5:McKay: It’s the shortest reel but it’s also the most heartwarming. McKay is wonderful in this this as she talks about the wedding. She could shock and win but the nomination is a win.
4:Sweeney: The favorite in this category. She had the best year last year as an actress. Her reel is the longest it’s the fake out but hers the problem while she wss good her reel was a little overwrought. Another problem is three actresses Wrigjt/West/Tognoni all outshone her.
3: Maura West: She is simply divine in this. She can read the phone book and she’s already a two time emmy winner. Fabulous sexy scenes in the crypt and it’s a reel that excited u and riveted u.
2:Laura Wright: She’s the dark horse here. She gives the best work of her career in this reel and does a fabulous job acting opposite of Roger Howarth. Her range and subtly is fantsstic. She totally takes charge here. Again she’s the dark horse upset.
1: Gina Tognoni: She’s a revelation in these scenes with Peter Bergman. This is the kind of reel that wins emmy. It really takes u on the journey of Phyllis feels about Jack being with another women. There’s tons of range and emotions. Phyllis is nasty, hard, angry, sad but she makes u feel vulnerability. It’s a complete story in this reel. Tognoni is fierce here. Plus her being the only CBS nominee might give her advantage the others might get their votes split.
Powerhouse!! Maura West all the way 🙂
Powerhouse!!! I’ll say!!!
Hands down winner is Alison Sweeney. I have never really bought into the character of Sami Brady over the years. She was not a captivating actress. But her last year made up for all of her previous years. She suddenly found herself and acted the hell out of every scene. Even though the submitted scene was a dream sequence it was so well acted that when the actual truth came out it was almost a let down. Her acting with James Scott is stellar. They had the true definition of chemistry. It was a dream sequence so of course she had to overact. That is a necessity of a scene like that. But her moods and reactions were right on point. The reel was a tad too long but it did it’s job. If Alison does not win then the trophy should go to Maura West as Ava Jerome. Maura West is the last of a dying breed of daytime actresses. She has such precision and skill in her acting. She is ALWAYS on point with whatever character she takes on. There are not many actresses like her. I thought the scene with her and Sonny in the crypt was stellar. Totally in keeping with the characters personalities. Both actors Maura West and Maurice Bernard portray their disgust with themselves. They are honest enough to admit their weaknesses and still take it down a notch. I mean sex in a crypt? Geebus! Maura was bouncing off the top notch acting of Mr. Bernard and adding her own magic. They are just perfection together. She deserves the recognition for her superb work on General Hospital. As for the other three actresses nominated they were good as well but Laura Wright’s scenes were the wrong ones to submit. And that story line didn’t belong to Laura Wright. It belonged to Roger Howarth for his perfection. Laura Wright just benefitted from how she reacted to his acting catalysts. I love Laura Wright’s work on General Hospital and I love her character of Carly Jax Corinthos. But this isn’t her year. Gina Tognoni was great in her portrayal of Phyllis Newman but her arrival into that character is too new. She hasn’t found her space yet. She is doing a great job and it’s a hard one replacing Michelle Stafford but she is taking it on with relish. I just don’t think the story was strong enough. She deserves the nomination but not the win. And finally Peggy McKay. Really? She deserves neither the nomination nor the award. Plenty of actresses have taken on the storyline of Alzheimers and growing old. Her scene was confusing and messy. It had no substance nor merit. She did nothing to warrant attention for that scene. Especially in a leading actress role. Her character isn’t a lead character any way. In fact it’s so rare to see her on the show that she should be nominated in the guest actress category if at all. In my opinion her nomination was strictly for the subject matter of Alzheimers which they haven’t really explored in any depth. So she does not warrant recognition for it. It’s time to correct an age old wrong. Give Alison Sweeney the award. She earned it for sure. But if you have to go off course then go to Maura West because she is a pure winner.
Peggy McCay has been acting since 1949 and has played more character actors than any other actor. She puts her heart and soul into each and every scene. Actors can only do what the writers give them. She is truly a gifted actress and deserves whatever award they give her. She was very touching in her scene at the wedding and drew many tears. Obviously you’re not familiar with her acting career. Look up her bio……
The Emmy she is nominated for is not for her “previous” work. I did not say she was not an experienced actress, nor did I say she hadn’t done previous stellar work. My decision is based SOLELY on her Emmy reel that she herself submitted. Her role on Days is not a leading role. The reel submitted, while tender, is not even the least bit meaty in any way. So basically Peggy McCay’s previous credits attributed to her in the IMDB has zero bearing on her nomination. She is not deserving of an award because her work was submitted in the wrong category and it was also not Emmy worthy.
I watch all the shows but Allison has killed on DAYS for years. So Allison, Allison, Allison!!!!
Alison Sweeney gets her first emmy nomination after 22 yrs in daytime and most of y’all criticized her reel , say there is overacting. Everbody has a opinion , I like Maura West , but some of comments I have read. Think she is all that and bag of chips. She only a two time emmy winner. I like her reel , but Alison , Laura, & Gina reels are just as good if not better. So all of these ladies are deserving. But Maura West is no Jeanne Cooper, Susan Flannery, Erica Slezak, Heather Tom , Elieen Davidsion & etc
Maura West, not even close!!!
They’re all great reels in my opinion, but I’m gonna be loyal to the show I watch, and that’s GH. It’s hard to pick between Laura Wright and Maura West. Both were excellent here. I liked Maura’s just a little more, so I’m going with her.
I also want to make mention, Maurice Benard once again proves here as he did in Chad Duell’s reel that it’s a damn shame that he gets overlooked for award consideration every year. The same for Roger Howarth in Laura Wright’s reel. He was tremendous in that episode as well. Don’t remember seeing either guys name on the pre-nom list, so it’s possible neither chose to submit their name this year, but either way, both should be recognized for their excellent work.
Alison Sweeney got it right in her choice of what to submit. I hope she wins. She deserves it.
Alison and James Scott also both got it right in deciding to discontinue their roles…at least for now. The EJami story had run its course. This clip captures their relationship/story perfectly. There was no where else for the EJami story to go. This clip showed the best and worse of EJami.
Maura West all the way..she had the best reel wuth the biggest emotional punch. She deserves to win.
Maura West is the winner for me. Gina Tognoni is a close 2nd. I would almost give both of them the emmy but for me Maura’s had a subtleness about it that didn’t need to be yelling or hysterically crying to get the point across.
As for Alison I thought the reel was good but a little overacted for me (this is coming from a Susan Lucci fan) her reel didn’t move me the way Maura and Gina’s did.
What a sham.
I thought Peggy McCay was the best,with Laura in 2nd. Gina Tognoni is such a ham,overactor,scene scenery chewer,she is all over the place,hope she doesn’t win!
My prediction is Allison Sweeney her reel was the best
Peggy McCay’s speech at her grandson’s wedding was so touching, I had tears in my life.Peggy has surely earned a lifetime achievement award and she really deserves the daytime Emmy. What a wonderful gifted actress!
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.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

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.
Beyond the Gates
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
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