When the nominations were revealed for the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, General Hospital mainstay, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), was recognized for her stunning work in the Alexis-centric standalone episode which honored her 25th anniversary with the ABC daytime drama series.
Grahn, is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner. She won back in 1989 in a tie for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her work as Julia Wainwright on Santa Barbara along with All My Children’s Debbi Morgan, and again received the honors in that category in 2012 for her work on General Hospital.
Now. she is vying for the gold in 2022 in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category against other formidable actresses including: B&B’s Kimberlin Brown, DAYS Stacy Haiduk, Y&R’s Melissa Ordway, and her GH castmate, Kelly Thiebaud.
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Nancy to talk about her decision to enter the Emmy race this year, her powerful and moving scenes, why this nomination is significant and important to her, and her take on some very important social issues of our time.
Always candid, insightful, combined with great humor and wit, here’s what Nancy had to share below, and make sure to check out GH this week when sparks fly between Alexis and Gregory (Gregory Harrison). Will he turn out to be the new beau in Alexis’ life? Stay tuned.

Courtesy/ABC
Congratulations on the Emmy nomination. How do you feel about being in the running again, especially with the material from your 25th anniversary episode?
NANCY: You know, I don’t submit myself if I don’t think I have something, and I didn’t last year. This year, I had the one show, and the first reason I submitted myself was I had the episode that was worthy of the competition. These judges have to sit, and watch this stuff, and very often, it’s hard to watch soap opera scenes. It really is, unless you’re in it. It’s a different kind of material that most primetime people aren’t used to watching. So, it’s tricky business. I don’t want to put them through anything too awful. I don’t want to torture them and I’ve judged before. It can be a bit tedious. So, for me to submit myself, I thought, it has to be something that isn’t going to torture another human being. The second thing is, older women get marginalized the older they get, and they get diminished very often, and every time we get nominated, it means something different to me. This time, to me, I want it to somehow be symbolic, or a shoutout to women who are still producing, who have been doing their job for a long time and are still doing it good enough, and that it’s still worthy of respect and recognition.
When we were at the GH Convention back in March, I played the scene on-stage for the fans in attendance of when Alexis goes over to the corner of Kevin’s office and heals her younger self. You saw the reaction just from the fans. It’s such a beautiful moment within the story. What did you think about how the standalone episode was crafted?
NANCY: It was a different experience for me because GH co-head writers Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, and script writer, Scott Sickles gave it the attention, but even more to that, they allowed me to participate in the creation of it. They allowed the director, Phideaux Xavier, to participate. We all sat in a room. They said, “You know what? Make it how you’re comfortable with it.” There were so many people who gave it time and effort, and Phideaux gets a lot of credit because he came up with a lot of ideas. So, the little girl in the therapy room wasn’t initially a part of it. That was Phideaux’s idea, and they let us alter things, and they allowed me to write some words that meant something to me with the character. Our producers, Michelle Henry and M.K Weir, who I both adore, were also a part of this.

Courtesy/ABC
That is great to hear that you were involved in the collaborative process of the creation of the episode.
NANCY: We read through the whole script, and we worked it like you would on primetime. We went through it like, “Does this moment work? Does that moment work? Does this make sense? Does that make sense?” We never do that in soaps. We don’t get to that. So, it was a gift to me. It really was. Chris and Dan, and Scott and Phideaux, and the two producers, generosity in gifting me that experience and making sure that it was to everybody’s liking, was really very special to me, and it meant a lot.
Did you come up with the key lines which summarized Alexis as a person and her journey: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a fighter, and an idealist and an advocate?”
NANCY: No. They designed it, but we were allowed to enhance and contribute creatively to it, and, we don’t normally have the time to do that. They don’t have the time to – and you can’t allow people to do that with every episode, to be creatively participating, because it would turn into madness with everybody.
Then, when it came down to choosing the scenes from your anniversary episode to include for your Emmy submission, was that a challenging process of which moments to go with?
NANCY: I just told a little story with it with the time that I had, and so, I edited it with a friend of mine. I did a sort of pre-edit on it, I’m good at that, and handed the timeline to our editor, who nicely put it together. It took very little effort.
In my humble opinion, I think that episode featured one of your all-time best performances.
NANCY: Thank you. There was a nice effort from everybody, from the lighting to everybody else, and all the effort Phideaux put into it. He worked so hard on that! It was fun for us. It was like the old days where you really got to work something out.

Photo: ABC
It truly harkened back to everything we knew up to that point about Alexis and her past as well, and included a montage of scenes over the years.
NANCY: I think it was M.K. who put that together, but when you’re working at the pace we’re working now, to have to sit and put together a montage of twenty-five years, that’s not an easy feat. Nobody has time for that anymore, but they did it, and like I said, it was really, really appreciated. My only thought with it is that I wanted it to be relatable to other people. I didn’t want it to just be some, you know, self-indulgent Alexis episode. I knew that by bringing in the little girl and talking about people being hurt in their childhood and how that makes somebody feel that it was probably relatable to many people, and so it became meaningful to other people and not just me.
Do you think you’ll attend the Daytime Emmys? I know the last time you won you were not present.
NANCY: Yeah, I’m planning on it. I mean, barring anything happening! (Laughs)
Does it feel nice to be recognized by your peers?
NANCY: Of course, it does. It always does, and way too often, women who are still producing well in their jobs, don’t get the respect and the acknowledgment for it. So, that’s why I’m saying, this is no small thing, and that I want other women to know that I know that, and that I wish for them the same thing.
What was the reaction of your daughter, Kate and your fiancé, Richard, when you told them you were Emmy-nominated?
NANCY: Richie goes, “What is this? Your 18th nomination?” (Laughs). You know what I mean? It was just kind of like, “Yeah, sure, why wouldn’t you be?” It wasn’t like, “Oh, my God!” It was like they kind of expected that. That was nice! I’m glad they feel that way. I’m glad they weren’t surprised. They were like, “Sure! Of course, you would be. Why wouldn’t you be?” I said, “You know, it doesn’t always work like that!”

Photo: JPI
Now comes the part of having to find a dress and all that goes with it for the red carpet. Do you enjoy that part?
NANCY: No, I hate that part. That is my… oh ‘boohoo’, you know? I mean, I have to find something to wear. Also, the older you get, that becomes so much less important, and the more makeup, and the more hair, and the more foofy, the more ridiculous I look. I start looking like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. You’ve just got to keep it simple.
You were talking about women and ageism. Do you not feel that also exists for men?
NANCY: It exists for men, but it’s not at all on the same par as women. I mean, men still get paid more than women, and men still are valued more than women. I mean, there are exceptions, but if you look in any place of employment, even the soaps, you will typically find the men making more money than the women, and the older the women get, the less they get. Life’s not fair right now. It’s fairer than it was, but still the equality game is not won yet.

Photo: JPI
I know how much all of this means to you in terms of equality for women, and people being run out of their jobs because of their age.
NANCY: It’s just a reality. It’s not something that I’m hopeless about, but I have a story to tell. I’ll tell it when the time is right. It’s life! It happens in every field everywhere. When my mom was 70, she was still producing the exact same way she was producing when she was 30, and she got run out, and was replaced by a man who was 40 or something, and there was no particular reason for it. It was just, “You’re done. We decided you’re done,” but like I said, it happens everywhere, in every line of work, and that’s why I just wanted to give a shout-out, when you still, after 36 years, can be recognized or shown respect or acknowledgment for what your do. It’s a very big deal that I am appreciative of and grateful for.
So, rooting for Nancy to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress prize? Happy she was nominated for her work in the the milestone episode devoted to Alexis? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and to tune-in to the 49th annual Daytime Emmy Awards on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 24th.
If Jason Thompson doesn’t win, the thing is rigged…
i agreewith u on that kristin t
totally agree!
Jason Thompson by far! He had a fantastic year!
Hoping for a win for Jason Thompson! His scenes on the day of Robin’s funeral, in fact during the whole storyline from Robin’s “death” on, were absolutely heartbreaking! Jason is long overdue for an Emmy, and I am hoping this will be his year to win it!
All great performances! Rooting for Jason Thompson though!
Doug Davidson all the way! Way overdue with all of his work over the years….go get them Doug!
Jason Thompson!
It’s between Jason Thompson and Doug Davidson!
HUGE fan of Jason Thompson, but WOW was Doug Davidson good. Tough choice!
This has got to go to Doug. Fantastic scenes and the guilt after killing his son.
Jason please!!
Doug Davidson he’s fantastic!!!!
Doug Davidson for sure. Or Michael Muhney
I think Jason Thompson she win he is so good
Jason Thompson gets my vote!
I totally agree with Ann & Derrick: It’s a toss up between Jason Thompson abd Doug Davidson. Both performances just ripped your heart out.
Either Jason or Doug will win.
Doug by far. His work is so much deeper than Jason Thomson, although good, but not the depth that age and wisdom bring with time on the planet
Probably Jason Thompson will take it home and he was very good. Sentimental favorite for me is Doug Davidson he is the nicest funniest man in daytime and he has been doing this for 35 years and I believe he will never carry storyline again under this EP/writers. Good luck DD!
I Love General Hospital. Have watched it since it has been on.
It seems like Jason Thompson – I could really feel his pain. I may be bias though since that’s the show I watch. Next, I thought Doug Davidson. Everyone was very good.
I want Doug Davidson, powerful performance when Paul had to kill his own son.. He just celebrated his 35 years on Y&R and a Emmy win would be icing on the cake.
DOUG DAVIDSON. No question!!
It has to go to Doug Davidson! The other performances were good, but not “outstanding” and isn’t that what they’re awarding? Doug Davidson fits the bill inside and out.
I think this is the only catagory the Emmys got right this year. Any one of these four incredible actors deserve to win, but I think it is clear the only real “winners” here are us daytime fans who get to watch these men every day. I would love to see Doug Davidson get his long overdue statue, but I couldn’t help but be disappointed by the reel he submitted. While it was great and anyone can see he was acting his ass off, I think there were other scenes that would just have been a clear winner. Jason Thompson’s… Read more »
DOUG DAVIDSON IS MY CHOICE FOR THE AWARD. HIS PERFORMANCE WAS SO TOUCHING AN BELIEVABLE. HE IS REALLY A PRO IN A DIFFICULT ROLE. FINALLY AN INTERESTING CHARACHTER AND STORY.
Jason Thompson should win.
I find it pretty bizarre that 3 actors from Young and the Restless were nominated in this category, but only one actor from another show. Doesn’t seem to be a very fair representation of all the quality work done in daytime last year. Just my opinion.
Such great performances, but Jason Thompson is the Gold Standard this year in this category. His performance is heartbreaking, yet so subtle. If there is any justice in this world, he will finally win this year. He truly deserves it…hands down.
Don’t envy the Emmy voters having to choose between Jason Thompson’s and Doug Davidson’s reels! Jason Thompson was so beautifully poignant and genuine in his episode but his reel was quite short. IMO Doug Davidson was able to show more range with his story and his reel built to a final emotional ending which left an impact – so I think he might just have the edge here. Hope so – he’s been such a under appreciated performer and so good for so many years it would be nice to see him finally walk home with the gold.
Doug Davidson should win, hands down!
DOUG DAVIDSON, by far! his reel was much deeper than any of the others. subtle, but fully committed. a true outstanding actor in a drama series! he’s the only one that fits the bill inside and out!!!
Doug Davidson for the win. If not Doug, then it should be Jason Thompson (even though I do not watch GH at all). What tipped the scales for me was the last couple of minutes of Doug’s reel. That was when I knew it had to be Doug for the Emmy. And I agree, that this was the one category that the Emmy voters got right this year. As for the person complaining that Y&R had 3 actors and any other show only had 1…..here’s food for thought: perhaps it is because the actors from Y&R were able to take… Read more »
That is an excellent point. I was someone who was originally put off by other shows’ actors being overlooked, but you are completely right. The material they had to deal with was less than subpar and for these three Y&R actors to bring that awful writing to life in a POSITIVE way is very commendable.
jason thompson all dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Doug Davidson is a talented actor but this year belongs to Mr. Thompson. His portrayal of the broken hearted widower and single dad was understated, heart-felt, and real on every level. The performances goes in the books with all time daytime performances. Judith Light, Tony Geary, Kim Zimmerman, and Erika Slezak make room on the bench. A superstar is born!
3 actors from one soap??? Come on. Seems like Doug should be Supporting not Lead? Jason definitely deserves….from the reels alone!
During that story “Paul” was investigating his son for a prior murder this was the lead up of killing “Ricky”. Doug wasn’t supporting but front & center lead in story….Paul baby…(as I cross my fingers)
That isn’t Y&R fault, that there are three nominees, the actors submit their work, I thought Eric Braeden should have been one of them, but he said he didn’t submit anything.
i watch GH but i gotta say, DD was phenomenal in his reel. older, more nuanced and mature actor. but JT was great, too.
Jason Thompson hands down but I’m caught between him Doug. Man this is tough. Its like last year I thought Becky was gonna win and Nancy ended up winning.
Doug Davidson!!!! Not only did he have much less to work with than any of the other nominees this year, but his performances since day one have been honest, true, and so from the heart you don’t even feel he is acting. That is what makes a true Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series…someone who “acts” with the absence of the “acting”.
My vote goes to Doug Davidson!! I watched all of the reels and his performance was by far the BEST!! Doug is an established actor who truly deserves an Emmy. The other nominations were good but Doug’s was outstanding!!
Doug Davidson or Michael Muhney are the two that have me going the most!
Jason Thompson. This story played out over weeks and JT kept right up with the pain. He didn’t scream, or throw temper tantrums ,he just reached down and brought up the pain. You had to know Kim was dead in these scenes and they were on their way to say goodbye to Robin. great work, DD had been one actor I liked when I watched Y&R,I don’t now. JT should have won last year also.
Doug David is phenomenal! He is multidimensional- the layers of emotion and conflict he displays is stellar…. True human behavior! He should be on Prime Time! Doug Davidson should ABSOLULTELY WIN!!!!
Its toss up between Doug Davidson and Jason Thompson. The spoiler is Michael Muhney.