The 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards highlight outstanding performances across the best daytime series, showcasing the depth of talent and storytelling that continues to define the genre. Let’s dive into the winner’s predictions for the candidates.
2025 Daytime Emmy Predictions for Emerging Talents: Lisa Yamada, Ashley Bouzemis and more
In the Outstanding Emerging Talent category, Lisa Yamada dominates the conversation with her thrilling turn as Luna Nozawa, whose sudden descent from cute to psychotic drives one of the year’s most compelling storylines. Her work in the Steffy Forrester cage story and subsequent arrest scenes showed an incredible range that wowed audiences.
Ashley Bouzemis as Holly Jonas impressed viewers with her emotional turmoil while her character allowed Tate to take the blame, displaying the complex moral dilemmas that make soap opera storytelling so compelling. AnnaLynne McCord’s Cat Green captured audiences’ attention during her fake Abigail phase, bringing layers of deception and vulnerability to the role. Christian Weisman as Remy Price delivered a disturbing stalker image that kept viewers on their toes, completing a competitive field that still felt like Yamada’s category to lose out on given the startling nature of her villainous role.
2025 Daytime Emmy Predictions for Outstanding Guest Performances: Ally Mills, Linden Ashby, and more
In the Outstanding Guest Performance category, Alley Mills takes the lead in her brief but powerful turn as Heather Webber, navigating prisoner release and prison breakout scenes with emotional precision despite limited material with which to work. Mills has consistently delivered quality performances throughout her career, and her ability to make an impact in her limited screen time speaks volumes about her skill as an actress.
Linden Ashby as Cameron Kirsten followed in lead work in his comeback story tormenting Sharon Newman (Sharon Case), bringing a menacing presence that elevated every scene he was in. The strength and commitment Ashby brought to the role created some of the most memorable moments of the year.
Valarie Pettiford as Amy Lewis, Clint Howard as Tom Starr, Jacqueline Grace Lopez as Blaise, and Avery Pohl as Esme Prince all received recognition for their memorable guest arcs that enriched their respective performances.
Pettiford’s raw debut performance and strong acting background from her extensive stage and television work could make her a surprise contender in this category. Her portrayal of a mother battling cancer while revealing herself as the mother of Nate’s brother brought emotional depth and authenticity. Although Mills remains the front-runner based on name recognition and continued excellence, Pettiford’s strong entry and the emotional weight of her story make this race more competitive than it initially appears.
2025 Daytime Emmy Predictions for Best Supporting Roles: Gregory Harrison, Jonathan Jackson, Michael Graziadei
In the supporting runs, the focus shifts to nuanced, emotionally charged action that demonstrates the genre’s ability to grapple with complex human experiences. Taking home the award for Best Supporting Actor, Gregory Harrison attracts attention for his poignant portrayal of Gregory Chase’s battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and his death while officiating at his son’s wedding. Harrison’s careful balance between celebrating his son’s happiness and confronting his death created powerful television that resonated deeply with audiences, especially those who had experienced similar losses.
Jonathan Jackson as Lucky Spencer impressed with his heartfelt comeback story, reconnecting with family members and confronting regret over his years away as a father. Jackson, who has already won several Emmy Awards, brings his signature depth to material that might have felt routine in less competent hands. Taj Bello as TJ Ashford shined in scenes of emotional separation and the grave that showcased his ability to convey grief and loss with subtlety and power.
Michael Graziadei as Daniel Romalotti lingers as a dark horse contender with scenes grounded opposite his sister Summer Newman (Allison Lanier) and Sharon and notably remains the only candidate still actively appearing in his own soap opera, which could work in his favor with voters.
2025 Daytime Emmy Predictions for Outstanding Supporting Actress: Courtney Hope, Kate Mansi and more
For an outstanding supporting actress, Courtney Hope leads Sally Spectra’s heartbreaking grief through the anniversary of her child’s death, navigating complex feelings of loss while dealing with her breakup with Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) and finding comfort with Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson). Hope brought intense vulnerability to scenes that required her to access deep pain while maintaining the character’s core strength and resilience.
Kate Mansi as Christina Corinthos follows her vulnerable and defiant work in the surrogacy arc, a story that divided audiences but provided Mansi with substantial material to showcase her range. Despite frustration with how the character was rewritten and the controversial nature of the surrogacy story itself, Mansi delivered layered performances that found humanity in difficult situations.
Linsey Godfrey as Sarah Horton provides emotional heft in the hospital scenes after Fiona hits her, capturing the physical and psychological effects of trauma. Susan Walters as Diane Jenkins brought depth to scenes dealing with the aftermath of learning Jack took pills and having problems with her son, Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor), while Emily O’Brien as Theresa Donovan earned credit for farewell scenes that left Salem in shame.
O’Brien herself noted that she doesn’t think this is her year to win, explaining the self-awareness that comes with understanding the competitive landscape. The category will likely narrow down to Hope versus Mansi, with Mansi’s layered performance likely outshining Hope’s more predictable emotional beats, though both actresses gave creditable work.
2025 Daytime Emmy Predictions for Lead Actor: Dominic Zamprogna, Peter Bergman, and More
The Lead Actor category highlights veterans presenting career-defining work and reminds audiences why these artists have remained central to their shows for years. Dominic Zamprogna stars in his haunting portrayal of Dante Falconeri, navigating engagement scenes filled with hope and joy before being wracked by grief after the death of Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco). Zamprogna has consistently delivered solid work throughout his tenure general hospital, This material finally provided him with the moments of exhibition that would qualify him for a well-deserved victory.
Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott remains a close contender for poignant moments opposite Nicky Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) during her emotional spiral, bringing decades of experience to scenes that required him to be both strong and vulnerable as he helped someone he cared about through a crisis.
Greg Rikaart as Leo Stark gets a note of comedic warmth in his babysitting scenes with Judd when Sloan gives birth to him, showing that Emmy-worthy work doesn’t always have to be heavy drama. Eric Martsolf as Brady Black and Paul Telfer as Xander Kiriakis add solid work to the category, with Telfer’s material involving his nagging mother Fiona providing solid exposition moments, though both lack the distinct narrative weight of the front runners.
2025 Daytime Emmy Predictions for Lead Actress: Michelle Stafford, Laura Wright and more
In the lead actress category, Michelle Stafford leads the pack leading up to Phyllis Summers’ dramatic meltdowns after the death of Heather Steffen (Phil Bloom), though some critics called her range limited and noted that she was playing one note for a while. Stafford’s strength and commitment to the character are undeniable, but questions remain about whether she shows enough versatility in her work.
Laura Wright as Carly Spencer impressed with the heartfelt scenes at Bobby’s funeral, bringing real emotion to the moments that honored the character and the late Jacqueline Zeman, who portrayed her. Wright’s unwavering power and ability to anchor emotional storylines has made her one of daytime’s most reliable actresses.
Nancy Lee Grahn as Alexis Davis delivered a restrained, contemplative act that displayed a different kind of strength, proving that quiet moments can be just as powerful as explosive confrontations. Eileen Davidson as Ashley Abbott, Melissa Claire Egan as Chelsea Lawson with material relating to Connor, and Sharon Case as Sharon Newman round out the field, with Case and Wright receiving particular praise for their emotional depth and authenticity.
Case’s work during Linden Ashby’s storyline involving Heather demonstrated her ability to carry complex and dark material. While Stafford is ahead in early projections, Wright’s consistent lead and Case’s resurgence keep this race wide open, and any of the three could win the award.
2025 Daytime Emmy Predictions: Writing Team Awards and Controversy
In total medals, general hospital It dominates the Writing Staff and Outstanding Daytime Drama Series categories, placing itself comfortably at the top The young and the restless and Days of our lives. in spite of The young and the restlessFollowing its unexpected WGA Guild Award win in 2025, viewers continued to be frustrated with the repetitive pacing and uneven story lines under Josh Griffiths.
Many in the industry express confusion about how to do this grate This is a win, as the show often seems to dry up as the story drags on for too long, causing the audience to lose interest even when the underlying material is bearable. Josh Griffiths has been described as the bane of the show, with calls growing for new leadership. General Hospital She overcame her writing turnover and the revolving door of writers to deliver cohesive, emotionally resonant storytelling that enhanced her awards merit.
The nomination fell through during some of that turmoil, making the show’s ability to maintain quality all the more impressive. Days of our lives It showed bursts of creativity but remained uneven, oscillating between archaic drama and extremes that sometimes bordered on parody. The show offers old-fashioned entertainment that fans love for their willingness to try anything, but the tonal inconsistency can be annoying.
Daytime Emmy Predictions for 2025: Beyond the Gates General Hospital Rises and Dominates
Places of consensus General Hospital As the clear favorite to sweep the major categories based on superior writing, stronger team performances, and more consistent storytelling throughout the eligibility period. The show manages to balance multiple storylines while providing the cast with fodder for why soap operas remain a vital part of television. However, the industry buzz indicates that the soap is on the rise Beyond the gates This balance may be upset in the coming years, forcing established dramas to evolve or risk losing dominance.
The new show represents new energy and innovation in a genre that sometimes struggles to stay relevant to younger audiences while respecting the traditions that made it successful. if General Hospital Maintaining its strong cast and improved pace, it can extend its winning streak and continue its reign as a leading daytime drama.
However, a new wave of daytime innovation could make this the undisputed final year for the long-reigning favorite, with increased competition and new voices bringing different perspectives to the storytelling. The scene is changing, and all the while General Hospital It appears poised to triumph in 2025, but the future may need to adapt and evolve to maintain its place at the top of daytime television.
