2026 Daytime Emmys: Jonathan Frakes, Katelyn MacMullen, Paul Telfer & More to Present

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) has announced the presenters for the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and TV Insider can exclusively reveal the full lineup ahead of the ceremony on Friday, October 30, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.  

Among the stars representing current daytime dramas are last year’s Lead Actor winner Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis, Days of our Lives) and last year’s Supporting Actress winner Susan Walters (Diane Jenkins, The Young and the Restless). They’ll be joined by Katelyn MacMullen (Willow Tait, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful) and Tamara Tunie (Anita Williams Dupree, Beyond the Gates). 

The lineup includes stars from some of soaps’ beloved past dramas, including Crystal Chappell (Olivia Spencer, Guiding Light; Carly Manning, Days of our Lives), Lesli Kay (ex-Molly Conlon, As the World Turns), Joe Lando (Jake Harrison, One Life to Live; Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman), Eva LaRue (Maria Santos, All My Children), Juliet Mills (Tabitha Lenox, Passions), A Martinez (Dark Winds; Cruz Castillo, Santa Barbara) and Alicia Leigh Willis (Alli Fowler, Another World; Courtney Matthews, General Hospital).  

ABC/Craig Sjodin

Genie Francis, who will mark 50 years since her General Hospital debut as Laura Vining in 2027, is this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Her husband, Star Trek‘s Jonathan Frakes, will present her with the honor. The couple met while filming the 1982 nighttime drama Bare Essence, then reconnected on the popular 1985 miniseries North and South and began dating. They married on May 28, 1988.  

Related

Michelle Stafford, Karla Mosley, Roger Howarth & More Share Daytime Emmy Reactions

Additional presenters representing this year’s nominated lifestyle programs and dramas include Derek Hough (Extra), Sunny Hostin (The View), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), James Preston (The Bay), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen). Matthew Hoffman (Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God.  

Beginning Monday, October 26, Extra will partner with NATAS for five nights of Daytime Emmy coverage leading up to the ceremony, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the awards. Mona Kosar Abdi, the program’s weekend host and senior correspondent for Extra, will host the pre-show red carpet stream on @TheEmmys YouTube channel, while correspondent Terri Seymour will cover the festivities throughout the evening. Nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards this year, Extra will also feature red carpet highlights, winner reactions and exclusive footage in its weekend edition the following week.  

“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.” 

The ceremony will stream live on Friday, October 30, on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.  

Daytime Emmys, October 30, Streaming live on the official National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at watch.theemmys.tv and via The Emmys app