21 Actors to Keep in Mind for Next Year’s Daytime Emmys (PHOTOS)
LEAD ACTOR: Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R)
Bergman has three Daytime Emmys on his mantle for playing Jack and he deserves to be nominated again for his work in the storyline that has his character agonizing over finding out that the most important man in his life — John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) — isn’t his father after all.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Sal Stowers (Lani, DAYS)
The death of little Abraham David Grant will go down as one of the saddest moments in DAYS’ history. Stowers was riveting as a mother who suffered a devastating loss when her baby boy passed away.
LEAD ACTRESS: Sharon Case (Sharon, Y&R)
Whether she’s comically dumping a bowl of oatmeal on her cheating boyfriend Scott (Daniel Hall), tenderly reuniting with true love Nick (Joshua Morrow), or covering up her role in a murder, Case always delivers. Her acting choices are often understated, but consistently memorable.
LEAD ACTOR: Joshua Morrow (Nick, Y&R)
Morrow shines in storylines that jeopardize Nick’s children. Remember when Cassie, played by Camryn Grimes, died? Morrow was robbed of a nomination then, but he should be given one next year for Nick passionately telling his dad Victor (Eric Braeden) how devastating it was going to be for little Christian to be taken away from him.
LEAD ACTRESS: Maura West (Ava, GH)
Actors can select from multiple shows for their reels, but West need only choose from the stand-alone episode in which Ava went under the knife to regain her beauty. In the process, she exposed her fears and also showed her strength and resolve.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy, B&B)
A previous nominee, Wood turned in some of her best work this year in January as Steffy begged Liam (Scott Clifton) to forgive her for needing to get a paternity test on her unborn baby.
LEAD ACTOR: Michael Easton (Dr. Hamilton Finn, GH)
Easton proved he’s adept at comedy when he was held captive by international whack job Cesar Faison (Anders Hove). He delivers in romantic storylines with both Finola Hughes’ Anna and Nancy Lee Grahn’s Alexis; there’s likely even more to come if and when the show delves into Finn’s strained dynamic with his half-brother Chase (Josh Swickard).
GUEST PERFORMER: Max Gail (Mike, GH)
Mike’s been around for years but Gail is new to the role and is delivering performances that are both poignant and powerful as Mike grapples with his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Kristen Storms (Maxie, GH)
Storms broke our hearts as her pregnant character Maxie had to say goodbye to Nathan (Ryan Paevey), her hunky husband who lost his life thanks, in part, to the misguided actions of Maxie’s pal Lulu (Emme Rylan).
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Darin Brooks (Wyatt, B&B)
A previous winner for his role as Max on DAYS, Brooks should garner a nod for playing Wyatt, who always delivers whether he’s blasting his controlling dad, Bill (Don Diamont), or being the playful romantic with Sally (Courtney Hope) or Katie (Heather Tom).
YOUNGER ACTRESS: Chloe Lanier (Nelle, GH)
This year’s winner for Outstanding Younger Leading Actress, Lanier deserves a bookend for her continued performances as the wickedly deceitful Nelle. She’s turned taunting Carly (Laura Wright) — “Can I call you ‘Mom’?” — into a spectator sport.
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Lamon Archey (Eli, DAYS)
Archey was handed some heavy material when the show killed off Eli’s newborn son. Eli could barely maintain his composure when Kayla (Mary Beth) told him his child didn’t make it, but the devastated dad proved to be a rock when the baby’s mom, Lani (Sal Stowers), needed him the most.
GUEST PERFORMER: Patricia Bethune (Nurse Mary Pat, GH)
Bethune’s chilling as the Ferncliff nurse who takes no gruff from Carly. Part Annie Wilkes/part Nurse Ratched, Bethune’s character takes delight in her patient’s distress.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Beth Maitland (Traci, Y&R)
Whether she’s giving emotional speeches at Walnut Grove or a pep talk to half-brother Jack (Peter Bergman), Maitland is clearly the heart and soul of Y&R. She’s the show’s first acting winner and should be the next one, too!
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Robert Scott Wilson (Ben, DAYS)
Wilson was handed the thankless role of a serial killer a while back, but his compelling performances prompted DAYS to bring back the actor. Can a murderer really be redeemed? Wilson appears to be proving that the answer is yes.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Kathleen Gati (Dr. Leisl Obrecht, GH)
Gati took a short-term role and turned it into one of GH’s most memorable characters, whose recent crimes includes kidnapping Peter (Wes Ramsey). Her reel has to include her saying to her captive “If I choose to call you Flopsy Cotton Bottom, there’s nothing you can do to stop me!”
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Amelia Heinle (Victoria, Y&R)
Heinle turned in a compelling performance when she showed that nearly anyone can fall prey to an emotional abuser as Victoria did when she kept giving her abusive ex-J.T. (Thad Luckinbill) pass after pass after pass.
YOUNGER ACTRESS: Victoria Konefal (Ciara, DAYS)
It’s no easy trick, but Konefal makes it believable that Ciara could have compassion for serial killer Ben (Robert Scott Wilson). The actress never fails to remind viewers that Ciara is the embodiment of both of her parents — Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso), arguably the show’s most popular couple ever.
LEAD ACTOR: Don Diamont (Bill, B&B)
Diamont makes playing ruthless “Dollar” Bill Spencer look easy but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take skill, preparation, and hard work. One minute, Bill’s threatening his kids, and the next, he’s cutting open an emotional vein. He’s a character viewers love to hate.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Jen Lilley (Theresa, DAYS)
Lilley’s return as Theresa has been a highlight for DAYS this year. There may be no winners in Tate’s custody battle, but come Emmy time it’d be great to see Lilley walk off with some gold.
LEAD ACTOR: Scott Clifton (Liam, B&B)
Like his leading lady Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy) did, Clifton performed some of his best work in January of this year. Liam discovering his wife had cheated on him with his dad, necessitating a paternity test on his then unborn child, was heartbreaking.
The focus right now might be on the 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards, but as the year’s a little bit more than halfway over, we’re already looking ahead to the 2019 Daytime Emmys.
More specifically, there are a number of actors who should definitely not be forgotten when performers are filling out their ballots for next year’s nominations.
Click through the gallery above for a look at award contenders from The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, and The Young and the Restless!
