Daytime Emmys 2026: ‘General Hospital’ Reigns, Sherri Shepherd Wins After Cancellation and Genie Francis Honoured

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards delivered emotional reunions, comeback victories and an unusual twist: two of television's biggest talk-show prizes went to programmes that have already ended.

Held October 30 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, the ceremony crowned General Hospital Outstanding Daytime Drama Series for a sixth consecutive year. Scott Clifton and Tamara Tunie claimed the leading acting awards, while Genie Francis received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The event streamed through the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' online platforms.

Cancelled Shows Have the Last Word

One of the evening's most striking outcomes came in the talk categories. Sherri Shepherd won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host for Sherri, five months after its final episode aired. She prevailed over Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Tamron Hall and the hosts of The View.

Shepherd was absent because she is appearing as the Genie in Broadway's Aladdin. Presenter Greg Mathis accepted on her behalf. The Kelly Clarkson Show, which ended in August, nevertheless won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series-giving two departed programmes a triumphant awards-season farewell.

Tamara Tunie's Return Becomes a Major Victory

Tamara Tunie's lead actress win for playing Anita Williams Dupree in Beyond the Gates provided a defining moment for the CBS newcomer. Returning to daytime after her years on As the World Turns, Tunie acknowledged the Black actresses whose work helped make her achievement possible.

"This is the best welcome back to daytime ever," she said.

Scott Clifton won lead actor for portraying Liam Spencer on The Bold and the Beautiful, defeating a field that included Eric Braeden, Steve Burton, Thorsten Kaye and Christian Jules LeBlanc.

CBS reported four victories for Beyond the Gates in its first year of eligibility, including emerging talent for Ambyr Michelle. Across CBS and CBS Media Ventures, the company claimed 10 awards.

Beth Maitland Ends a 41-Year Wait

Beth Maitland supplied another memorable comeback, winning supporting actress for Traci Abbott on The Young and the Restless. Her previous Emmy victory came in 1985.

Visibly moved, Maitland thanked the daytime community that has embraced her for more than four decades. Her co-star Roger Howarth won supporting actor, giving the series both supporting performance awards.

Genie Francis Receives a Family Tribute-and a Surprise Message

Jonathan Frakes presented his wife, Genie Francis, with the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating the actress whose portrayal of Laura Spencer helped define General Hospital.

The tribute included a surprise message from Jonathan Jackson, who plays her onscreen son, Lucky. Frakes read Jackson's account of Francis protecting and encouraging him when he joined the show as a child.

"I'm thankful to God every day that I was placed in her care at such a young age," Jackson wrote.

Jackson also appeared in the congratulatory video montage, adding a personal reunion to the career celebration.

Other Notable Results

Tracee Ellis Ross won in travel and adventure for Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross. Meanwhile, With Love, Meghan lost the lifestyle programme award to A Different Breed.

Two categories produced shared honours: nonfiction writing went to Expedition Unknown and This Old House, while Beyond the Gates and The Kelly Clarkson Show tied for hairstyling and makeup. These were joint wins, rather than separate awards within those categories.

The Presenters

The announced presenter lineup brought together current soap stars, veterans of former daytime dramas and personalities from lifestyle and talk programming:

Eva zu Beck, Danielle Chang, Crystal Chappell, Delon de Metz, Sunny Hostin, Derek Hough, Pati Jinich, Star Jones, Michael Jr., Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, Katelyn MacMullen, A Martinez, Greg Mathis, Juliet Mills, Keke Palmer, James Preston, Paul Telfer, Tamara Tunie, Nischelle Turner, Susan Walters, Alicia Leigh Willis and Andrew Zimmern.

Jonathan Frakes presented Francis's lifetime honour. Matthew Hoffman served as the ceremony's announcer, while Mona Kosar Abdi hosted the red-carpet stream, with Terri Seymour providing additional coverage.

Complete Winners: Programme Categories

Programme winners are listed in the official NATAS report.

Complete Winners: Performers and Personalities

Performance and personality results were reported by TV Insider and CBS.

Complete Winners: Writing, Directing and Production

Writing, directing and production results are recorded in the official report and TV Insider's winners list.

Technical results include the regional-content category confirmed by NATAS.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Genie Francis.