LOS ANGELES, October 31, 2026 — “General Hospital” made history at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, winning Outstanding Daytime Drama Series for a record 19th time. Tamara Tunie claimed her first Emmy, Scott Clifton secured another acting honor, and “The Kelly Clarkson Show” emerged among the night’s biggest winners.
Held October 30 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, the ceremony recognized achievements across soap operas, talk shows, entertainment news, lifestyle programming and television production. CBS newcomer “Beyond the Gates” also made a strong impression, collecting four awards in its first year of eligibility.
The results highlighted both established television favorites and emerging performers. Fans following other major entertainment competitions can also explore the latest Dancing With the Stars elimination results.
General Hospital Extends Historic Emmy Record
“General Hospital” defeated “Beyond the Gates,” “Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and the Restless” to win Outstanding Daytime Drama Series.
The ABC soap, which premiered in 1963, has now won the category 19 times, including six consecutive victories. It also received awards for drama writing, casting and Jeff Kober’s guest performance as Cyrus Renault.
The result reinforced the long-running show’s dominance in daytime drama despite growing competition from newer productions.
Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Win Lead Acting Awards
Tamara Tunie won Outstanding Lead Actress for portraying Anita Williams Dupree in “Beyond the Gates,” earning her first Emmy. She defeated nominees including Michelle Stafford, Heather Tom, Stacy Haiduk and fellow cast member Karla Mosley.
Scott Clifton received Outstanding Lead Actor for playing Liam Spencer in “The Bold and the Beautiful,” adding to his previous Emmy victories.
Beth Maitland and Roger Howarth won supporting acting awards for “The Young and the Restless.” Ambyr Michelle earned Emerging Talent for “Beyond the Gates,” while Jeff Kober won Guest Performance for “General Hospital.”
Kelly Clarkson, Sherri Shepherd and Ina Garten Among Winners
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series following its final season, while Sherri Shepherd received Outstanding Talk Series Host for “Sherri.”
“Entertainment Tonight” won Entertainment News Series. Ina Garten collected two honors, including Culinary Host and Culinary Instructional Series for “Be My Guest with Ina Garten.”
Daytime Emmys 2026: Complete Winners List
Drama and acting
- Drama Series: General Hospital
- Lead Actress: Tamara Tunie — Beyond the Gates
- Lead Actor: Scott Clifton — The Bold and the Beautiful
- Supporting Actress: Beth Maitland — The Young and the Restless
- Supporting Actor: Roger Howarth — The Young and the Restless
- Emerging Talent: Ambyr Michelle — Beyond the Gates
- Guest Performance: Jeff Kober — General Hospital
- Drama Writing: General Hospital
- Drama Directing: Days of Our Lives
Talk, entertainment and lifestyle
- Talk Series: The Kelly Clarkson Show
- Talk Host: Sherri Shepherd
- Entertainment News: Entertainment Tonight
- Culinary Instructional: Be My Guest with Ina Garten
- Culinary Cultural: Lucky Chow
- Culinary Host: Ina Garten
- Legal/Courtroom: Justice for the People with Judge Milian
- Travel/Adventure: Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross
- Instructional: Home Town Takeover
- Lifestyle: A Different Breed
- Arts/Culture: Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter
- Daytime Special: Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism
- Short Form: Glam Through the Ages
- Daily Personality: Star Jones and Corey Jovan — Divorce Court
- Non-Daily Personality: Giada De Laurentiis
Writing, directing and technical awards
- Nonfiction Writing: Expedition Unknown / This Old House (tie)
- Non-Studio Directing: A Different Breed
- Studio Directing: The Kelly Clarkson Show
- Music Direction: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Technical Direction: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Cinematography: Long Way Home
- Non-Studio Editing: A Different Breed
- Studio Editing: Craft Roundtables
- Prerecorded Sound: Long Way Home
- Live Sound: The Kelly Clarkson Show
- Lighting: Beyond the Gates
- Art Direction: The Kelly Clarkson Show
- Costume Design: The Young and the Restless
- Hairstyling/Makeup: Beyond the Gates / The Kelly Clarkson Show (tie)
- Casting: General Hospital
- Graphic Design: The Drew Barrymore Show
- Regional Content: Requiem for Colour: A Journey Through Lament and Joy
Official award information is available from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Beyond the Gates Celebrates Four Wins
“Beyond the Gates” earned awards for Lead Actress, Emerging Talent, Lighting Direction and Hairstyling and Makeup, the latter shared with “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Its success marked a notable achievement for a drama that premiered in February 2025 and competed against established daytime franchises.
Genie Francis Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
“General Hospital” veteran Genie Francis received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing nearly five decades portraying Laura Spencer. Her husband, actor Jonathan Frakes, presented the honor.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle’s Netflix series “With Love, Meghan” lost Outstanding Lifestyle Program to “A Different Breed.”
The ceremony also produced two ties: Nonfiction Writing and Hairstyling and Makeup.
For another major television result, see the Celebrity Traitors 2026 finale winners.
The awards reflected a changing daytime television landscape, with historic soap operas maintaining their influence while newer shows gained recognition across acting and production categories.
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