Days of our Lives had quite a banner year with stories like who shot EJ and John dying. There’s no question that so many stars are worthy of a Daytime Emmy nomination when they come out next week. However, a few are at the top of the list and deserve a shout-out.
Key Takeaways
- Deidre Hall broke hearts as Marlena when John died.
- Stacy Haiduk never missed a beat as Kristen.
- Dan Feuerriegel makes EJ a villain fans love to hate with a vulnerable side.
Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans
50 years on DAYS and Deidre Hall (Marlena) continues to impress with her amazing performances. The soap vet proved that again during the heartbreaking scenes surrounding John’s (Drake Hogestyn) death.
It was life imitating art for the actress, who was mourning the loss of her beloved co-star and friend Hogestyn. Hall showed every single emotion Marlena felt from the moment she learned John had died. Even today, Hall portrays a grieving widow trying to move on with life with grace and reality.
The actress has been on fire this past year, no doubt about it. Hall deserves to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy, something that hasn’t happened since 1985. In fact, the fan favorite soap vet has never won the coveted award, and we think it’s about time.
Stacy Haiduk as Kristen DiMera
Let’s be honest, Stacy Haiduk (Kristen) kills every single scene she does on DAYS. However, when Kristen learned Rachel (then Alice Halsey) shot EJ (Dan Feuerriegel), Haiduk delivered a powerhouse performance.
Kristen taking the blame and going to prison for her daughter, while everyone, especially Brady (Eric Martsolf), piled on her, was gut-wrenching. Haiduk showed DAYS fans a side of Kristen that is rarely seen, her vulnerable side.
Despite moments of her fierce side coming out, Kristen was devastated and feared for her daughter. The storyline continues to have Haiduk delivering some of her best work, all in the name of being a protective mother. That’s why she deserves a Daytime Emmy nomination.
Dan Feuerriegel as EJ DiMera
There’s no question that EJ is an awful human being. EJ continues to do one despicable thing after another, even though it hurts his loved ones. Being shot seemed to change EJ for a hot second, but it wasn’t long before he was put to his old tricks again.
Feuerriegel has EJ’s bad side down. What the actor has also done for the character is highlight his vulnerable and softer side. DAYS fans know EJ can get angry, frustrated, and hate like no other.
Thanks to the talented actor, though, EJ also has moments of love, happiness, and real feelings. Feuerriegel manages to make EJ the villain fans love to hate. When it seems like there is nothing redeemable about EJ, Feuerriegel gives a glimpse of that side, reminding us that EJ is human after all.
Alice Halsey as Rachel Black
DAYS young star Alice Halsey (Rachel) was on fire this year. The actress was a recast, taking over for Finley Rose Slater, and instantly made Rachel her own. Halsey was dealt some serious material when it was revealed that Rachel shot EJ, and she hit it out of the park.
Rachel went from being a brat to being a troubled child who had buried a horrible secret. Halsey showed so many layers to Rachel, while also reminding fans that Rachel was, in fact, a young child dealing with adult problems.
From trying to poison Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) to realizing she shot EJ, to spending time in Bayview, Halsey brought her A-game, giving a Daytime Emmy-worthy performance any time she was on-screen.
Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi
When Boyd stepped into the role of Sophia, replacing Madelyn Kientz, it took a minute to adjust to the recast. However, Boyd won us over with her portrayal of a spiraling Sophia as her lies came back to haunt her.
The moment Sophia was confronted with lying about giving birth and the father of her baby, Boyd was phenomenal in playing Sophia’s breakdown. Boyd gave an unbelievable performance as Sophia, as she lost control and faked that she couldn’t speak.
Sophia did horrible things, much like EJ, but Boyd showed the softer, vulnerable side of the character, proving Sophia was a teen who felt alone and desperate. While Boyd certainly had great material this year, teaming up with Kristen before her death, what she did last year was off the charts.
Those are our top picks for DAYS Daytime Emmy nominations. What are yours?
