The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Winner: Outstanding Drama Series

The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series goes to General Hospital. Other Drama Series nominated in the same category included Beyond Salem (Peacock), The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS), Days of Our Lives (NBC), and The Young and the Restless (CBS).

GH Wins the Daytime Emmy for Best Drama Series

What two episodes won GH the gold? Soap Hub chatted with Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer, backstage at the Pasadena Convention Center to get the scoop! “We submitted the episodes where Jordan Ashford [Briana Nicole Henry] discusses what it was like to confront Cameron Webber [William Lipton] when he was pointing the gun at the cops and then, we submitted the episode with Alexis Davis [Nancy Lee Grahn] where she delves into what happened in her past,” Valentini shares. “Those were strong episodes.”

The Daytime Emmy evening started out strong for GH. The show won Outstanding Supporting Actress (Kelly Thiebaud, who plays Britt Westbourne), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Jeff Kober, who plays Cyrus Renault), and Outstanding Directing Team. Did Valentini think that GH might sweep every daytime drama award that night? “No. I don’t believe in sweeps,” the exec muses. “I’m happy that every show came away with something. That’s always really nice.”

The year 2021 also found the residents of Port Charles battling enemies all around and from within. Peter August (Wes Ramsey) had everyone looking over their shoulder afraid of what he would do next. Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy) reappeared with his own agenda. The town lost a hometown scoundrel and a hero when Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) and Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) lost their lives overseas.

With all the action going on, it takes a team to keep the wheels on the track and keep the stories hitting their mark and entice fans to come back for more. General Hospital captured the audience this year, day in and day out, keeping them guessing just what would happen next. Soap Hub congratulates them on taking home Daytime Emmy gold for the Outstanding Drama Series.

Daytime Emmy History

In 1972, the first daytime-themed Emmy Awards were handed out during the primetime ceremony when The Doctors and General Hospital were nominated for Outstanding Achievement in a Daytime Drama — with The Doctors winning the first Best Show Daytime Emmy. Also at that same ceremony, Outstanding Achievement by an Individual in a Daytime Drama was awarded to Mary Fickett (Ruth) from All My Children.

Soap History

The Bold and the Beautiful made its debut in 1987 and introduced glitz and glamour to daytime soap operas. It has outlasted other soaps to become a mainstay for many households. Needless to say, three decades of storylines have kept viewers locked in and wanting more. BB airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for air times.

Days of our Lives made its debut in 1965 and is one of the longest-running daytime soap operas in American history. It has outlasted other soaps to become a mainstay for many households. Needless to say, five decades of storylines have kept viewers locked in and wanting more. DAYS airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for air times.

General Hospital made its debut in 1963 and is the second longest-running daytime soap opera in American history. The longest-running sudser is Guiding Light. While it’s not the longest-running sudser, General Hospital is the longest-running soap opera currently on air. GH airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for air times.

The Young and the Restless made its debut in 1973 and introduced more sexual undertones and younger characters to daytime soap operas. It has outlasted other soaps to become a mainstay for many households. Needless to say, four decades of storylines have kept viewers locked in and wanting more. YR airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for air times.