49th Annual Daytime Emmy Winner: Outstanding Lead Actress

The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series has been awarded to Mishael Morgan, who plays Amanda Sinclair on The Young and the Restless. Other Lead Actresses nominated in the same category included Marci Miller (Abigail DiMera, DAYS), Cynthia Watros (Nina Reeves, GH), Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos, GH), and Arianne Zucker (Nicole Walker, DAYS).

Mishael Morgan made Daytime Emmy history on Emmy night, as the first African American to take home the statuette in a Lead category for Outstanding Lead Actress. It was her third nomination. Her first as a Lead Actress.

Her character, Amanda Sinclair, struggled to juggle between her job as an attorney, a love life that included a complicated sperm donor case, and her own messy family business. Through it all, she maintained her strength and resolve.

Soap Hub congratulates the actress on her historic win and taking home Daytime Emmy gold for Outstanding Lead Actress..

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 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.