The 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards took place on March 15, 2025, celebrating excellence in daytime television. General Hospital emerged as the standout program of the evening, securing an impressive seven awards, including Outstanding Daytime Drama Series.
During her acceptance speech for Best Drama Actress, Nancy Lee Grahn acknowledged her fellow nominees, stating, “Ladies, we’ll share it, we’ll pass it around. We’re all friends.” Grahn, who has a long history with the show, took the opportunity to address pressing social issues, particularly in light of the upcoming No Kings Day on March 16. She emphasized the importance of using her platform to advocate for democracy, declaring, “Our democracy is worth fighting for. The people in it are worth caring about, and whether you have a platform or not, now is the time to show up, stand up, speak up for human decency.”
Grahn’s political sentiments were echoed throughout the night, as she and her guests donned purses emblazoned with messages against the Trump administration, including phrases like “No Kings” and “Democracy dies in silence.”
Highlights from the Evening
The 2025 Daytime Emmys showcased a range of categories, recognizing talent across various formats. Notably, the winners included:
– Outstanding Daytime Talk Series: Live With Kelly and Mark
– Outstanding Entertainment News Series: Entertainment Tonight
– Outstanding Culinary Instructional Series: Delicious Miss Brown
– Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program: Hot Bench
– Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program: Expedition Unknown
Actor Paul Telfer received the award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series for his role in Days of Our Lives, while Susan Walters won for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series for her work in The Young and the Restless.
Other notable winners included Drew Barrymore, who was recognized as Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host for The Drew Barrymore Show, and the team behind Secret Lives of Orangutans, which won several awards including Outstanding Science and Nature Program.
A Full List of Winners
The event featured numerous categories, with awards distributed to a diverse array of shows and talents. Here are more winners from the evening:
– Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress – Nancy Lee Grahn for General Hospital
– Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor – Paul Telfer for Days of Our Lives
– Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress – Susan Walters for The Young and the Restless
– Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor – Jonathan Jackson for General Hospital
– Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series: Lisa Yamada for The Bold and the Beautiful
– Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Alley Mills for General Hospital
The evening also honored excellence in behind-the-scenes work, with awards for Outstanding Writing Team and Outstanding Directing Team going to General Hospital and others.
As the night concluded, the 2025 Daytime Emmys celebrated not just the achievements in television, but also the voices and values that matter deeply to many in the industry.
With this year’s ceremony, the Daytime Emmys continue to evolve, reflecting both the artistic merit of daytime programming and the cultural conversations that resonate with viewers today.
