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The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys are coming -- but not for a while. Here's everything we know about the big night that will honor the best and brightest of daytime dramas! One change coming to the show could lead to someone in the "Cast" of The Young and the Restless getting an overdue bookend!
The Daytime Emmys timeline and changes
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys nominations will be announced in July 2026. Just like last year, the ceremony will take place later in the year on Friday, October 30, 2026.
There's a big change coming in one of the acting categories -- Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series, which Alley Mills won last year for her role as Heather Webber on General Hospital.
For this year, the guest actor category is now "mandated by a maximum of episodes aired/streamed for the first time during calendar year 2025. Performers appearing on more episodes than that are eligible only in the Leading, Supporting, or Emerging Talent categories." NATAS adds that "the former definition was 'a performance in a limited role with a definitive beginning and end to the story arc.'”
These redefined terms indicate that actors who have only done a handful of shows are eligible. Fan favorite and Daytime Emmy-winner Tricia Cast appeared in two episodes of Y&R last year when her character, Nina Webster, came to Genoa City for her bestie Cricket's (Lauralee Bell) wedding to Danny (Michael Damian).
Cast and Pettiford could land on the Daytime Emmys ballot this summer
Soap Central wrote up Cast's performance for those episodes as Nina gave an overdue blasting to Cane (Billy Flynn) for the death of her son, Chance (Conner Floyd). Valarie Pettiford, nominated in the category last year for her work as Amy on Y&R, also gave Cane a verbal bashing over the death of her son, Damian (Jermaine Rivers), and was included in our rave review.
While Pettiford has lots of excellent material to consider for a submission (Damian's death, Amy's remission, and her friendship with Audra, played by Zuleyka Silver, was tested), Cast has just two episodes; however, under the new rules, that may be enough to earn her a nod.
Last year, the Daytime Emmy winners were inclusive in that each of the major broadcast series walked away with at least one acting award. Paul Telford (Xander, Days of our Lives) won for Outstanding Lead Actor. Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, GH) won for Outstanding Lead Actress. Susan Walters (Diane, Y&R) took home the gold for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky, GH) won for Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Lisa Yamada (ex-Luna, The Bold and the Beautiful) won the inaugural category for Outstanding Emerging Talent.
Who would you like to see go home with the gold later this year at the 2026 Daytime Emmys? Sound off in the comments section below!
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Soap Central will bring you more details on this year's Daytime Emmys as they become available.
Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.
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