Raise your hand if you’re excited about this year’s Daytime Emmys!? The 48th Annual awards show takes place Friday, June 25th (EST) on CBS.
Like many other industries, soap operas experienced their fair share of challenges in 2020. The 2021 Daytime Emmys offer an opportunity to celebrate the best-of-the-best in daytime during a year like no other in recent memory. It also allows time to reflect on the achievements of nominees and winners, alike.
Earlier this week, we provided our predictions and picks for the Outstanding Guest Performer, Younger Performer, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress. In this edition of We Weigh In, Fame 10 highlights the 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards by offering predictions and picks in the high-level categories of Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Lead Actor, and Outstanding Drama Series.
Want Y&R plotline predictions? Check out Young And The Restless Plotline Predictions For Summer 2021
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Nominees:
Melissa Claire Egan, as Chelsea Lawson, The Young and the Restless – CBS
Genie Francis as Laura Collins, General Hospital – ABC
Nancy Lee Grahn as Alexis Davis, General Hospital – ABC
Finola Hughes as Anna Devane/Alex Marick, General Hospital – ABC
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, as Steffy Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful – CBS
Fame10 Prediction/Pick: Finola Hughes as Anna Devane/Alex Marick, General Hospital – ABC
This was a tough one to call, as all five ladies had a stellar year in daytime. As well, all five characters evolved considerably in 2020, with storylines which transformed them all (in one way or another). Actress Finola Hughes always shines bright on GH. She’s had her hand in many storyline pots last year, but pulling double duty as not only Anna but her evil twin Alex, has slightly edged her ahead of the pack. Sure, at times it can feel as if most everyone in the land of soaps has a twin, and the entire concept seems overdone. Having said that, there was a nice twist on Anna’s arc for 2020, as Finola not only played Alex but played her impersonating Anna. Hughes captivated audiences with her portrayal of both twins, and the evolution Devane went through as she struggled to protect Peter, keep the romance alive with Finn, and fight the sparks between her and Valentin.
Want GH plotline predictions? Check out General Hospital Plotline Predictions For Summer 2021
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Nominees:
Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos, General Hospital – ABC
Steve Burton as Jason Morgan, General Hospital – ABC
Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful – CBS
Wally Kurth as Justin Kiriakis, Days of Our Lives – NBC
Dominic Zamprogna as Dante Falconeri, General Hospital – ABC
Fame10 Prediction/Pick: Dominic Zamprogna as Dante Falconeri, General Hospital – ABC
The men of Port Charles kept viewers glued to the television in 2020, and honorable mentions go to actors Steve Burton and Maurice Benard for consistently bringing their A-game. However, Dante’s official return to GH was undeniably one of the biggest moments for the soap last year. Actor Dominic Zamprogna, portraying a (slightly) brainwashed Dante, was incredible. Mix in his feelings of wanting Lulu back but pushing her away, plus losing her *literally* moments after they officially professed feelings for each other, and it’s clear Dante had viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. It’s for these reasons, and many more, that there’s a good chance actor Dominic Zamprogna walks away with Emmy gold on June 25th.
Want DOOL plotline predictions? Check out Days Of Our Lives Plotline Predictions For Summer 2021
Outstanding Drama Series
Nominees:
The Bold and the Beautiful – CBS
Days of Our Lives – NBC
General Hospital – ABC
The Young and the Restless – CBS
Fame10 Prediction/Pick: Days of Our Lives, NBC
Days of Our Lives can feel over-the-top at times (most times), with storylines that certainly have viewers questioning if anything that happens in Salem could be remotely plausible in “real life”. With that said, Days was the only soap that didn’t skip a beat – or offer a rerun – during the pandemic when COVID-19 restrictions shut filming down for all three of the other shows. That’s because they filmed episodes six months ahead. Who knew all this preplanning would work to their advantage in 2020?
In many ways, the larger-than-life shenanigans that occurred in the little town offered refuge and comedic escape from the unbelievable turn of events that were occurring in our everyday lives last year. With so much bad news and doom-scrolling on social media, DOOL provided a much-needed distraction. The cast and crew are stellar, with incredible talents on all fronts, and the writing team offered plenty of unexpected events, plot twists, and drama. Sure, ideas like Stefano DiMera’s “essence” taking form in Steve Johnson’s body, or Kristen parading around as multiple characters in Salem without question, are unrealistic; however, sometimes “unrealistic” is entertaining and engaging, which is what DOOL more than accomplished last year.
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Dorathy Gass
Dorathy Gass is an avid fan of daytime drama and has been watching Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, and Young and the Restless for over two decades now. As a full-time freelance writer, she gets to combine her love of soap operas and writing through her Fame 10 articles. Also a mother of two busy girls and a mommy blogger, she's been published multiple times over in Huffington Post Parents and Scary Mommy.