2025 Daytime Emmys Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Dominates With Seven Awards as Sir David Attenborough Makes Emmy History

The 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards, held on October 17 in Los Angeles, celebrated both the enduring power of soap operas and the evolving landscape of daytime entertainment. It was a night of nostalgia, emotion, and record-breaking milestones — headlined by General Hospital’s sweeping victory and Sir David Attenborough’s momentous achievement.

The long-running ABC soap General Hospital walked away with seven trophies, including the top honor of Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. Its stars Nancy Lee Grahn, Jonathan Jackson, and Alley Mills each captured acting awards, solidifying the show’s dominance across both lead and supporting categories. The wins marked one of General Hospital’s most successful nights in recent Emmy history, demonstrating the show's continued relevance after six decades on air.

Meanwhile, Sir David Attenborough’s award for Outstanding Daytime Personality (Non-Daily) for his documentary Secret Lives of Orangutans drew a standing ovation. At 99, Attenborough became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner ever, surpassing Dick Van Dyke, who set the previous record in 2024 at age 98. His gentle humor and lifelong dedication to environmental storytelling brought a moment of grace and admiration to the ceremony.

The British naturalist’s victory underscored the growing recognition of nature and documentary programming in daytime categories, which traditionally celebrated talk shows and soap operas. Attenborough’s acceptance speech, rich with humility, reflected on “a century of stories about the living world” and inspired a wave of tributes across social media.

Among other major winners, Drew Barrymore took home Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host for The Drew Barrymore Show, continuing her streak as one of daytime TV’s most beloved personalities. Live with Kelly and Mark earned Outstanding Daytime Talk Series, reflecting its consistent popularity and chemistry between its hosts.

In the drama categories, Jonathan Jackson and Nancy Lee Grahn each won for their emotionally charged performances on General Hospital, while Alley Mills was honored for Outstanding Guest Performance, bringing heartfelt moments and applause from the crowd. Rising star Lisa Yamada was also recognized as Outstanding Emerging Talent, a win that signals a promising future for the next generation of daytime actors.

The ceremony also paid tribute to longtime industry legends, including a touching in memoriam segment honoring The Young and the Restless star Eric Braeden, who passed away earlier this year. The montage drew tears from the audience, a poignant reminder of daytime television’s enduring family spirit.

Critics noted that this year’s show felt like a “crossroads moment” for the Emmys — where legacy meets reinvention. Streaming platforms, including Netflix and Paramount+, now contribute significantly to the daytime field, and shows such as Attenborough’s Secret Lives of Orangutans reflect how the definition of “daytime” content has expanded.

Still, soap operas like General Hospital remain the emotional core of the awards. Its producers credited the show’s success to “bold storytelling and passionate fans” who have kept the series alive for more than 60 years.

Looking forward, the 2025 ceremony hinted at the future of daytime entertainment — one that embraces new formats and international talent while honoring its traditional roots.

Whether it was the roar of applause for General Hospital’s seventh win or the quiet reverence as Attenborough took the stage, this year’s Daytime Emmys proved that the genre still knows how to captivate, inspire, and celebrate excellence.

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