Although the organization retired its Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series category in 2023, after years of reducing age requirements for eligibility, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), the organization behind the Daytime Emmy Awards, announced on Tuesday that it will be introducing a new category that could see a wide variety of talented individuals vying for the statuette when it is handed out in October.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

In an interview with TV Insider, Rachel Schwartz, the woman overseeing the Daytime Emmys and the Children & Family Emmy Awards for NATAS, revealed the new category will be called Emerging Talent, and will award those individuals “who are on their first daytime contract, so there is not necessarily an age parameter with it.”

While she expects younger actors in particular to stand out among the nominees list when the time comes for its introduction, she notes that the category does have some limitations, particularly how often one can be nominated.

http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/media/2025/02/Rachel-Schwartz-NATAS-1024x576.jpg

Rachel Schwartz
Sonja Flemming/CBS

“There will be a limitation that you can enter the category for the first 2 years that you are on the program, and then at that point you’re no longer going to be considered ‘emerging,’ and you also, if you win the category, then you can no longer enter it as well,” said Schwartz.

Although she referenced an actor being on contract previously, Schwartz later clarified that one doesn’t necessarily have to be on contract with the show at any point to be eligible for the nomination, they just have to have a speaking role within the time frame outlined.

“You need to have a speaking role and you need to have at least one continuous story arc in order to be eligible for this new category,” Schwartz pointed out while adding that one must not have been on their respective show for more than two years to be eligible. Otherwise, they can submit themselves for entry in the lead or supporting categories.

As for an update on “The 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,” which will take place in October going forward after the organization moved its News & Documentary Emmy Awards to the June slot, Schwartz shared that currently there is no broadcast partner for the awards show with the CBS contract expiring last year. 

From 2020-2024, CBS aired the Daytime Emmys exclusively on its network, marking the 18th time overall it had carried the awards show, the most of any network. 

Note: The post The National Academy of Television & Sciences Announces New Daytime Emmy Awards Category: Emerging Talent appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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Yeah... they really should've just left it the way that it was.

Two separate categories, for actors 25 and under. Sounds fine, to me lol 

At this point, categories on the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards make more sense.

And would someone please tell me why Eden McCoy chose to attend the Emmys wearing Morgan Fairchild's old hairstyle and nightie?

Edited February 19Feb 19 by Khan

14 minutes ago, Khan said:

At this point, categories on the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards make more sense.

And would someone please tell me why Eden McCoy chose to attend the Emmys wearing Morgan Fairchild's old hairstyle and nightie?

I think it's meant to be the Sabrina Carpenter look. 

It does remind me of Morgan.

Edited February 19Feb 19 by DRW50

31 minutes ago, Khan said:

And would someone please tell me why Eden McCoy chose to attend the Emmys wearing Morgan Fairchild's old hairstyle and nightie?

For her Emmys gown from Dec. 2023, Eden said the Emmys ceremony was originally supposed to be earlier in 2023, and her mom picked out the gown, but then the strike delayed the ceremony. Her mom had died by the time the ceremony was held.

"My mom picked it out for me a million years ago when [the Emmys] was originally supposed to happen, so I figured I’d just wear it. I just wanted something really classic and timeless that felt like me, and I’m all about being simple. Simple 90s. So, we threw it on, and it still fits."
”https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2023/12/josslyn-jacks-temporarily-recast-courtney-fulk-eden-mccoy-general-hospital
 

Edited February 19Feb 19 by janea4old

2 hours ago, Errol said:

new category will be called Emerging Talent, and will award those individuals “who are on their first daytime contract

OK, so this is like the Daytime Emmy version of Rookie of the Year.

Edited February 19Feb 19 by kalbir

5 minutes ago, kalbir said:

OK, so this is like the Daytime Emmy version of Rookie of the Year.

I see it as the Best New Artist award like the Grammys. You can submit up to three times until you "breakout." This is like that, but limits you to two years from your speaking role. Also could be called "Breakout Star" or something.

I think they should have just called it Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer or something.

I can see it becoming an offshoot of the guest actor category... Guest Actor would become an award given to daytime vets in some random short-term role (cough Eva La Rue) and Emerging Talent to Dick Van Dyke types, as long as they weren't on a soap back in the 70s, lol.

4 hours ago, DRW50 said:

I think it's meant to be the Sabrina Carpenter look. 

It does remind me of Morgan.

Every time I see her in that get-up, I start singing "Love's Hiding Place."  (IYKYK).

3 hours ago, janea4old said:

I just wanted something really classic and timeless that felt like me, and I’m all about being simple. Simple 90s.

I love how she thought that look was '90's, lol.

OMG, so if Dick Van Dyke had been under contract and this category existed last year, he would have qualified as "emerging talent?" LOL, that would have been wild!

13 hours ago, Errol said:

the new category will be called Emerging Talent, and will award those individuals “who are on their first daytime contract, so there is not necessarily an age parameter with it.”

“There will be a limitation that you can enter the category for the first 2 years that you are on the program, and then at that point you’re no longer going to be considered ‘emerging,’ and you also, if you win the category, then you can no longer enter it as well,” said Schwartz.

Although she referenced an actor being on contract previously, Schwartz later clarified that one doesn’t necessarily have to be on contract with the show at any point to be eligible for the nomination, they just have to have a speaking role within the time frame outlined.

“You need to have a speaking role and you need to have at least one continuous story arc in order to be eligible for this new category,” Schwartz pointed out while adding that one must not have been on their respective show for more than two years to be eligible. Otherwise, they can submit themselves for entry in the lead or supporting categories.

Okay re-reading the paragraphs I quoted  -- it's not necessarily one's first contract .... Just within one's first two years on the show, even if only recurring?

Edited February 19Feb 19 by janea4old