Greetings Soap Fam! We hope everyone is having a wonderful and blessed holiday season. We at Soap Opera News have been busy highlighting all things soap from 2024. We are getting close to the big reveal, ranking the Final Four. But we have a few more highlights to share first.
Best Soap Couple of 2024
It’s been said, if you watch a soap only for your favorite couple you are in for one rocky, topsy, turvy ride. True. Still love and ships are the bedrock of good soap. There were many worthy contenders for best couple but only one ship gets the prize.
Xander Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) and Sarah Kiriakis (Linsey Godfrey) “Xarah”/Days of Our Lives
Break up to make up is all this fun, funny, quirky and never a dull moment duo does. Bad boy, Xander, and good girl (kinda), Sarah; baby dramas (who the baby daddy, baby switches), kidnapping, masks, mind-altering drugs, etc.—you name it, they have been through it, and 2024 was no different. Xander found out he was Victor’s son. The couple had the usual almost Salem wedding that was upended by Xander’s estranged mother, Fiona (Serena Scott Thomas), crashing the party. They did get hitched at a later date, but then Sarah was stuck by a car driven by an intoxicated Fiona, which left her paralyzed. When Sarah realized it was Fiona who mowed her over, Fiona was two seconds from pushing Sarah and her wheelchair down the Kiriakis stairs. Thankfully, Xander showed up. Sarah ultimately got her Christmas miracle and got out of that wheelchair.
Now that Xarah is married, with baby Victoria in tow, will things slow down for them? Highly unlikely with a war for Titian front and center. Plus, who wants slow? This pair is at their best while doing the most!
Honorary Mention
Finn Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) and Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood)/The Bold and the Beautiful
Fans of this couple are over the moon that Steffy has a partner who loves her and only her. But these two haven’t been without their challenges. When your bio mom is a psycho killer, you can expect more than a few bumps (like her shooting you and your wife) in the road, and theirs have been more like mountains. Still, Finn and Steffy have weathered the storms and kept their family together. The meddling monster-in-law, Shelia (Kimberlin Brown), in 2024 stayed doing what she does best, making trouble, and if that wasn’t enough, Hope (Annika Noelle) entered the chat and set her eyes on Finn. But Hope has eyes for Carter (that’s another story.) Now as Steffy fights to regain control of Forrester Creations, she will need her rock steady hubby more than ever!
Best Soap Moments of 2024
As of late, we have lost many (too many) soap opera icons. We have mourned and celebrated these treasured actors and the adored characters they brought to life and into our lives.
Doug Williams (Bill Hayes)/Days of Our Lives
Character returns (more recent and from back in the day), dialogue richly laden in the show’s history, vintage flashbacks and photos, powerful performances, Liz Chandler (Gloria Loring), singing “I’ll Be Loving You, Always,” and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Olson Williams), allowing fans to remember and grieve with her; Days created a celebration that will be remembered and cherished forever. Every heartfelt episode permeated love, light, honor, and gratitude. Well done.
Barbara Jean ‘B.J., Bobbie’ Jones (Jacklyn Zeman)/General Hospital
GH’s tribute tugged at each and every heartstring; the teary tribute included the show’s cast, character returns, montages, and the recollection of precious moments and memories. The sudser also penned a culminating caper for Bobbie, who had opened up her home to women who were victims of human trafficking. With the help of Carly (Laura Wright) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner), Cornelia, a victim, (Ellie Darcy-Alden), was saved. The spirit of BJ (Brighton Hertford) and the newly named “Bobbie’s” restaurant were special touches on top of the already special tribute. And if you somehow made it through without shedding a tear (highly unlikely), we know that “Anytime, Champ!” broke you.
Honorary Mention
Thope Engagement Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) and Hope Logan (Annika Noelle)/The Bold and the Beautiful
The pairing of Thope wreaked all sorts of havoc.The on-screen pairing evoked every emotion and then some. When Thomas popped the question, anybody and everybody had an opinion. Should they? Shouldn’t they? Will they? Won’t they? Why in the world would they? Hope kept the audience and Thomas guessing and waiting on pins and needles while the engagement ring dangled from her neck. In the end, she didn’t put the ring on her finger, much to Thomas and Thope fans’ disappointment and dismay. The storyline, though, served up some soapy moments for sure.
Best Recurring Star of 2024
Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda)/The Bold and the Beautiful
This is the second year in a row that Li and Matsuda have bestowed this crown, and for good reason. Li is that lady! She is beautiful, smart, and the ultimate mama bear, and will move soap heaven and earth for her son Finn. Even extreme measures are on the table when necessary. If you dare try to harm one pretty little hair on Finn’s (perfect) hair, our thoughts and prayers are with you. She went toe to toe (no pun intended) against psycho Shelia protecting her baby boy. Anybody can and will get it; ask her niece Luna. Li hasn’t been in L.A. long, but everyone knows she’s not to be played with.
Best Hunk of 2024
Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor)/The Bold and the Beautiful
Historically, we have been used to good guy Carter (except for Quinn), Carter the loyal lawyer, and Carter the always wedding officiant, but lately we have been introduced to a different, edgier, perhaps more lethal side of him? Carter is now in charge of Forrester Creations after he slid right past the Forrester’s and into the big chair. Corporate takeover looks good on you, Carter (for now)! Of course, we know it won’t be smooth sailing for him and/or Hope given their corporate coup and shake-up shenanigans. Regardless, we know Carter will be looking good no matter what!
Honorary Mention
Alexander “Alex” Neil Kiriakis II (Robert Scott Wilson)/Days of Our Lives
It has been a decade since Wilson arrived in Salem. Ever since, you would be hard pressed to find any list of most attractive men on soaps that didn’t include him, deservedly so. So, there is no need for us to be the first. Ben swirling neck ties, eating fortune cookies, Alex, in a soap within a soap, no matter how he appears on our screen, Mr. Wilson has it going on!
Favorite Return In New Role for 2024
Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins Bruening)/General Hospital
When the rumors started swirling that Lulu was set to wake up out of her long coma, speculation ran rampart on who would be tapped to play the legacy character. When it was announced All My Children alum Havins, known for her portrayal of Arabella “Babe” Carey, was NuLulu,social media buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Havins debuted in November to rousing and rave reviews. We can’t wait to see what Havins and Lulu has in store in 2025!
Honorary Mention
Seth Morgan (Brian Gaskill)/The Young and the Restless
Gaskill appeared in daytime on Guiding Light, As the World Turns, All My Children, Port Charles and The Bold and the Beautiful before he showed up in Genoa City as Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) AA sponsor. Unfortunately, he didn’t stick around too long as he was soon a victim of Jordan (Colleen Zenk), who pushed him in front of a moving car. It was great to see him and we hope to see him back again in daytime!
Favorite Wedding
John “Johnny” Roman DiMera (Carson Boatman) and Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens)/Days of Our Lives
First wedding elopement, triangle with two siblings, divorce, and the devil himself have all played a part of Janel’s journey. The couple’s fans were elated that they weathered their storms and tied the knot again on Valentine’s Day. The nuptials took place at Salem University Hospital in Paulina’s (Jackée Harry) hospital room. Chanel’s mom was fighting for her life at that time, and Abe (James Reynolds) performed the ceremony. Beautiful!
What were your favorites this year? (Photos: JPI/CBS/ABC)
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