Soap Opera News recently shared its take on the top five soap stars we believe deserve more airtime in 2026. After that reveal, it was only right to hand things over to the fans. We ran a poll asking viewers to vote for the stars they want to see more of on their soap screens this year.
The results are in, and the message is loud and clear. Fans want their favorites back on the front burner. While the soap world is always introducing new faces and rolling out shocking twists, there’s a strong desire to see familiar characters take center stage again.
Based on fan votes, we’ve narrowed it down to the top five. From the tech-savvy charm of Port Charles to the steady moral compass of Genoa City, here are the five actors fans most want to see more of in 2026.
Bradford Anderson
Leading by a landslide, Bradford Anderson remains the undisputed fan favorite. With Kirsten Storms finally back to work at General Hospital, we know Maxie will soon awake from her coma, and this means viewers are more invested than ever in Spinelli’s future. Even with the shocking return of Nathan West, fans are eager to see how things play out. Will Spinelli finally get his happily ever after, or is his world about to turn upside down?
Kathleen Gati
After a long absence, Dr. Liesl Obrecht is back, and fans couldn’t be happier. Her sharp wit, layered emotion, and scene-stealing presence are exactly what General Hospital needs right now. More importantly, it’s exactly what viewers have been asking for.
Wally Kurth
Ned Quartermaine has had a rough start to 2026. After surviving a near-fatal heart attack following his clash with Drew Cain, it’s clear viewers want to see Ned driving story this year. We haven’t had much ELQ drama lately, and as you know, that’s a big part of the show. Viewers want to see Ned back in the boardroom, reclaiming his power, and taking Drew down while he’s at it. Well, Drew is out right now, so…
Ernestine Johnson
Breaking into a top five dominated by General Hospital veterans is no small feat, but Ernestine Johnson has done exactly that. As Shanice, she’s quickly captured viewers’ attention, and fans are clearly invested in her (and so are we).
Ernestine gives it her all every single time she’s on screen. Whether she’s delivering a comedic line, diving into drama, or hitting an emotional beat, she nails it every time.
She has range, presence, and that hard-to-define spark. She’s the one who needs to be promoted to contract status ASAP.
Beth Maitland
Rounding out the top five is the heart of the Abbott family. After the devastating twin twist that left Traci heartbroken, fans have become fiercely protective of their favorite novelist.
Beth Maitland brings warmth, relatability, and soul to The Young and the Restless, and viewers are ready to see Traci finally get a love story or a storyline worthy of Beth’s talent.
It’s no surprise that General Hospital claimed three of the five spots. The Port Charles fanbase is loyal, passionate, and very vocal about who they want to see on screen. And judging by these results, they’re hoping 2026 puts their favorites right back on the front burner. Their eyes are glued to the screens to see if the producers will listen to the fans.
Photo Credit: CBS/ABC/Disney.
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