Variety's celebrated series, 'Actors on Actors,' has once again achieved significant recognition, securing two nominations for the esteemed Daytime Emmy Awards. This achievement marks the fourth consecutive year the program has been acknowledged in the 'outstanding arts and popular culture program' category, underscoring its consistent quality and impact within the entertainment industry. The nominations specifically highlight its spring 2025 season, which focused on television awards, and its fall 2025 edition, dedicated to cinematic discussions, demonstrating the series' broad appeal and diverse scope. Since its inception, 'Actors on Actors' has become a pivotal platform for candid conversations between some of the industry's most influential figures, fostering a deeper understanding of their craft and projects.

Variety's 'Actors on Actors' Recognized with Dual Daytime Emmy Nominations

On July 14, 2026, Variety's critically acclaimed interview series, 'Actors on Actors,' received two nominations for the upcoming 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, scheduled for Friday, October 30. Both nominations fall under the category of Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program. One nomination acknowledges the series' spring 2025 run, tailored for the TV awards season and broadcast on PBS SoCal as 'Variety Studio: Actors on Actors.' The second nomination is for the fall 2025 film-centric installment, 'Variety & CNN Actors on Actors,' which debuted on CNN's streaming service. This achievement extends the series' impressive track record, marking its fifth and sixth Daytime Emmy nominations overall, including a previous win in 2019 for Outstanding Special Class Series. The program also boasts multiple other accolades, such as a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award, two Cine Golden Eagle Awards, and several Webby and Telly Awards.

The fall 2025 edition, Season 23, was a landmark collaboration between CNN and Variety. This season featured an array of notable pairings, including Jennifer Lawrence with Leonardo DiCaprio, Ariana Grande with Adam Sandler, Julia Roberts with Sean Penn, Jonathan Bailey with David Corenswet, Dwayne Johnson with Brendan Fraser, Gwyneth Paltrow with Jacob Elordi, Cynthia Erivo with Hugh Jackman, Sydney Sweeney with Ethan Hawke, Stellan Skarsgård with Alexander Skarsgård, Michael B. Jordan with Jesse Plemons, Kate Hudson with Jeremy Allen White, Oscar Isaac with Teyana Taylor, and Colin Farrell with Jessie Buckley. The executive production team for Season 23 included Ramin Setoodeh and Donna Pennestri from Variety, alongside Amy Entelis and Roxanna Sherwood from CNN Originals. Season 22 also presented captivating dialogues with pairings such as Colin Farrell with Danny DeVito, Arnold Schwarzenegger with Patrick Schwarzenegger, Dave Chappelle with Mo Amer, Seth Rogen with Jason Segel, Parker Posey with Lisa Kudrow, Cooper Koch with Sam Nivola, Sterling K. Brown with Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seyfried with Adam Brody, Javier Bardem with Diego Luna, Joe Locke with Charlie Cox, Kate Hudson with Kathryn Hahn, Keri Russell with Scott Speedman, Adam Scott with Kristen Bell, and Kathy Bates with Billy Bob Thornton. The executive producers for Season 22 were Setoodeh, Pennestri, Michelle Merker, and Andrew Russell, with Michelle Sobrino-Stearns overseeing production, and Maris Berzins, Georg Kallert, Diana Nguyen, and Rob Schroeder as producers.

The continuous recognition of 'Actors on Actors' highlights the enduring value of authentic dialogue and profound insights within the entertainment sphere. As a journalist, it's inspiring to witness a program consistently elevate the standard of industry reporting by fostering genuine connections and conversations between artists. This series not only entertains but also enriches our understanding of the creative process and the human element behind the performances we cherish. The dual Emmy nominations are a testament to the dedication of the creators and the profound impact these candid discussions have on both the participants and the audience, solidifying its place as an indispensable resource for anyone passionate about film and television.