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| Sarah Brown and Sean Kanan are two of the many soap opera stars who have won Indie Series Awards over the years. |
For generations, daytime drama has been the training ground for some of the most fearless performers in the business. And as the entertainment world shifted from soundstages to studios to streaming, many of those same icons found a new spotlight at the Indie Series Awards—a show built to recognize the kind of creative risk-taking soaps pioneered long before “digital series” was even a phrase.
Across fourteen ceremonies, the ISAs have honored more than just rising creators and ambitious independents. They’ve also celebrated a remarkable roster of soap opera legends whose work in the indie world proves great storytelling never goes out of style.
Here are just some of the daytime favorites who’ve won ISA gold:
⭐ Sean Kanan
From General Hospital to The Bold and the Beautiful, he’s always been a force. His ISA-winning work shows why he remains one of the most dynamic actors in serialized drama.
⭐ Carolyn Hennesy
Sharp, funny, and fearless—her award-winning indie performances remind us that her talent stretches far beyond Port Charles.
⭐ Patrika Darbo
A daytime staple and a powerhouse in any medium, Darbo brought home ISA recognition with the same charisma she brings to every role.
⭐ Martha Byrne
A three-time Emmy winner whose passion for the craft carries into her indie work. Her ISA win underlines what fans have known since As the World Turns: she’s the real deal.
⭐ Sarah Brown
A trailblazer from the moment she hit General Hospital Brown’s ISA-winning turn shows she’s just as compelling when she’s working outside the traditional studio system.
⭐ More Soap Favorites Who’ve Won ISAs
Over the years, the winners’ circle has also included beloved performers such as:
• Eric Martsolf
• Andrea Evans
• Richard Hatch
• Tristan Rogers
• Hillary B. Smith
• Kevin Spirtas
• Cynthia Watros
• Jordan Clarke
• Melissa Archer
• Lilly Melgar
• Michael O’Leary
• Crystal Chappell (Editor's Award, Fans Choice)
• Mary Beth Evans (ensemble)
• Nicolas Coster (ensemble)
• Van Hansis (ensemble)
• Christian LeBlanc (ensemble)
• Joan Van Ark
• Michele Lee
• Charlene Tilton
… and many more who’ve jumped into the indie world with the same heart and grit that made them daytime fan favorites.
Why This Matters
The ISAs exist for one big reason: to champion creative freedom. The indie space gives actors—especially those shaped by the discipline of soaps—the chance to break rules, stretch their craft, and tell stories their way. And year after year, soap veterans have proven they’re not just part of TV history… they’re still pushing it forward.
Their wins at the Indie Series Awards are a reminder that serialized storytelling isn’t just alive—it’s evolving.
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