Jen Lilley, Ryan Paevey and Linda Dano Star in 'A Little Daytime Drama' Tonight on Hallmark Channel

Jen Lilley (Days of our Lives) and Ryan Paevey (General Hospital) star in A Little Daytime Drama, a new, original movie premiering tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel as part of the network's annual "Summer Nights" programming event. Also starring is Another World legend and Emmy winner Linda Dano.

In A Little Daytime Drama, Maggie (Lilley) is the head writer on a daytime soap drama whose declining ratings leave it in danger of being cancelled. Alice (Dano), the creator and producer of the show, wants to retire and hopes to pass the baton to Maggie. Wanting to boost ratings and save the show, Alice plans to bring back fan-favorite actor Darin (Paevey)…who also happens to be Maggie’s ex-boyfriend. When Darin exited the show to star in an ill-fated play, their relationship ended on a sour note, so Maggie wrote out his character. Now, she must convince Darin to return. Will they be able to set aside their old, hurt feelings and work together to save the show, and their careers, in the process?

Check out a sneak peek below.

Daytime Emmy Awards History: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Marcy Walker

Five talented ladies are nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category for the 43rd Daytime Emmy Awards-- Nominated are: Finola Hughes (Anna) General Hospital, Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) Days of our Lives, Maura West (Ava) General Hospital, Tracey Bregman (Lauren) The Young and the Restless, and Kassie DePaiva (Eve) Days of our Lives. Only one will end up winning the coveted trophy.  The Outstanding Lead Actress category is always an exciting one. And we have proof!

The clips below feature the winning actresses from previous years accepting their awards:

* Kim Zimmer as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light in 1985
* Marcy Walker as Eden Capwell Castillo on Santa Barbara in 1989
* Linda Dano as Felicia Gallant on Another World in 1993
* Hillary B.Smith as Nora Gannon on One Life to Live in 1994
* Erika Slezak as Victoria Lord Carpenter on One Life to Live in 1995
* Jess Walton as Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 1997
* Cynthia Watros as Annie Dutton on Guiding light in 1998
* Susan Lucci finally winning the Emmy as Erika Kane on All My Children in 1999
* Susan Flannery as Stephanie Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2000
* Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 2004
* Kim Zimmer as Reva Shayne Lewis on Guiding Light in 2006
* The late Jeanne Cooper as Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless in 2008
* Maura West as Carly Tenney on As the World Turns in 2010
* Heather Tom as Katie Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2013
* Eileen Davidson as Kristen DiMera on Days of our Lives in 2014
* Maura West as Ava Jerome on General Hospital in 2015

New Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen Series Adds Linda Dano To All-Star Cast

Nelson Aspen and Janet Iacobuzio celebrate Linda Dano joining their new series with co-star Anna Holbrook.

Here's news that will surely delight TV fans: much loved Emmy winning actor/author/designer/presenter Linda Dano is joining the all-star cast of Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen's new series. While mystery continues to shroud the specifics of the project, its creators assure us it will be worth the wait.

"We have the best talent in the business on board," Nelson says. "So we're making sure everything is perfect before we launch. Our cast and their fans deserve nothing less!"

Dano is best known for her long-running portrayal as Felicia Gallant on NBC daytime drama Another World. Her other soap roles include Rae Cummings on One Life to Live, General Hospital, All MY Children and Port Charles; Cynthia Haines on As the World Turns; Lena Kendall on Guiding Light; and Francine Williams on Desperate Housewives.

For a sneak peek of the new series, check out the teaser below:

NBC Soap Opera 'Another World' Ended 15 Years Ago Today

The final episode of NBC daytime drama Another World, set in the fictional town of Bay City, aired 15 years ago today (June 25, 1999).

Another World, created by Irna Phillips and William J. Bell, launched on May 4, 1964. At the time of its cancellation, the show was NBC's longest-running daytime drama (now surpassed by Days of our Lives).

Another World was the first soap opera to air in an hour format daily (1975) and later in a 90-minute format (1979-1980). The show reached its highest ratings and critical success in the 1970s with Paul Rauch serving as executive producer, and Harding Lemay as head writer.

Despite many producer and writer changes over the years, Another World maintained that something special--a blend of good stories, humor and class. The finale was not necessarily indicative of the show as a whole or even its final months or years, but the heart displayed by the characters was pure Another World.

As the final episode opened, Cass (Stephen Schnetzer) was abducted from his wedding to Lila by Carolyn, a gorilla he had often visited at the zoo. At first, Lila (Lisa Peluso) was enraged that everyone but she knew about her fiance's "relationship" with this primate, but soon she was concerned solely about Cass's safety.

Emmy Award-Winning Actress Linda Dano Vents About Kathy Griffin Hosting the Daytime Emmys

Actress Linda Dano, who won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Felicia Gallant on NBC soap opera Another World, recently spoke out on her Facebook page expressing her thoughts about Kathy Griffin hosting the Daytime Emmys on Sunday Night. Dano was not pleased with Griffin's less than classy commentary and the decision to hire her as host of the ceremony.

Check out what Dano had to say, in her own words, below about Kathy Griffin and this year's Daytime Emmy Awards.

I need to vent about Kathy Griffin and last night's Daytime Emmy Awards. Named the host by Malachy G. Wienges, Chairman of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences / why I don't know.

Clearly, the TV Academy wanted a buzz worthy host for their live stream-only show, and you can't get much better than filter-less Griffin. Oh, and she delivered. Her entire intro also had nothing to do with daytime TV

I don't know her and she doesn't know me...after last night, I don't care to know her!

She started the night by saying "Welcome to the shit show…this is your night…" Can't imagine anything less classy!

Her claim to fame is that she likes to offend people. Congratulations, mission accomplished.

The Daytime Community is a closely knit community of hard working, very professional, talented people who love entertaining their devoted fans.

I have had the honor to be recognized by The Academy and my fellow performers. I am offended to have someone like Ms. Griffin say things like "We’re making history! Oh god — shit! Guys, I’m sorry if my nipples fall out."

I was truly offended for my fellow members of the Daytime Community but when she repeated something about Susan Lucci that Sarah Michelle Geller told her in confidence (that probably never happened, Kathy Griffin crossed the line!

I won't repeat it here. Look it up if you want to see what she said.

When The Academy selects a host like Kathy Griffin, it's no wonder people have no respect for Daytime.

If you feel like I do, please let Mr. Wienges know. It's the only way The Academy will know that their experiment did not work.

Do you agree with the respected Dano? Do you think Griffin went too far? Share your thoughts in our Comments section below.

Serial Scoop Daytime Emmy Awards News, Features and Photos:
* WINNERS: 41st Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy Awards
* A Guide to the 2014 Daytime Emmy Awards: Everything You Need To Know Before Watching The Ceremony
* 2014 Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
* Daytime Emmy Nominee Cocktail Reception (Photos)
* 2014 Daytime Emmy Awards Select Social Media Ambassadors to Host Live Red Carpet Show
* 'Days of our Lives' Star Casey Moss to Unveil 'Sophisticated, Moder, Youthful' Style at Daytime Emmys
* 2014 Daytime Emmy Awards Predictions
* Daytime Emmy Awards History: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
* Daytime Emmy Awards: Will It Be a Classy Celebration or Another Opportunity To Tear Itself Down?
* 'The Talk' Celebrates 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Monday, June 23
* Kathy Griffin Named Host of Daytime Emmys
* Daytime Emmy Awards: 2 Hours, No Commercials, More Clips, 24 Categories Presented
* Daytime Emmy Awards Will Livestream on June 22 with Spike Jones, Jr and SJ2 Entertainment Producing
* Daytime Emmy Reels: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
* Daytime Emmy Reels: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
* Daytime Emmy Reels: Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series
* Daytime Emmy Reels: Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series
* Top 25 Actors That Never Won a Daytime Emmy Award
* Daytime Emmy Awards: Complete List of Nominations