Soap operas, a serialised drama produced for radio, television and internet streaming, are specifically and uniquely known for their ensemble casts and long-running characters. Many of these characters have stayed in their respective series for decades, often played by the same actor. The following is a list of the longest-serving actors from soap operas all over the world. It details those actors with ten or more years spent on one year-round or stripped soap opera, despite itinerant breaks and in some cases with the actor portraying multiple roles. As of 2024, William Roache holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving actor in a television soap opera, having played Ken Barlow on Coronation Street since 1960. Patricia Greene holds a similar record as the longest-serving actor in a radio soap opera, having joined the cast of The Archers as character Jill Archer in 1957.

Longest-serving soap opera actors worldwide

Current

All-time

Longest serving soap opera actors by country

Legend

Australia

Belgium

Canada

Czech Republic

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

Scotland

South Africa

Spain

United Kingdom

United States

Wales