Beyond the Gates (TV series)

Beyond the Gates is an upcoming American television soap opera created by Michele Val Jean which will begin broadcast on CBS in February 2025, as part of their daytime programming block. Set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington D.C., the serial will center around the Duprees, a multi-generational African-American family in the gated community of Fairmont Estates. The series is the first daytime television soap opera to feature an African-American cast since Generations in 1989 and the first new daytime soap to debut on a major broadcast network since Passions in 1999. Production commenced in November 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Beyond the Gates
Promotional title card
GenreSoap opera
Created byMichele Val Jean
Written by
StarringStarring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Michele Val Jean
  • Sheila Ducksworth
  • Leon Russell
  • Derrick Johnson
  • Kimberly Doebereiner
  • Robert Guza Jr.
  • Julie Hanan Carruthers
  • Anna Saalfeld
Production locations
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS

Premise

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Beyond the Gates is set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington D.C., and in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States.

— As described in a press release, via Paramount Global.[1]

Set in the fictional gated Fairmont Estates, located in the affluent Maryland and Washington, D.C. area,[2] Beyond the Gates will tell "the story of a wealthy Black family in a posh, gated community."[3] At the center of the story will be the Dupree family — Vernon, Anita, Nicole and Dani — described as a "powerful and prestigious multi-generational family" and defined as "Black royalty". Those outside of the gated community will watch close, while navigating their own lives.[1][4]

Cast and characters

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  • Alex Alegria as Tom Navarro
  • Lauren Buglioli as Vanessa McBride
  • Brandon Claybon as Martin Richardson
  • Clifton Davis as Vernon Dupree
  • Daphnée Duplaix as Nicole Dupree Richardson
  • Timon Kyle Durrett as Bill Hamilton
  • Sean Freeman as Andre Richardson
  • Ben Gavin as Derek Baldwin
  • Marquita Goings as Hayley Lawson
  • Jibre Hordges as Jacob Hawthorne
  • Jen Jacob as Ashley Morgan
  • Maurice Johnson as Ted Richardson
  • Trisha Mann-Grant as Leslie Thomas
  • Mike Manning as Smitty Smith
  • RhonniRose Mantilla as Chelsea Hamilton
  • Ambyr Michelle as Eva Thomas
  • Karla Mosley as Dani Dupree
  • Colby Muhammad as Kat Richardson
  • Arielle Prepetit as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne
  • Tamara Tunie as Anita Dupree

Cast—listed in alphabetical order—as announced via various press releases.[1][4][5]

Production

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Development

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On February 23, 2024, it was reported Michele Val Jean was departing The Bold and the Beautiful after having written for the CBS soap opera for 12 years.[6] The following month, it announced she was developing a new daytime soap opera that would follow the lives of a wealthy Black family.[7] It will be produced by a joint venture of CBS Studios and the NAACP, along with Procter & Gamble Studios. Val Jean will serve as head writer and showrunner, and will also executive produce alongside Sheila Ducksworth, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson and Kimberly Doebereiner.[8][9] On March 15, 2024, it was reported that the series was under "Accelerated Development".[10] On April 15 of the same year, it was reported CBS ordered the serial, originally titled The Gates, to series for debut in January 2025.[11][12][13]

Beyond the Gates will be the first American daytime soap opera to feature an African-American cast since the 1989–1991 NBC soap Generations, which—aside from being Val Jean's first scriptwriting job—was the first serial to feature a Black family from its inception, and to focus primarily on a family of ethnic minorities.[11] It will also be the first new daytime soap opera to debut on an American broadcast television network since Passions premiered on NBC in July 1999 (it moved to The 101 Network for its final season in 2007), as well as the first daytime soap opera to be produced by Procter & Gamble since Guiding Light and As the World Turns ended their runs on CBS in 2009 and 2010, respectively.[14][15][a]

In July 2024, it was reported soap opera writing and production veterans Robert Guza Jr. and Julie Hanan Carruthers had joined the serial as executive producers, alongside Val Jean.[16] Skyy Sandifer, credited for her work as a script coordinator on Ambitions was announced as a writer's assistant for the serial the following month,[17] along with reports the writers' room had been "set" and would include "some familiar names to the genre."[18]

On November 15, 2024, the writing team was announced. Guza Jr. was named co-head writer, alongside Val Jean. Susan Dansby and Michael Montgomery were named as script editor and continuity producer, respectively. Jazmen Darnell Brown, Cheryl L. Davis, Danielle Paige and Judy Tate were named scriptwriters, while Sara A. Bibel, Ron Carlivati, Christopher Dunn, Gregori J. Martin and Teresa Zimmerman were named breakdown writers.[19]

Casting

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The names and descriptions of nine series regular roles to-be cast were revealed by TV Insider on August 15, 2024, with note all actors "must" reside in Atlanta.[20] The following month, the website reported the names and descriptions of six additional characters.[21]

On September 19, 2024, the first three castings were announced.[1][22] Tunie was cast as Anita Dupree, a "once famous singer who worked hard to succeed and raised two daughters with her now-retired senator husband."[23] Duplaix and Mosley were cast as Anita's daughters, Nicole Dupree Richardson and Dani Dupree, respectively.[24][22] Nicole is described as a "high-achieving and competitive philanthropist and psychiatrist, and exudes warmth, empathy and compassion", while Dani is described as a "former model turned momager who gave up her career for love."[25] On October 4, 2024, three additional character breakdowns were revealed: one series regular and two recurring.[26]

Ten additional castings were announced on October 25, 2024, with familiar connections to the formerly-mentioned castings: the Richardsons, the Hamiltons and the Thomases.[5][27] Johnson was as cast as Ted Richardson, Nicole's husband and a "brilliant plastic surgeon with an ultra-exclusive private practice". Claybon and Muhammad were cast as Nicole and Ted's children, Martin Richardson and Katherine "Kat" Richardson, respectively. Martin is gay and a congressman, who lives outside of the gated community with his husband and their two adopted children. He is noted for his "ambition to be the first openly gay Black President". Kat is described as "indulged," "spoiled," "entitled" and "dismissive". Rounding out the Richardson family is Freeman as Andre Richardson, described as the "sophisticated nephew of Ted Richardson," who "tragically lost his parents in a plane crash and inherited a double fortune," allowing him to pursue his career at a photographer.[28]

Durrett was cast as Dani's ex-husband, Bill Hamilton. Described as a "charismatic and calculated criminal defense attorney," Bill and Dani share two children: Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne and Chelsea Hamilton. Prepetit and Mantilla were cast as Naomi and Chelsea, respectively. Goings was cast as Bill's "intelligent" fiancée Hayley Lawson, who works as a paralegal at Bill's law firm. Mann-Grant and Michelle were cast as mother-daughter duo Dana "Leslie" Thomas and Eva Thomas, respectively.[5][29] Additional castings, rounding out the main cast were announced four days later.[4][30] Broadway stage legend Davis was cast as Dupree family patriarch, Vernon. A retired Senator, Vernon is described as "gentle, humble and generous". Hordges was cast in the role of Naomi's husband, Jacob Hawthorne. Manning was cast as Martin's husband, Bradley "Smitty" Smith; the names of their teenage children—not cast at the time of the announcement—were revealed as Tyrell and Samantha.[31][32] Jacob was cast in the role of Naomi's best friend Ashley Morgan, a nurse at Washington D.C.'s Garland Memorial Hospital. Gavin was cast as Derek Baldwin, a "devoted" firefighter, in a relationship with Ashley. Buglioli was cast as Nicole's best friend and Dani's neighbor, Vanessa McBride, a "high-end real estate agency owner". Alegria was cast as Tomas "Tom" Navarro, a "handsome and confident young attorney" who works at Bill's lawfirm, and has his eyes on Kat Richardson.[33][34]

On October 30, 2024, an open casting notice was put out for bartending and wait staff roles.[35] Other roles and breakdowns were revealed, via TV Insider.[20][21][26]

  • Luis, a personal trainer at the Fairmont Estates Country Club, who has his eye on one of the married women who lives in the gated community
  • Mike, high-powered law partner to Joseph,[b] who has been accused of "sexual impropriety in the workplace"

Filming and location

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In August 2024, it was revealed Beyond the Gates would film at Assembly Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.[36] The following month, it was reported production would begin November 4 of the same year.[23]

On October 30, 2024, cast and crew gathered on set for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and table read-through of the first episode.[37] Cast also contributed signed scripts and letters to their future selves, which were placed in a time capsule and encased on set, to be opened in the future.[38] Production on Beyond the Gates began on November 1.[39]

Broadcasting

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On November 12, 2024, it was announced Beyond the Gates would premiere on February 24, 2025, at 2pm ET (UTC−05:00) on CBS and will stream on Paramount+.[40][41][42]

Notes

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  1. ^ Guiding Light and As the World Turns were produced and distributed by Procter & Gamble Productions until 2008, when the company shifted management of both soaps to spinoff unit TeleNext Media.
  2. ^ "Joseph" in character breakdowns is Bill Hamilton.[20][5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "First Cast Members and New Title Announced for the New CBS Daytime Drama Beyond the Gates" (Press release). United States: Paramount Global. Paramount Media Networks. September 19, 2024. Archived from the original on October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  2. ^ Lewis, Errol (September 19, 2024). "Michele Val Jean's CBS Daytime Drama The Gates Retitled Beyond the Gates, Sets Early 2025 Launch". Soap Opera Network. United States. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  3. ^ Lewis, Errol (July 31, 2024). "REPORT: Bob Guza and Julie Carruthers Named Executive Producers of The Gates". Soap Opera Network. United States. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "CBS Unveils Final Cast Members for Beyond the Gates" (Press release). United States: Paramount Global. Paramount Media Networks. October 25, 2024. Archived from the original on October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "CBS Reveals Next Round of Cast Members for Beyond the Gates" (Press release). United States: Paramount Global. Paramount Media Networks. October 25, 2024. Archived from the original on October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Lewis, Errol (February 23, 2024). "Daytime Emmy Award-Winning Writer Michele Val Jean Exits 'The Bold and the Beautiful'". Soap Opera Network.
  7. ^ Otterson, Joe (March 6, 2024). "CBS, NAACP to Develop New Daytime Soap Opera 'The Gates' With 'Bold and the Beautiful' Writer".
  8. ^ Rice, Lynette (March 6, 2024). "CBS Studios NAACP Venture To Develop New Daytime Drama For CBS Called 'The Gates'".
  9. ^ "CBS Orders New Daytime Drama About Black Family Under Groundbreaking Content Partnership With NAACP". Essence. April 24, 2024.
  10. ^ Lewis, Errol (March 15, 2024). "'The Gates' Is Under "Accelerated Development" at CBS, Likely As A One-Hour Daytime Drama". Soap Opera Network.
  11. ^ a b Goldberg, Lesley (April 15, 2024). "CBS Greenlights the First Black Daytime Soap Opera in 35 Years". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ Otterson, Joe (April 15, 2024). "CBS Orders Daytime Soap Opera 'The Gates' Under NAACP Content Partnership".
  13. ^ Caruso, Nick (April 15, 2024). "New Daytime Soap The Gates Officially Ordered at CBS — When Will It Premiere?".
  14. ^ Boyle, Kelli (March 6, 2024). "CBS Making New Soap Opera About Wealthy Black Family". TV Insider.
  15. ^ Lewis, Errol (March 8, 2024). "'The Gates' Showrunner and Executive Producer Michele Val Jean Speaks Out". Soap Opera Network.
  16. ^ Fairman, Michael (July 31, 2024). "Bob Guza and Julie Hanan Carruthers Named Executive Producers of The Gates Joining Michele Val Jean". Michael Fairman TV. United States: The Michael Fairman Company. Archived from the original on August 1, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  17. ^ Lewis, Errol (August 1, 2024). "Ambitions Writer Skyy Sandifer Joins The Gates". Soap Opera Network. United States. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  18. ^ Lewis, Errol (August 31, 2024). "'The Gates' Sets Writers' Room". Soap Opera Network. United States. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  19. ^ Lewis, Errol (November 15, 2024). "Beyond the Gates Formally Announces Writing Team, Robert Guza Jr. Named Co-Head Writer Alongside Creator Michele Val Jean". Soap Opera Network. United States. Archived from the original on November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c Maloney, Michael (August 15, 2024). "Meet the Characters of CBS' New Daytime Soap The Gates". TV Insider. United States: Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Maloney, Michael (September 9, 2024). "The Gates Is Getting Ready to Start Taping — Scoop on More Characters". TV Insider. United States: Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Holmes, Martin (September 19, 2024). "SVU's Tamara Tunie to Lead New CBS Soap Beyond the Gates". TV Insider. United States: Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Lewis, Errol (September 19, 2024). "Tamara Tunie Returns to Daytime Playing Family Matriarch in CBS Drama Beyond the Gates". Soap Opera Network. United States. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  24. ^ Lewis, Errol (September 19, 2024). "Soap Alums Karla Mosley & Daphnee Duplaix Join Beyond the Gates". Soap Opera Network. United States. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  25. ^ Rice, Lynette (September 19, 2024). "Beyond The Gates: Tamara Tunie, Daphnee Duplaix & Karla Mosley Cast In New CBS Daytime Soap". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Maloney, Michael (October 4, 2024). "More New Beyond the Gates Characters! Scoop on Attorneys & a Trainer". TV Insider. United States: Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  27. ^ Rice, Lynette (October 25, 2024). "Beyond the Gates: CBS Rounds Out Cast for New Sudser Kicking Off in Early 2025". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  28. ^ Brounstein, Diane (October 25, 2024). "CBS Announces 10 New Cast Members for Beyond the Gates". Soap Opera Digest. United States: A360media. ISSN 0164-3584. Archived from the original on October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  29. ^ Seitz, Loree (October 25, 2024). "CBS Daytime Soap Beyond the Gates Adds 10 to Cast". TheWrap. United States. Archived from the original on October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  30. ^ Swift, Andy; Schwartz, Ryan (October 29, 2024). "Beyond the Gates: CBS' New Daytime Soap Reveals Full Cast — Meet All 20 Power Players". TVLine. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  31. ^ Brounstein, Diane (October 29, 2024). "Beyond The Gates Snags a Legend, Releases 'Final' Casting Announcement". Soap Opera Digest. United States: A360media. ISSN 0164-3584. Archived from the original on October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  32. ^ Eades, Chris (October 29, 2024). "The Final Seven Cast Members of Beyond the Gates!". Soaps In Depth. United States: A360media. ISSN 1092-518X. Archived from the original on October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  33. ^ Otterson, Joe (October 29, 2024). "Beyond the Gates: CBS Daytime Soap Opera Adds 7 Cast Members". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  34. ^ Rice, Lynette (October 29, 2024). "Beyond the Gates Casts Clifton Davis as Patriarch". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  35. ^ Hammock, Tess (October 30, 2024). "Casting Call for Oct. 30, 2024: Extra and acting roles in metro Atlanta". WAGA-TV. United States: Fox Television Stations. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  36. ^ Ho, Rodney. "The Gates, the first new soap opera in 25 years, will shoot in Atlanta". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. United States: Cox Enterprises. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  37. ^ Fairman, Michael (October 30, 2024). "Beyond the Gates Commemorates Start of Production with First Cast Table Read and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony". Michael Fairman TV. United States: The Michael Fairman Company. Archived from the original on October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  38. ^ Harding, Curtis; Simms, Richard (October 30, 2024). "It's Official: Go Beyond the Gates For the Very First Time! [Video]". Soaps.com. United States: SHE Media. Archived from the original on October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  39. ^ Lewis, Errol (October 30, 2024). "Beyond the Gates Cast, Crew & Producers Gather For First Table Read & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony". Soap Opera Network. United States. Archived from the original on October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  40. ^ "New Daytime Drama Series Beyond the Gates to Premiere Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 on CBS" (Press release). United States: Paramount Global. Paramount Media Networks. November 12, 2024. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  41. ^ Lewis, Errol (November 12, 2024). "CBS Sets Beyond the Gates Premiere Date & Time Slot, Drama Series to Stream on Paramount+". Soap Opera Network. United States. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  42. ^ Brounstein, Diane (November 12, 2024). "CBS's Beyond the Gates Gets Premiere Date". Soap Opera Digest. United States: A360media. ISSN 0164-3584. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
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