Beyond the Gates viewers were in for a surprise on the Wednesday, July 22 episode when singer/actor/dancer, Nick Hagelin made his soap opera debut as Noah Rollins, the son of Dr. Kial Rollins played by soap vet Greg Vaughan.

In story, Noah comes to the DMV area and lands at none other than Orphey Jeans coffee shop. He is spotted by Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley) who becomes quite smitten with him. However, Noah is having trouble paying his bill to June (Daytime Emmy nominee Jasmine Burke).

One thing leads to another, and Deanna comes by his table and offers to pay for his bill. Noah gives her his number (his phone died and he has no plug) so she can Venmo him her account info to send her back the funds. Later, Deanna talks with June, who notices how Deanna and Noah had eyes for each other, and senses there was definitely an attraction there.

Courtesy/CBS

NOAH IS INTRODUCED

Next, Noah comes to Garland Memorial Hospital looking for his dad, and runs into Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), who knew exactly who he was and brings him to see Kial, who is surprised to see his son in town.

Noah needs money and Kial won’t pay it, unless he takes a job to pay for music career right here in the DC/Maryland area.  Kial tells his son, Atlanta and New York City aren’t that far away if he gets a gig. So, Noah agrees to apply for the job at the free clinic, which Kial will help push through and in return he will get him some cash. Noah is then going to crash at Kial’s place and Kial will go stay with Nicole.

Nick Hagelin is an Atlanta-based performer which is where Beyond the Gates is taped. Previously, Hagelin was in the Top 9 on NBCs The Voice, and has a band in Atlanta called The Fantasy Exchange. Nick also writes and produces for other artists and has had his original music featured on the series, FX Atlanta and Saturday Night Live.

As a ballet dancer, Nick trained at the prestigious School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center in New York City and he has performed with the American Ballet, plus Carolina Ballet, The Kirov, Atlanta Opera, and the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre. Hagelin’s acting credits include the Indie film, Exit Interviews starring OLTL favorite Tuc Watkins (ex-David Vickers), Max’s Sweet Magnolias, The Hunting Wives and many more.

GREG VAUGHAN GONE FROM BEYOND THE GATES?

The addition of Kial’s son to the canvas left many fans wondering if Greg Vaughan has already left the show or was his recent Instagram message about something else entirely. Beyond the Gates tapes over four months ahead of episodes airing on CBS.

Vaughan’s post shared, “My heart is full. My purpose is just getting started. I’m grateful for my life, my family, the people who consistently show up, and the lessons that shaped me. Every challenge has become preparation. Every blessing has become perspective… I’m simply grateful for how far God has brought me, and excited for everything that’s still ahead.”

Greg concluded: “Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey. Family. Friends. Fans. Colleagues. Your encouragement has meant more than you know. Here’s to the next chapter.”

Friends and colleagues jumped into Vaughan’s comment thread including: Robert Christopher Riley who plays Carlton on Beyond the Gates who shared, “Love and miss ya buddy,” fueling speculation that Vaughan is no longer on the CBS soap.

So, what did you think of the on-screen debut of Nick Hagelin as Noah Rollins? Intrigued to see more? Do you think from Greg Vaughan’s message that he is no longer on Beyond the Gates? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

On Wednesday, a new microdrama company enters the space of the burgeoning world of verticals with the the release of vertTV, a mobile-first streaming app and production studio featuring an original development slate starring several actors with a soap opera past or present.

Vivica A. Fox (Stephanie Simmons, Y&R), John Brotherton (ex-Jared Banks, OLTL), Josh Henderson (ex-John Ross Ewing III, TNT’s Dallas), Barbara Crampton (ex-Leanna Love, Y&R), Jason-Shane Scott (ex-Will Rappaport, OLTL), Krista Allen (ex-Taylor Hayes, B&B), Brittany Underwood (ex-Langston Hughes, OLTL) and Jessica Morris (ex-Jennifer Rappaport, OLTL) and Russell Todd (ex-Jamie Frame, Another World) are all in new or upcoming microdramas for the company.

Hollywood vets Jeffrey Schenck, Barry Barnholtz, and Peter Sullivan launched vertTV (vertTV.com) as a premium filmmaker-led studio delivering high-stakes, cinematic genre television for mobile audiences. The app has been created for on-the-go viewing, and the subscription platform features snackable, fast-paced vertical episodes.

Photo: vertTV

vertTV Slate of Microdrama Premieres

In conjunction with the July 22 rollout, vertTV has unveiled an extensive development slate of original premieres and those in development including:

Finding Hope: Written and directed by multi-hyphenate Marla Sokoloff, this premium small-town drama reunites Fuller House stars Jodie Sweetin and John Brotherton, along with Richard Karn (Home Improvement). The series follows Emily Harper (Sweetin), a successful big-city doctor who returns home to save the family’s crumbling clinic after her father suffers a stroke, forcing her to navigate the local crisis alongside a skeptical hometown EMT (Brotherton) while choosing between her high-flying career and the community she left behind.

Wicked Wives: Executive produced by and starring Vivica A. Fox this glamorous, high-stakes ensemble murder-mystery centers on an NBA wife and ICU nurse who relocates to Atlanta’s most exclusive Black gated community and is quickly drawn into a world of secrets, infidelity, and murder led by a powerful circle of elite neighborhood wives.

Lone Star Hearts: Set in the cutthroat, wealthy world of Texas oil, this soapy romance and corporate thriller stars Josh Henderson as charismatic tycoon Cooper Vale and Hallmark Channel star Cindy Busby as his sharp-witted ex, Isabelle. The plot centers around the daughter of a businessman whose life was destroyed by Vale. When she infiltrates the powerful tycoon’s company to clear her father’s name, she unexpectedly falls for the man she came to destroy.

Bad Blood: Tailored for a Gen Z audience hungry for dark academia and supernatural suspense, this thriller centers around a scholarship student investigating the suspicious murder of her best friend at the prestigious Weddington University. Her search leads her to The Crimson Circle, a secret society hiding centuries-old vampire bloodlines, where she finds herself torn between a fellow student with secrets of his own and a magnetic insider whose connection to the society runs far deeper than she realizes. The series also features horror icons Barbara Crampton, and Russell Todd reuniting on the 40th Anniversary of their cult classic, Chopping Mall.

As Hollywood continues to embrace the 1-2 minute episode storytelling made for scrolling on your iPhone or Android devices, will you be jumping into the world of verticals especially now after seeing some of these names from the soaps and more, or is it a hard pass? Let us know via the comment section below.

Scott Bryce’s beloved wife Jodi Stevens Bryce announced on Instagram that a memorial service for her husband will take place this coming weekend and will be able to viewed via livestream for family members, friends and fans who loved the actor, personally and professionally.

As first reported by Michael Fairman TV, Scott passed away on Sunday evening, July 13 at the age of 68.  His son, Jackson Bryce took to Instagram to make an official announcement of his father’s passing sharing, “What began as stage three esophageal cancer eventually spread and became brain tumors that took his life away from him.”

As the World Turns fans know that Bryce was smash hit in the role of Craig Montgomery, a part he played for several runs  on the CBS soap opera from 1982–1991, 1993–1994, and 2007–2008. Along the way, Bryce earned two Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nominations in 1986 and 1987.

Previously, Scott had been diagnosed diagnosed with Stage 3 esophageal and stomach cancer back in October of 2024. He had credited early detection as a vital part of his journey during a conversation on The Locher Room in July of 2025. At that time, Scott had shared he had undergone medical treatment and had since reported being “on the mend.”

Jodi Stevens Bryce’s message for those who want to view Scott’s ‘Celebration of Life” shares, “To our dear family and friends, both near and far, thank you for surrounding our family with so much love, kindness, and prayer. If you’d like to join us in celebrating Scott’s beautiful life, his memorial service will be livestreamed on Saturday, July 25 10am ET.”  She signed the message, “With love, Jodi and Jackson.”

Photo: JPI

AS THE WORLD TURNS CAST SHARES REMEMBRANCES OF SCOTT BRYCE

Over the last few weeks heartfelt condolences on the loss of Scott have poured including from: Finn Carter (ex-Sierra, ATWT), Martha Byrne (ex-Lily, ATWT), Melanie Smith (ex-Emily, ATWT) and  many more.

In fact, Bryne made note to TV Insider following the loss of As the World Turns co-star, of just how memorable Bryce’s work with the late Elizabeth Hubbard’s work as Lucinda was, and their unforgettable pairing; “The energy between them, their dynamic, all the play, fun, and the intensity just jumped through the screen. Most actors wouldn’t go down to set just to watch other performers. They’d stay in their rooms. I would go and just watch them work.”

The livestream will be broadcast courtesy of the The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport, Connecticut.

We all loved Scott Bryce and his powerful performances as Craig on As the World Turns and his body of work in primetime television as well. Now, it’s time to say our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones. Comment below.

 

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