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‘Beyond the Gates’ Named as One of ‘The 10 Best TV Shows of 2025 ‘

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS

Here’s an absolute rarity and a welcome one for everyone who works so hard and with such tenacity in the world of daytime dramas. Soap operas newest entry into the genre has been named by Entertainment Weekly as one of the 10 Best TV Shows of 2025.

What is even more remarkable in this outstanding recognition for the freshman soap, is that it is right up there with many of the top primetime and streaming dramas as this year comes to a close in its final month.

Beyond the Gates is listed along with the likes of The Pitt, Severance, Task (which stars former Guiding Light and As the World Turns star, Tom Pelphrey), the comedy Abbott Elementary, Sci-fi’s, Alien Earth, Seth Rogen’s Emmy-winning series, The Studio, Disney+’s Andor, Netflix’s Dept. Q, and Pluribus which also features Y&R’s Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) in a guest spot.

Photo: CBS

As soap fans know, Beyond the Gates bowed back on February 24, 2025 on CBS and also streams on Paramount+. It became the first ever Black-led one-hour daytime drama in television history. The show began production back on November 4, 2024 and was the brainchild of Michele Val Jean, who not only is the series creator, but its head writer and one of its executive producers alongside Sheila Ducksworth for CBS Studios/NAACP Venture in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble.

Here’s what EW had to say about why they chose Beyond the Gates as one of the best television shows of 2025: “Soap operas do the impossible. Working with a fraction of the budget primetime series get, soaps crank out 260 episodes of non-stop story a year. For those of us who grew up loving these shows, watching the networks slowly abandon the genre over the past decade has been painful. What a joy, then, to witness the birth of Beyond the Gates. The first new daytime drama since 1999. Created by soap legend Michelle Val Jean, Gates centers on the saga of the well-to-do Dupree family, pillars of society in an elite (and drama-filled) Black enclave near Washington, D.C.”

Further explaining why BTG is must-see TV it revered its soapy twists! “It’s impossible to summarize everything that’s happened in the 80 episodes (!) since Gates premiered in February, but the soapiest highlights include: a love child revealed in spectacular fashion, and a marriage ruined! A steamy (and top-secret) May-December romance between a former supermodel and a playboy photographer! A promising young politician haunted by a violent incident from his past! To quote the late, great, Gary Marshall from Soapdish, ‘This is a soap opera!”

So, what do you think? Happy to see Beyond the Gates recognized right up there with some of the most notable TV series of 2025? Glad to know, that, yes, even in 2025 in the long-running tried and true genre that is seldom recognized. that Beyond the Gates launched in such a significant and impactful way? Is it one of your favorite TV shows on your viewing schedule? Let us know via the comment section below.

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A rightful title; Beyond the Gates has been firing on all cylinders since its launch earlier this year. Michele Val Jean and Sheila Ducksworth did the damn thing, and gave us the best American soap on daytime right now.

I am so thrilled for BTG!! What an incredible honor for everyone associated with BTG. I haven’t missed a damn episode since it bowed back in February of 2025. It was nice to see a new drama that replaced that horrendous talk show, The Talk. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect The Talk to last past the first couple of seasons. They lasted way longer than they should have.

Congrats Beyond The Gates on your huge honor!

That’s right. I’m enjoying the show ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I have watched since the beginning, and watching Tamara Tunie and Karla Mosely shine has been UNBELIEVABLE. I have loved seeing the new daytime talent that has emerged from so many amazing YOUNGER performers. Eva is an absolute amazing actress, Kat and Chelsea are daytimes best pair of cousins since Carly and Molly from ATWT. Leslie/Dana is the best black villainess i have seen since Virginia on Sunset Beach, and even the supporting roles are fun to watch! I LOVE Shanice and hope they expand her role. I am also loving Jon Lindstrom as Joey! And I hate to say but Bill and Dani are the Victor & Nikki of this soap. THEY WILL GET BACK TOGETHER! BRAVO, AND WELL DESERVED, BTG!

I love beyond the gates,I have not missed an episode,this show is excellent with its unique story lines,I am truly enjoying it and I look forward to watching it for years to come!

Yes its great BTG came in at the right time.

Well deserved and I love this show!

Love it!!! ❤️

I am overwhelmed with joy that Beyond the Gates received this honor. It is one of the best soap operas streaming right now!!!!

I am enjoying the show.

Oh. my goodness. Y’all haven’t been on but a minute and y’all kicking A! I love it to the moon and back. Congratulations,Michele &Sheila and the entire ensemble!♥️

BTG is must see TV! I am hooked:)

The show is awesome I’m glad to see the show succeed

I am addicted to BTG. I have not missed an episode. When I work from home and 1pm comes around I drop everything to watch this soap. When I work outside my home, I race home in the evenings to watch it. Bravo Michele Val Jean you have created a masterpiece.

Love the show, all the characters bring something unique. It is very soapy but still interesting and the fashions are great..

I don’t miss and episode , I love it , I work during the day thank God thank God for streaming

I have been watching BTG for the last 7 months and am totally hooked. I feel like I know the characters personally! The fashion is always a feast for the eyes.My husband I watch it together – it is my favorite hour of the day.

I turn the channel when it comes on. The acting is terrible.

Good show not everything is for everyone all I see is raw talent here I ❤❤❤❤ it way to go BTG

Some people always have something negative to say….is your life that miserable?

Hello!

Thank you for sharing, Debbie Downer. Your opinion really elevated the conversation!

I “LOVE BEYOND THE GATES” I DON’T MISS A SHOW. MY BESTIE STILL WORKS, SO SHE RECORDS IT EACH DAY. WE TALK ABOUT IT EACH NIGHT LIKE WE ARE PART OF THE STORY. ” VICTOR NEWMAN WATCH OUT” WE GET UPSET WHEN IT IS NOT ON OR A RERUN COMES ON!!! LOV IT, LOV IT LOV IT !!!!

I hate when it is bumped

Love the show and great to see the talent of the actors !

I love this show! I am glad to see it’s getting the recognition it deserves.

It’s a very entertaining show. Well written and superb acting. The stylist deserves a lot of credit also. Great fashions.

I have not watched a soap since coming home after high school & watching with my grandma!
That was a bit over 50 yrs ago, but this 70 yr old Afr-Am man is a true fan of BTG!
It is a well written, excellently produced, & skillfully acted drama.
KUDOS to all involved!

I had stopped watching soaps for years. I’m so glad recording is available so I can savor it

Love the show very much!! The cast and the writers are doing a fabulous job!
Majority African-American cast! I haven’t missed one episode since it aired!
Let’s keep it going!!

Love the show. Been watching since the beginning. Stopped watching soaps decades ago but really got hooked on this one. Gross product placement though. Kind of demeans quality of the rest. Did I just never notice it back in the 90’s?

Big is a great program! Wish you could push the needle more towards what you can do compared to night time…But over all Great show big

I agree with this! I have been watching since it started and it’s my favorite soap out of the 3 l watch!

Very happy to know BTG is a success. I love the show.

I like the show but not enough action like soap operas have they need to pick up the paste. With Action and adventure

So you become “glued” to your television?

Could not disagree more. Give me good old-fashioned soapy drama between interesting characters anytime–and BTG is doing that beautifully. Contrived “action and adventure” would ruin it. I think “action and adventure” has (long since) run its course on the soaps, and what was originally a fresh turn has become progressively more far-fetched and ridiculous. BTG has taken soap storytelling back to its roots in the best way possible. I don’t think Phillips, Bell, Nixon, Labine, Lemay, Marland et al. have stopped rolling in their graves yet, but I do think they’re rolling more slowly.

Did they watch it?

I love this show. I can’t watch it live because of my job, but I DVR it. And watch every weeknight.

I love it because it IS a soap opera. I love to see trained actors execute over-the-top drama!

I’m happy for beyond the gates

I love it I have to watch it on demand

Love this Soap!

This is an outstanding show! The acting, the sets, the wardrobe, the music, the writing, the ENTIRE product. This is a must watch! I have been telling ALL my newly retired friends (like me) and they also love it!

Love this show! Its well deserved. The acting is so good and the relationships so real. I just wish it came on earlier.

I love it. Never miss watching it on Paramount

I am so proud to see an excellent soap opera. I tape it everyday. The actors are so convincing in their parts. Truly enjoy
Beyond The Gate. Keep up the good work entertaining us.

I absolutely love this show and the actors. They are magnificent..the story line makes you want more each day.

I love BTG! I’ve been watching since its debut and I never miss an episode. If I’m unable to watch during its time slot I tape it to watch later in the day. I also watch Y&R and B&B but in my opinion BTG is the best soap on TV!

I love this show. I tape the episodes so I can binge watch. The story lines are fresh and on point — not predictable. Fashions are fabulous. It’s a winner!! I am not a soap fan, but I love BTGs!! So glad it has received the recognition that is deserved and earned. CONGRATS !!

I ❤️ Beyond the Gates. The show came out with its game on mode. I do not miss an episode it is my go to for life. When the go big we go harder!!!

Yes, it is the best. I must have an episode, as many times a day possible.

Oh my

I love this soap opera, it’s so entertaining!! I think the ratings for total viewing would be a lot higher if they included the recorded views!!! The acting is topnotch, can’t wait for award season next year!!

Beyond the Gates

Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?

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Kandi Burress, Tabitha Brown, Karla Mosley

As previously announced, Beyond the Gates is bringing chef, author and actress Tabitha Brown and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and actress Kandi Burruss to Fairmont Crest in a special episode of the CBS daytime drama airing Thursday, October 22.

In the episode, Dani’s (Karla Mosley) best friend Pamela Curtis (Cady McClain), arranges a “Welcome to Your Life” television special for her. As it turns out, Brown will play the show’s host, Tia Allen, while Burruss takes on the role of Dani’s first modeling agent, Kalista Kilroy, who turns the celebration of her life into a bad trip down memory lane.

Dani’s parents Anita and Vernon (Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis), sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), and daughters Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) all join the show to celebrate and support her but also witness how things so south. Also appearing in the episode are Molly Figueroa as Tatum Stewart and fan-favorite Anita Williams (Tunie) impersonator Jackie Tyree!

Beyond the Gates

PhotoL JPI

THE 411 ON TIA AND KALISTA

Speaking with TV Insider, about their soapy experience in Fairmont Crest, Tabitha Brown previewed about her host with the most, “Tia is very professional, but she’s a girl’s girl. She is a protector of women and wants to tell their stories in a beautiful way, but she also wants to make sure they’re seen in a very good light.”

However, Burruss previews that Kalista arrives with a score to settle. “She’s spicy,” shared the recording artist. “I always love playing somebody that has come to start trouble. It’s always fun to play a villain of sorts, but Kalista feels like she’s been done wrong and she’s hurt by what she feels has been done to her. So Kalista is stirring up trouble, but she feels justified putting Dani on blast. Kalista is ready for some payback.”

Beyond the Gates is produced by CBS Studios, as part of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. Created by head writer Michele Val Jean, executive producers include Val Jean, Sheila Ducksworth, Julie Carruthers, Tracey Thomson, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Anna Saalfeld and Lela Coffey.

Beyond the Gates is broadcast weekdays on CBS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/1:00-2:00 PM, PT) and is available to stream on Paramount+**.

So, looking forward to this special episode of Beyond the Gates when Dani is put on a blast during a blast from her past and Welcome to Your Life TV special? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ and Daytime Emmy Nominee Mike Manning to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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While Bradley “Smitty: Smith finds himself currently in a whole heap of trouble on Beyond the Gates, his portrayer Mike Manning is getting set for the upcoming 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards where he finds himself nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

A previous two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Manning will visit You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat on Wednesday, October 21 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

This year, Beyond the Gates broke records becoming a 15-time Daytime Emmy nominated seres, a first in Daytime Emmy history for a new show entering the competition for the first time. Manning will discuss being part of the groundbreaking soap.

Smitty

Photo: CBS

MIKE MANNING’S UPCOMING PROJECTS

While Manning has his series regular role on Beyond the Gates he is also involved in a myriad of other projects including: his role opposite Nicolas Cage in the film, Madden and the upcoming Anthony Hopkins starring motion picture, Eyes in the Tree, which Manning is featured and also produced.

LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY

Mike first gained nation attention back on MTV’s The Real World D.C., now almost 17 years ago, when he came out on the reality series, which served as an example of early LGBTQ+ representation, leading to thousands of letters from viewers who felt connected to, or felt represented by his journey. Through his advocacy, Manning has served as a youth ambassador for Boo2Bullying and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, anti-bullying, and environmental protection.

Daytime fans first met Manning as uber-bad guy Charlie Dale on Days of our Lives (2020-2o22) and later for his Emmy-winning role as Caleb McKinnon on The Bay.

This week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, viewers will see the pick-up after Smitty has been framed for the murder of Dr. Lia Whitmore, after being in possession of incriminating pills linked to her death, that were seemingly planted at his home. 

If you have a question for Mike, but cannot be with us in the live chat, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on the broadcast.

So, how do you think Smitty will get out of the charges against him? Rooting for Mike at the Daytime Emmys? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Marquita Goings to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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Marquita Goings

After her star turn in recent episodes of Beyond the Gates, soap opera’s latest vixen Hayley Lawson Hamilton played by Marquita Goings has grabbed viewers attention just waiting to see what stunt she’ll pull next!

Now, Marquita Goings will visit the Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat on Thursday, October 22 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT and you can join us with your questions!

Previously in story, Hayley has racked up some pretty despicable acts and crimes thus far which have included, trying to poison and kill Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) for his life insurance in order to cash in and hightail it out of Fairmont Crest with the moolah.

Photo: CBS

Then, let’s not forget using the recordings she obtained to blackmail everyone with the the secret that Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) have been trying to keep under wraps about the hate crime years ago, which saw Martin kill one man, while another later died, in an effort to save his grandfather.

NEXT WEEK ON BEYOND THE GATES

Now, the week of October 19-23 previews that it appears that Hayley may be pregnant (take a look at the video preview below) with Bill’s child when she gets a little queasy, after she went to see her partner in crime, Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) to get a fresh ID to skip out of town and away from the DMV.

In fact, on the Tuesday, October 20 episode, official BTG spoilers indicate, Vernon assures Dani (Karla Mosley) that he’s got things handled, while Hayley’s ready for her next act, while on the Friday, October 23 episode, Leslie (Trisha Mann-Grant) has devastating words for Hayley and Bill’s got another thing coming.

If you have a question for Marquita but cannot join us for the live broadcast, drop it in the comment section and we just might ask it during the chat.

Now let us know, do you think Hayley will be pregnant? How will she continue to evade any prison time? What has been your favorite scene of Marquita Goings on Beyond the Gates thus far? Comment below.

 

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