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‘Beyond the Gates’ Named to ‘Entertainment Weekly’s’ List of ‘The Best TV Shows of 2025 So Far’

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS

In a list that includes: Severance (Apple TV), Forever (Netflix), Matlock (CBS), The Gilded Age (HBO Max), Abbott Elementary (ABC), Dept Q. (Netflix) and The Pitt (HBO Max), daytime’s first new soap opera in over 25 years, CBS’ Beyond the Gates has made the list of Entertainment Weekly’s “Best TV Shows of 2025 So Far” – with June being the half-way point of the year.

Beyond the Gates is only about five-months old on-air having debuted back on February 24, 2025, as the first Black-led, hour-long, network daytime television soap opera. The series came in with a huge soap pedigree from its creator, head writer and executive producer, Michele Val Jean, having previously written for The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, Generations, and Santa Barbara.

In EW’s assessment as to why Beyond the Gates should be on your list of TV shows to binge-watch, here is what they had to say on how the soap opera captured their imaginations and passed the muster with their critique below:

Photo: CBS

“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.”

As to the storylines that have them tuning-in, EW shared, “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 in SoapDish: ‘This is soap opera!”’

Photo: CBS

Back in May, Beyond the Gates received its second season renewal from CBS, giving an affirmation to the show and the job well-done by its cast, writers and producers. The series continues its production at its studios in Atlanta, Georgia and is the only network daytime drama to film in the “Peach State.”

The cast includes: Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis, Daphnee Duplaix, Karla Mosley, Alex Alegria, Lauren Buglioli, Brandon Claybon, Timon Kyle Durrett, Sean Freeman, Ben Gavin, Marquita Goings, Jibre Hordges, Jen Jacob, Trisha Mann-Grant, Mike Manning, RhonniRose Mantilla, Ambyr Michelle, Colby Muhammad, Arielle Prepetit, Keith D. Robinson, Jon Lindstrom, Cady McClain and more.

Photo: CBS

What do you think of ‘Beyond the Gates’ becoming a favorite show in mainstream pop culture? Has it become one of your favorite shows of 2025 so far? Share your thoughts via the comment section, and in case you missed it, check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s brand new live interview with Trisha Mann-Grant and Ambry Michelle below.

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I love it so much and hope it had yhr staying power to become an institution!

But no one is watching

‘WE’ REALLY ARE!!!

It’s the best thing in daytime. I gave up 30 yrs ago watching soaps, but now BTG is my guilty pleasure! Love it!!!!
I now enjoy daytime tv!
It’s campy, cultured and great acting!

I watched a couple of episodes, but didn’t have time to invest in it daily. It was very well done from the sample size that I saw.

Love it

Absolutely love this show. I h been waiting for something like this ever since ABC canceled AMC and OLTL which were the first to include people of color on daytime tv. It’s about time history in the making.

I watch the show everyday and I love it it’s my new guilty pleasure

I love the new soap Beyond The Gates so much it has been my new guilty pleasure and I watch it every day

I am loving the show so much is awesome. The storylines are incredible. I’m especially loving the one with Martin, Vernon, Bill and the two dirty cops and Joey Armstrong. I can’t wait to see where that goes. It’s getting so good, and loving the continued rivalry between Kat and Eva those two remind me of Nina and Carly so much on General Hospital the continued rivalry it’s crazy and not only that but they are fighting over the same guy Tomas as well, and last but least the fake pregnancy that Haley is trying to pull girl bye.

No

My Husband and I watch together every day!! Our new guilty pleasure ❤️

Stop lying. The acting and writing is awful

The acting and writing has improved tremendously. It takes time for the cast to gel, but they’re doing an amazing job. Also, it’s seldom that you see people of color in this environment so it takes time. Give it a chance. They’re doing a great job. Keep up the great work guys.

I watched everyday for the first 2 weeks. I really wanted to like it; but, it just didn’t grab me. I wish them well.

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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