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‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Brandon Claybon Talks Inclusion, The Crossover, While the Fate of Martin Richardson Hangs in the Balance

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS

On Friday’s June 12 episode of Beyond the Gates, after it appeared Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) survived being trapped under a tree after a tornado ripped through Fairmont Crest, viewers were left with a frightening cliffhanger when Martin got up and tries to walk, but only took two steps before he collapsed right in front of his husband, Smitty (Mike Manning)!

Previously, Martin had directed Shonda to use all the money donated from his campaign fundraiser for tornado relief efforts. Nicole (Daphnée Duplaix), Ted (Keith D. Robinson) and Smitty advised Martin that he needed to go to the hospital to get check out for any internal injuries or brain trauma. However, when Martin found out his sister Kat (Colby Nixon) was missing he began to panic. Martin says he just wants to go home and get some rest, even as his husband told him he should get checked out. Now, viewers will need to wait till the Monday, June 15 episode to see the upshot.

Official Beyond the Gates spoilers for June 15 share, “In the wake of the tornado, Shanice, Ashley and Jacob rush into action when someone collapses. Meanwhile, emergency surgery is required to save a life. Nicole’s update worries Samantha and Tyrell.” But is the surgery for Eva (Ambyr Michelle) who was rushed to the hospital or Martin?

Courtesy/CBS

MEETING THEE VICTOR NEWMAN

With such a pivotal week of story, Michael Fairman TV caught up with Brandon Claybon earlier this week during a roundtable press junket at A Toast for Black Excellence event in Los Angeles, promoting the major crossover event on Beyond the Gates which featured six cast members from The Young and the Restless, who also got caught up in the twister, but not the mighty Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). He somehow escaped and made it back to Genoa City in one piece.

Claybon shared his excitement of initially meeting Eric Braeden, because in the Black community, they have a long-history of watching the soap, and love Victor! “I think I just had to pinch myself because I was shaking hands with Victor Newman (on-screen), that means so much too many people spiritually,” expressed Brandon. “For people in my community, Victor Newman is everything and to have the Y&R cast in Atlanta and at our studios.”

While viewers wait to find out the fate of Martin Richardson, Claybon recalled the shooting of the Tornado storyline. “These episodes were a lot of hard work. We’re talking about 12 to 15 hour days, and you have to think about all of the actors supporting each other, it’s tremendous. Everything that we went through that viewers we’ll see sooner or later was so well worth it!”

Courtesy/CBS

PRIDE MONTH REPRESENTATION

In a very important illustration of inclusion, it was key in the story to note that Genoa City titans, Victor Newman and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), were backing Martin Richardson’s political campaign. Martin is married to Smitty in an interracial romance, and the two men are raising two black teenagers, which is a first on daytime television for a nucleus of a family. This story point is not lost on Claybon.

“Martin needs money (it was a fundraiser), so it was amazing that both Victor Newman and Jack Abbott were financially helping him with his campaign. This is is Pride month, you know, and for the first interracial gay couple on daytime TV, people are coming up to me to all the time, saying, “I see myself in your character and relationship,” and that’s what it means, representation, and that’s what we’re here for. It’s something that I’ve prepared for and I do know the responsibility it holds. Martin loves Smitty dearly, and Martin loves his family, and family is everything now.”

Previously, Michael Fairman TV spoke with Beyond the Gates series creator, head writer and executive producer, Michele Val Jean, where she named the racism storyline involving Martin killing a white bigot to protect himself and his grandfather, Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis), one of her favorite storylines in the young soap’s history.”It’s absolutely remarkable. She didn’t tell me this. I didn’t know, but it means a lot coming from her,” expressed Brandon. “Michele’s been doing this a long time, and especially for her to have her own show, she thought it would never happen. The words, “a legacy.” I think about it all the time, especially because the show has the power to change attitudes.”

Photo: CBS

WILL BEYOND THE GATES SCORE BIG AT UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS?

Coming up next month, the nominations are expected to be announced for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. This would mark the first year that Beyond the Gates is eligible for the competition for its season 1. Will they triumph?

Claybon had this perspective, “I am looking forward to having a moment to celebrate with the cast, and with each other. That’s the most important thing. Recognition is fun, but at the same time, it’s not why we do this. I’m an actor, but my passion in life is to encourage, uplift, entertain and inspire. I don’t want to think about that when acting. Let (awards) come if they may, but if they don’t, I’ll still be OK.”

You can check out a moment from Friday’s Beyond the Gates below, where Martin is seemingly “OK” and Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway) finds out Victor got out of Fairmont Crest just in time!

Now let us know, what do you think will be the fate of Martin Richardson? Will he have sustained a life-altering brain injury or be OK? What did you think of the final episode of the crossover? Do you enjoy the portrayal of the same-sex relationship between Martin and Smitty and sees its importance, as we are in the middle of Pride Month? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

BEYOND THE GATES: Dani Figures Out Hayley’s Been Trying to Kill Bill as All the Pieces Come Together

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Dani Beyond the Gates

In a pivotal episode of Beyond the Gates, the Monday, September 21 edition had the proverbial lightbulb go on in Dani’s (Karla Mosley) head, and not a moment too soon.

One thing the CBS daytime drama has done exceptionally well since its inception is deliver when the stakes are high. Now the stage is set for Hayley’s (Marquita Goings) house of cards to come tumbling down around her, but will it?

Here’s what went down: in the pick-up from the Friday, September 18 cliffhanger, Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) shows up at his ex-wife Dani’s front door, telling her he thinks he is dying. At first, Dani thinks it’s just Bill manipulating her again, when she has fought so hard to keep her distance from him, especially after their sex in an elevator during the tornado. But no matter what each of them says or does, their pull towards each other remains stronger than ever.

Now, Bill explains to Dani he passed out again and he keeps having seizures, even after he left the hospital. He goes on to say how Hayley (Marquita Goings) has been making salads and smoothies for him, because he couldn’t stand the herbal tea she was serving him.

Dani and Bill

Courtesy/CBS

RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL

As they are talking, Dani notices Bill’s hands shaking with tremors and suddenly becomes very concerned, and shortly after that, Bill is having a seizure and unable to talk and passing out. Dani calls 9-1-1. Once at Garland Memorial Hospital, Dani comes through the elevator in tears as her sister, Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) is there, and she asks her sister not to lecture her about being by Bill’s side, not now.

When they get Bill stabilized and into a hospital room, Dani goes to see him. He tells her the last thing he recalled was them talking at “our” house. Dani says that they need to let Hayley know that he is in the hospital.  However, Bill doesn’t want Hayley to see him like this for fear this will look like a sign of weakness. He tells Dani he thinks if she saw him, it would push her further towards Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Next, Dani texts Nicole telling her that she does not want her or Ted (Keith D. Robinson) to tell anyone about Bill’s hospitalization including Hayley or Andre (Sean Freeman). When Bill admits to Dani that she is the only person he trusts and that she is his “rock,” Dani lets her guard down again and decides to sit with him in his room.

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

Later, when Madison (Kenjah) comes to check on Bill, Dani leaves the room and heads to the hallway. Suddenly, she stops in her tracks as she hears Bill’s words back in her head, where he talks about the diet Hayley has been serving him, how she continues to make sure he does his cardio every day, and that he even made her a beneficiary on his life insurance policy he recently took out as his condition worsened. Suddenly, it all clicks for Dani, and she says out loud, “Hayley, you conniving bitch! You did this!”

Andrea and Heather

Courtesy/CBS

ANDRE MAKES A VISIT

Meanwhile, the dissolution of Dani and Andre’s marriage may crumble sooner than you think! While Dani is off trying to figure out how Hayley is trying to kill bill, Heather Armstrong (Ashley Jones) continues to purr to get Andre back in her bed.

Heather is excited that Andre texted her wanting to see her again. When Andre shows up at her hotel room, he explains he wanted to talk to her about the kiss they shared and that he got caught up in the moment, but he is a happily married man to Dani.

Seeing how out of sorts Andre is about the whole thing, Heather realizes Andre is afraid of he, and what she might do. She promises that she wouldn’t destroy his “manufactured” marriage to Dani. In fact, she is very self-assured that Andre would come back to her all on his own because domestic life is truly not his thing and he lives for the thrill of it all.

When Andre tells her she shouldn’t hold her breath,  Heather snipes, “We’ll see who you end up holding!” With that, he makes his exit, but it’s clear he is rattled by Heather’s comments.

Check out the moment that Dani puts two and two together in the dramatic cliffhanger from Monday’s Beyond the Gates below.

Now let us know, are you rooting for Bill and Dani to get back together, once Dani is armed with proof that Hayley has been trying to kill her ex? Do you think the two of them will set a trap to bring Hayley down? How long will it be before Andre turns to Heather, or she blackmails him into her bed? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Bests ‘General Hospital’ in Key Demos and Gains More Viewers Week-Over-Week

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Beyond the Gates

The ratings are out for the week of August 31- September 4, 2026 and it was a solid one for daytime’s youngest daytime drama, Beyond the Gates, now taping its third season.

According to the latest Nielsen report via Soap Opera Network, Beyond the Gates saw a rise in total viewers, tied with third place General Hospital in Households, and overtook GH in the women’s 18-49 and 25-54 ratings share putting them firmly in the number three spot.

Let’s take a look at the drama that had viewers tuning-in to the action in and around Fairmont Crest: Andre (Sean Freeman) kissed Heather (Ashley Jones) before leaving for Seoul with Dani (Karla Mosley).

Hayley and Bill

Photo: CBS

Meanwhile, Heather figured out that her brother Joey (Jon Lindstrom) killed Doug. Hayley (Marquita Goings) poisoned Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) yet again and left him unconscious. Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and Smitty (Mike Manning) made progress in the Impaler investigation, and the Articulettes had to deal with Leslie’s (Trisha Mann-Grant) interference.

As for the numbers, Beyond the Gates came in with an average of 1,677.000 total viewers and gained +66,000 for the week, with total household share at 1.2 up +1, and the key demos: 18-49 rating share of 0.20 up +0.07 from the previous week and 25-54 rating share at 0.29 also up +0.07.

Drew and Ava

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital, the ABC soap opera was the only show to lose viewers for the week of all four broadcast network television daytime dramas. GH came in with an average total viewers tally at 1,911,000, but lost -24,000 and was now only up year-over-year +27,000.

In story for the ratings week: Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) buried Brennan (Chris McKenna) on the ground around the Quartermaine estate, and Drew framed Nina (Cynthia Watros) for the crime by planting Brennan’s wallet in her car.

Chase (Josh Swickard) aggressively pursued the investigation of Jordan’s (Tanisha Harper) car crash which led him to confronting Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton). Trina (Tabyana Ali) overheard information suggesting Brook Lynn might be tied to the incident and later got an earful.

Darcy and Dylan

Photo: CBS

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

CBS daytime’s The Bold and the Beautiful, which has been on a great run in the ratings of late, came in with total viewers at 2,778,000 adding +59,000, and up year-over-year at this time +312,000. B&B was firmly in the #2 position in households, plus 18-49 and 25-54 demos, behind its sister soap Y&R.

In story for the ratings week: Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) struggled to hide her affair with Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) from Finn (Tanner Novlan), and Carter did the same in trying to keep it under wraps from Daphne (Murielle Hilaire). In addition, Darcy (Kelly Sullivan) arrived in Los Angeles and stood up to Katie (Heather Tom) for her treatment of her daughter, Dylan (Sydney Bullock).

Phyllis and Matt

Photo: CBS

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

The top spot once again belonged to The Young and the Restless. In fact, Y&R gained the most viewers week-over-week adding +127,000 with its total viewer average at 3,189,000 tuning-in. In addition, it was also up year-over-year +327,000. Y&R also was #1 for the ratings week in households and in the 18-49 and 25-54 demos.

In story for the ratings week: Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) thought of a plan for Matt (Roger Howarth) to return to Genoa City. Billy (Jason Thompson) temporarily gave up his fight for Chancellor after Sally (Courtney Hope) had a pregnancy scare, which could have lasting implications as they head to the altar in October.

Meanwhile, Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Victoria  (Amelia Heinle) secretly arranged another hookup, Nate (Sean Dominic) prepared for surgery with Stephanie (Vivica A. Fox) by his side, and while in rehab, Nick (Joshua Morrow) helped Marie (Jade Harlow) after her frightening confrontation with her abusive husband, Logan (Tommy Walker).

So, what do you think of the latest ratings picture? Glad to see Beyond the Gates performing well? Which soap opera has you most glued to your screens? Which soap opera has you often wanting to tune-out? Let us know via the comment section below.

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BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Dani Does Some Sleuthing and Hits the Jackpot! Is it Curtains for Hayley?

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Dani

Next week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, the drama intensifies as Dani (Karla Mosley) seemingly figures out that truth, that Hayley (Marquita Goings) has been poisoning her ex-husband, Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durett), who on the Friday, September 18 episode, showed up Dani’s telling her he thinks he’s dying!

Now, official spoilers for the week of September 21-25, and the latest video preview for Beyond the Gates, tease that Dani is going to be there to try to save Bill’s life, but then she does some detective work and seems to come upon a safe with a hidden stash! Putting the pieces together, it looks like it’s Dani to the rescue. Will Hayley be caught once and for all?

Meanwhile, Andre (Sean Freeman) is confronted by Joey (Jon Lindstrom) with something on a phone. Andre tells Joey, “Whatever that is on your phone, make sure Dani stays out of it!” Is Heather (Ashley Jones) making more moves to try to nab Andre for herself?

Andre and Joey

Courtesy/CBS

Then, Ted (Keith D. Robinson) confronts Leslie (Trisha Mann-Grant) and says to her, “Don’t you want something real?” To which, Leslie replies, “Don’t you think I’m capable of being a good woman.” Is she?

Check out what’s ahead in and around Fairmont Crest next week below!

Monday, September 21
Dani comes to Bill’s aid, and then has a shocking realization. Nicole teams up with Madison to help Chelsea. Andre defends his marriage. Ted is let in on a big secret. Randy tells Izaiah he’s in his debt. Heather outmaneuvers Joey.

Tuesday, September 22
Dani goes on the prowl for proof. Bill takes Caroline into his confidence. Naomi has an unexpected proposal for Hayley. Jacob consults with Nicole on his case. Chelsea’s shaken by Madison’s secrets.

Wednesday, September 23
Hayley turns the tables. Dani doesn’t hold back. Chelsea confronts Bill. Vanessa unwittingly tells Andre distressing news about Heather. Jacob and Naomi worry it’s too late to save someone they love. Joey has a back alley meeting. Marcel finds the smoking gun.

Thursday, September 24
Jacob issues a bitter pill for Bill to swallow. Leslie’s the bearer of bad news for Anita and Vernon. Andre can’t believe what he hears. Hayley enlists Tomas’ help. Martin leans on Ted.

Friday, September 25
Leslie puts her money where her mouth is. Andre is rattled by an impatient Heather. Hayley issues an ominous warning. Kat is fed up with Tomas. Izaiah’s plans for Eva are interrupted. Naomi’s news shocks Chelsea. A pair of exes have a candid chat.

Watch the official Beyond the Gates teaser video below.

Now let us know, do you hope once and for all that Dani can stop Hayley and have her dead to rights in her attempts to kill Bill? Will Heather be there to pick up the pieces if Andre walks out on Dani or learns of her betrayal with Bill the night of the tornado? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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