This weekend’s birthday boy has been none other than Beyond the Gates patriarch, Clifton Davis (Vernon Dupree) who on October 4th turned 80-years young. Davis, who stars on daytime’s newest soap opera and the first Black-led one-hour soap is part of history in the making.
Over the past few days, videos have surfaced from the set in Atlanta, when the cast and crew surprised Davis last Friday with an impromptu birthday celebration. Clifton’s co-star Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie Thomas) captured the moment on her Instagram account, where she shared the legendary actor/singer/songwriter was moved to tears.
Michael Fairman TV’s Atlanta crew caught up with Davis recently at the CBS Atlanta Fest event, which featured the stars of the network’s soap opera line-up from Beyond the Gates, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Photo: CBS
Davis spoke on how Vernon isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty to protects the Dupree family at all costs. “I want to see him with his fingers in different pies with him involved with this, that and the other,” shared Clifton. “I want to see him strong. I want to see him compassionate. I want to see him emotional because it gives me a chance to perform all of those colors on the show. And so, as far as Vernon Dupree is concerned, I think he’s perfect. He’s a former senator. He loves his wife and family. He’ll do anything for them, and sometimes he’s done almost anything.”
The veteran star also shared his thoughts on how Beyond the Gates handled the recent racism storyline, where Vernon and his grandson, Martin (Brandon Claybon) were on the receiving end of a violent attack by two white men, only for the scene to turn deadly, when Martin killed one man and severely injured another to protect himself and his grandfather.
Photo: CBS
Clifton explained his viewpoint, “I think our writers are brilliant. I think we touched on a subject without, without getting too, too close to any headlines, but at the same time, touching on a subject that happened in many, many African American lives. You know, sometimes people come along and they have an ill will for you, and you have to try to protect yourself. And of course, it’s a fictional character and occurrence (in this case). I’ve never had an experience like that, but I thought it was entertaining, and I thought it was edifying.”
Working with Brandon Claybon as Martin in the storyline, Clifton shared, “Vernon loves his grandson, and he’ll do whatever he can to protect him up to a certain point. I think the writers and the producers protected Vernon from going beyond the line. So, I’m pleased with the way it turned out … onto the next story. You know, you got to keep watching. I can’t share with you anything that’s getting ready to happen, but if you keep watching, you never know what you’re going to see. You never know!”
Photo: CBS
As to the pace of working in daytime at now 80, Davis stated, “It’s had its challenges. I just put on my running shoes and I took off and I keep up pretty good with the ladies and the rest of the cast. I met the challenge and I’m continuing to meet it every day.”
Lest you think we didn’t ask Clifton his thoughts on how his song, “Never Can Say Goodbye” released by the Jackson 5 1971, remains one of the most popular songs ever-written, Davis explained, “It’s been a blessing. A lot of folk have recorded it. I’m proud to have written words and music, but what did I think when the Jacksons picked it? I was excited, like a crazy person. When I first heard it on the radio, I was in the car and I was screaming out loud. It was so exciting. It was so wonderful to have a song not only on the air, but a hit. Then, when Isaac Hayes came along and recorded it, we got a Grammy nomination. I was thrilled for both Jackson 5 and Isaac Hayes to record my music.”
Courtesy/Motown
Now that season 2 is happening, Clifton shared what it means to him and the cast, crew and creatives. “First of all, it has tremendous meaning because we were picked up fairly early in our first season, which means the numbers are good, the audiences are good. They like us. They care for us,” Davis said proudly. “They appreciate the work that we’re doing, and we appreciate it too. We are meeting every challenge that comes our way, and we’re doing the best we can to bring you the best stories possible with the best performances we can manage.”
Check out the video interview with Clifton Davis below, where he also teased that fans just got to be watching because Vernon may be singing a tune again on the show sometime soon!
Now let us know, are you loving Clifton as Vernon Dupree? What do you think about the remarks he shared about the writing and the performances on Beyond the Gates? Wish Clifton a Happy 80th birthday too! Drop your comments below.
Who would have thought that more uptight of the Beyond the Gates Dupree sisters, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix), would be the one cavorting around with a few different suitors at one time and living it up! Such as the case of the psychiatrist at Garland Memorial Medical Center.
In story, after her decades-long marriage went bust with Dr. Ted Richardson (thanks to the bombshell by Leslie that Ted and her had an affair the result of which was her having his daughter, Eva), Nicole divorced the renowned plastic surgeon and since that time has two men actively vying her attention, newcomer in town, Dr. Kial Robbins (Greg Vaughan) and Ted’s plastic surgeon partner, Dr. Carlton Fitzgerald (Michael Christopher Riley).
What’s refreshing for daytime is, this is a woman taking control of her personal life, and not making excuses that she is not being mutually-exclusive, She has even explained to both Kial and Carlton that after the stormy ending and the betrayal of her marriage to Ted (Keith D. Robinson), she’s not rushing into anything with any sort of short or long term commitment. So, everyone knows what they are getting themselves into.
For Nicole, let the fun begin and this week on all new episodes of Beyond the Gates come the Friday, May 8 episode while with Carlton, Nicole runs into Food Network Chef, Sunny Anderson who is also a regular contributor and official “Drew Crew” member on The Drew Barrymore Show. Meanwhile, Ted is thinking about another woman who Shanice thinks is Leslie, but doesn’t he just love Nicole and wants her back, try as he might to move on with anyone that isn’t her? Stay tuned.
This week, in the latest promo for Beyond the Gates, things are getting hot and heavy in the bedroom between Nicole and Carlton, while previous she had quite the time with Kial.
Check out the latest video teaser for episodes airing May 4-8 below.
So, who do you think will be the ultimate love match for Nicole? Will she wind up back with Ted, choose to be exclusive with Kial or Carlton, or will no one get Nicole, and she will just continue to be single and happy for the rest of her life? Let us know your picks via the comment section.
Your favorite soaps operas on CBS, have a scheduling shift over the next few days for the network’s fifth annual broadcast for the UEFA Champions League Soccer games in Europe.
This will effect the Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29; and next week’s Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6 line-up of Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless.
First, and the most affected is all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates which will not air today or tomorrow. As well, game show Let’s Make a Deal will also be preempted. The two shows will also be fully preempted on May 5 and May 6.
Photo: UEFA
However, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful will air as normal for East Coast viewers, but those on the West Coast in Mountain and Pacific Time Zones will have a full preemption. Only, the top-rated The Price is Right will air coast-to-coast with no interruptions because of its time slot of 11am ET/10am PT.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCHEDULE
The UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, semi-final matches begin airing today on April 28 when Paris Saint Germain PSG plays a home game in France and goes up against Bayern Munich, and on April 29, viewers can look for Atlético de Madrid plays at home vs. Arsenal FC.
Next week, on Tuesday, May 5, Arsenal FC plays at home in England vs. Atletico Madrid, while Bayern Munich faces Paris Saint-Germain, on Wednesday May 6, in Munich, Germany.
CBS will air a one-hour UEFA Champions League Today before each of the matches at 2pm ET as the matches begin each day of the tournament at 3pm ET.
BEYOND THE GATES PREVIEW
When Beyond the Gates returns this Thursday, April 3o it will be the pick-up of the Monday, April 27 cliffhanger which found the Dr. Lia Whitmore (Cecelia Specht) threatening Grayson (Jordi Vilasuso) and Ashley (Jen Jacob) and Dani (Karla Mosley) becoming even more suspicious of Hayley (Marquita Goings) and her plans for Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett).
Photo: CBS
In addition look for, Leslie (Tricia Mann-Grant) to be confronted by Anita (Tamara Tunie), while exes, Ted (Keith D. Robinson) and Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) share a close moment witnessed by Shanice.
For those wanting to catch all episodes of The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful if you are in the West Coast time zones and usually watch them during the day. you can catch the action via CBS.com, CBS app or Paramount+
As Beyond the Gates heats up with who’s behind and involved in the black market blood plasma snatching story, don’t forget to check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s recent interview with Cecelia Specht on all things Dr. Lia Whitmore below.
So, what do you think of the preemption schedule and how it may affect your viewing this week and next of Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Ashley Jones is the newest addition of CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates. The veteran soap actress has posted some teasey Instagran stories revealing the intel; especially her latest wearing a Beyond the Gates emblazoned robe while in her dressing room.
As to who Jones is playing that is still hush-hush. Ashley follows other former daytime notables to Fairmont Crest which have included Greg Vaughan (ex-DAYS, Y&R, GH) and Jordi Vilasuso (ex-Y&R, AMC, DAYS and GL).
A spokesperson for Beyond the Gates confirmed the news to Soap Opera Digest expressing, “We can confirm Ashley Jones will be appearing in Beyond the Gates.” It should be noted: Beyond the Gates does tape four months ahead of air.
Soap fans first met Ashley when she played Megan Dennison on The Young and the Restless (1997-2000). She then went on to The Bold and the Beautiful to play Bridget Forrester in her initial run from 2004-2010 and since then making recurring appearances throughout the next 15 years. In addition, Jones appeared on General Hospital in the role of Parker Forsyth from 2016-17.
Earlier this week, Beyond the Gates was renewed for two more consecutive seasons its 3 and 4th by CBS, giving the youngest soap on the air, a big confidence boost. The series debuted back on February 24, 2025 as the first hour-long Black-led soap opera, and which tapes in Atlanta, Georgia instead of Los Angeles, California.
Who do you think Ashley Jones will play on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts below.
