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‘Beyond the Gates’ Creator Michele Val Jean Shuts Down Fan Criticism on Story Direction: “Rest Assured We’re Going Somewhere”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS

In what has been an exciting time for the soap opera genre, earlier this year on February 24, CBS premiered the first new daytime drama in over 25 years with Beyond the Gates. The series became the the first Black-led hour-long network TV soap.

Beyond the Gates was created by Michele Val Jean (ex-General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful Et al.) who serves as the series head writer and executive producer. Recently, some fans and viewers have taken to social media implying that the new soap’s storylines lack a direction and the writers and producers haven’t thought through where their stories are heading.

Noting that nothing could be further from the truth, especially in the demanding world of daytime where Beyond the Gates is already taping two months ahead of air, Val Jean responded by taking to her account on X and expressed, “I love how some of y’all think we don’t plan this s—t out. Like we’re flying blind. You might not like where we’re going? But rest assured we’re going somewhere.” Val Jean then used the hashtags to punctuate her sentiments: “#BeyondTheGates #BTG #soapsingeneral #itscalledlongstoryforareason #taketheride #loveyallanyway”

Photo: CBS

Currently on Beyond the Gates, Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) just hit the sheets with the new woman in her life, Madison (Kenjah), Martin (Brandon Claybon) is becoming more unglued about the mysterious busboy working at Fairmont Crest, who is actually keeping tabs on him. Viewers know that the Martin has been struggling with nightmares of a fateful night that has yet to be fully revealed. Dani (Karla Mosley) and Andre (Sean Freeman) may go public with their fling-turned -more-serious, Ashley (Jen Jacob) turned down Derek’s (Ben Gavin) marriage proposal, and Joey (Jon Lindstrom), Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli) and Doug’s (Jason Graham) relationships are more intertwined than ever, and more.

Photo: CBS

In response to Val Jean’s post on X, fan comments ranged from, “I just hope it’s worth it. I’ve seen other soaps and shows feel like they’re going somewhere only for storylines to have no payoff. I just don’t want to be disappointed again. I’m not a wait and see kind of person. I’m an err on the side of caution kind of person. Sorry.” Another wrote, “Spoken like a true writing legend. Thank you so much for the joy you have brought us as lovers of daytime. I’ve been watching soaps since 1993. Starting with ABC then CBS and NBC.” Another comment shared, “This show is firing on all cylinders! People aren’t used to normal sounding conversations on soaps anymore.”

Photo: CBS

Beyond The Gates is developed and produced by CBS Studios and the NAACP in partnership with P&G Studios a division of Procter and Gamble and airs weekdays at 2pm ET/1PM PT and streams on Paramount+.

So, what do you think about Michele Val Jean standing up to fans that she and her team, do indeed, have a clear direction of where all their stories and characters are heading on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Jesus Christ people!! We’re just shy of being on the air 5 months & ya’ll are bellyaching? Michele know what she’s doing. This isn’t her first rodeo.

Sheesh, give them and the storylines time to blossom into beautiful roses!

And I bet it’s mostly our people,they always hate to see there own people make it,the show is new and so far it’s the best

Sad she had to make the statement… but the fact so-called “fans” are questioning her, her position, and the serial as if they know it all, they needed to be called out.

This soap doesn’t get a free pass. All the other soaps are not off-limits to criticism from fans.

Exactly.

The dam show is new wait before the hell criticizing

The writing is better than your grammar.

Folks cool down! BTG is still a very good show. Michele Val Jean is an established writer. Josh Griffith could take lessons from her. I think there are many surprises ahead.

Was really surprised to hear that there was some chatter about fans not being pleased with some
Of the storylines and their direction. I’m loving BTG! Big cast, multiple stories, lavish sets. Feels like a nice return to soaps in their prime. I get it that they cannot please everyone all the time, that is an impossibility, but they’ve only been on air for a few months and they are doing great, in my opinion. When you tune in, you cannot tell that it is a new soap. proof they know what they’re doing! Think of all the greatness they’ve delivered in a few months time. I’m here for the ride, and am trying to diligently avoid any potential spoilers so I can throughly enjoy it.

Can’t wait to see what’s next! These stories seem to have legs and could result in multiple
Payoffs, and layers upon layers of future drama.

I’m hooked!

Exactly me tooooo

I truly support defying faultfinders and enemies! Continue the powerful writing , Michele!

More than likely they were probably determined to hate it from the start. It’s only been five months and every new show needs time to grow.

A waste of my time,it’s dirty, it needs to be put in the dirty shows not afternoon delite.

Dirty shows? Ok……………. But, what do you call Adam and Chelsea doing the deed in their office, with the blinds not drawn? Drew and Nina doing the same multiple times at Crimson? And, let’s not forget Drew again, but this time getting busy with Nina’s daughter in a child’s playroom! Should Y&R and GH be placed in the dirty shows??

And Cassie and her wife

I think they are jealous,they are beautiful black men and women you people are not used to that they so full of you know what

Then don’t watch hey the hell off

It’s probably too black for them

Yessssss

Exactly

I can’t stand people let the dam story strive it’s new, it’s fresh and right now it’s the best I absolutely love it, except for Derick and Ashley

I love this soap opera. I love the pace, the story lines, and how each actor is portraying their character. I would love to have a shot at playing a character. If you ever need a preacher, let me know, I have a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.. Our culture would love the worship scenes. Just a suggestion that would add another level to “ Beyond the Gates”.

Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Nicole Plays the Field: Who Is Her Ultimate Love Match?

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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.

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Beyond the Gates

CBS Daytime Preemption Schedule for UEFA Champions League Games: What This Means for ‘Beyond the Gates,’ B&B and Y&R

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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.

 

 

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Ashley Jones Joins the Cast of Beyond the Gates

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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.

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CBS unveils Beyond the Gates season 2 promo and Jordi Vilasuso joins the cast. Leave A Comment

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