Connect with us

Beyond the Gates

2

‘Beyond the Gates’ Cast: Karla Mosley, Marquita Goings and Arielle Prepetit Talk Dani Dupree, Bette Davis, Growing Pains and Launch of the New Soap

By Michael Fairman

Published

2 years ago

on

Photo: CBS

As the second week begins on the new CBS daytime drama, Beyond the Gates, viewers saw the reveal of what went down after Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) fired a gunshot during the nuptials of her ex-husband, Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett), and the woman she blames for stealing his heart, Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings).

While everyone survived, Dani’s latest stunt was captured unintentionally on a livestream on her daughter, Chelsea’s (RhonniRose Mantilla) phone, which now has the Dupree family about to hold a press conference to try to sort out the mess. The Monday, March 2nd episode continued to fuel the main story, which featured series stars, Karla Mosley, Marquita Goings and Arielle Prepetit (Naomi).

On Friday, February 28th, Karla, Marquita and Arielle participated in Beyond the Gates first-ever livestream conversation exclusively on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.  While many topics were discussed; as well as the three actresses fielding questions in the live chat from new fans of the show, below are just some of the notable and quotable quotes from the conversation below.

Photo: CBS

DANI DUPREE’S MENTAL STATE

After taking out a gun, and almost shooting Bill and Hayley, Dani is still mad as hell and isn’t going to take it anymore. Karla Mosley previewed, “I’ll say the violence does simmer down. So, she doesn’t go turn it to Rambo and enlist in the army or something, That part does simmer down, but she does not simmer down. Spoiler alert: she doesn’t take it well.”

Photo: CBS

EARLY GROWING PAINS IN PRODUCTION

With Beyond the Gates shooting in Atlanta as opposed to where the four other soaps are taped in Los Angeles, as the series was ramping up, there were still a few kinks to work out as with any new show. Karla Mosley shared, “I was sitting in front of Julie Hanan Caruthers, one of the producers, and she said that we didn’t have all our lighting equipment that first week. They were shipping it from Germany and it hadn’t arrived and CBS was like, full steam ahead. And we were like, “But, we have no lights.” We had cameramen who had never shot soaps before. So, we literally had a woman who came out of retirement for a month to month and a half, who was on set teaching them how to get their shots. It was amazing, but everyone was so down. Everyone was so patient and loving with each other and understanding. It did mean that we had to play some insane catch-up. A couple weeks ago I feel like we had material from 17 episodes or something in one week. It was bonkers. We almost all lost our minds. Now we seem to be settling into a more normal schedule of taping five to seven episodes per week.”

GETTING YOUR FEET WET IN THE WORLD OF DAYTIME DRAMA

This is Arielle Prepetit’s first foray into a network television soap opera, and she had high praise for her TV-mom, Karla Mosley: “I grew up watching soaps with my grandma. So, I’d seen Karla on-screen. I  know those eyes. I know that woman.  She’s set such an amazing example as someone who shows up to set and knows their stuff. I’m like, ‘that’s the model of being a soap actor’ because it’s kind of a new genre for a lot of us. Having someone like Karla who knows what she’s doing has been a blessing.”

Photo: CBS

HAYLEY’S STORY

While viewers learn very fast that Hayley is the nemesis of Dani Dupree, there is still a heart to the character. Marquita Goings shared, “I feel like Hayley’s story is so many women’s story out there. We may not know those stories, or they could be kept on the low, but I feel like it needs to be told. But as the nemesis, there’s always a bad guy in someone’s story, I’m just happy that we finally can let everyone know what we all have been working on. It’s just amazing”.

IS DANI DUPREE ‘BEYOND THE GATES’ ANSWER TO REVA SHAYNE, ERICA KANE or BETTE DAVIS?

During the first six episodes of Beyond the Gates, the character of Dani has literally delivered bitch-slaps, cleared a desktop with golf club in anger, threw a drink in her husband’s face, hit the sheets for a one-night stand with a hot photographer, and eventually tried a full takedown at the nuptials of Bill and Hayley. So, how does Karla Mosley view Dani? “She’s not just insane and she’s not just a villain. She’s a mom and she’s very much a part of the family. She makes mistakes and she makes them loudly. I think she’s been asked many times in her life to make compromises, to go along, to get along with her family whereas her sister, Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), probably just did it pretty easily and was fine. Dani was probably the one to show up hung over to the the church service at the National Cathedral.”

Photo: AP

Karla continued,“Michelle Val Jean (creator, head writer, executive producer and showrunner, Beyond the Gates) mentioned Bette Davis in passing. I will say there is a little Easter egg there. Dani orders a vodka martini very dry. She does that a couple times, which is a call out to Bette Davis. I’m taking that to heart because what I love about these women including Katherine Hepburn, and of course Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane, All My Children) and Kim Zimmer (ex-Reva Shayne, Guiding Light), is these women play characters don’t mind, making things uncomfortable and being unlikeable and who make weird choices that are so interesting and fun I think being allowed to do that is such a gift.”

HOW GUIDING LIGHTS’S CHRISTINA AND THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL’S MAYA AVANT PREPARED KARLA MOSLEY FOR BECOMING DANI DUPREE

When daytime fans met Karla Mosley in 2008-2009, she was playing pre-med student Christina Boudreau on Guiding Light. Later, she went on to The Bold and the Beautiful as Maya Avant from 2013-2019, who ultimately was revealed in story to be a trans woman. “I think I couldn’t have played Dani with the same freedom and depth 20 years ago. I think that each of these characters came at a time and sort of paved the way for me to play Dani,” shared Mosley. “Guiding Light’s Christina was sort of really sweet and an introduction to daytime for me, and also to be on such a long running show that we all loved and cherish. I got to meet Lawrence St. Victor (Carter, B&B) there, who is still a dear friend. Then, to move over to The Bold and the Beautiful to play Maya and have an iconic storyline that married my activism, my own identity, it helped me come to terms with many things that I was exploring and wondering about myself during that time. So Maya really grew me, Then, I had two kids and becoming a mother changed me, entirely, It helped me to know myself in a very different way and the depth of what I can do, how I relate to people in the world, and how I stand up to people. I think that strength has prepared me to play Dani.”

Photo: JPI

Mosley also shared that she had wished The Bold and the Beautiful would have recast the role of Maya with a trans actress, when she exited the show, sharing, “That’s my personal wish, but it doesn’t always happen that way. I think that it did open up the space for more trans actors to be able to be working.”

HOW THE LAUNCH OF BEYOND THE GATES IS IMPACTING SOAP FANS

Arielle Prepetit revealed that the excitement and response for Beyond the Gates has been overwhelming and positive, “People are saying, ‘I’m so excited to have my own stories to watch and start from the beginning.’ These shows are legendary, and a lot of people couldn’t have started them from the beginning. So, to have people say that, and even DM me, ‘I love that I get to watch this from the start, ‘ it’s really, really touching for me. So, I get emotional almost every day.”

Photo: CBS

Watch the full conversation with Karla, Marquita and Arielle below.

Now, let us know, how do you view the characters of Dani Dupree, Hayley Lawson and Naomi Hawthorne Hamilton? What have been your favorite moments on ‘Beyond the Gates’ thus far? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Related Topics:
2 Comments

2 Comments
oldest
newest

Excellent interview. All three actors are great. But I feel the breakout star is Marquita Goings. I love the character of Hayley. One of the best ever introduced on a soap opera. I feel there’s so much more drama to come.

Please interview the actors who play Martin and Smitty. I wish Martin would be nicer to Smitty and drop the attitude. But then they would be boring. Plenty of drama with them as well.

Reply

This was a very good interview. Thank you. (Every interview I see, everyone in this cast seems so genuinely likeable! It’s wonderful.) They really do need to get on getting Debbi Morgan in to be related to Hayley. That’d be so exciting.

Reply

Beyond the Gates

TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life

Published

12 hours ago

on

October 2, 2026

By

Beyond the Gates Cast

As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.

The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.

The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!

Beyond the Gates

Photo: CBS

BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS

Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.

“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”

EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE

The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.

That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”

So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes

Published

2 days ago

on

September 30, 2026

By

Beyond the Gates Cast

Beyond the Gates is set to air two upcoming episodes on Friday, October 2 and Monday, October 5 on CBS, which will feature the residents of Fairmont Crest gathering at the Dupree family home for a spirited tailgate ahead of Banneker’s Homecoming, decked out in the university’s signature crimson and gold.

The episodes celebrate African American heritage by showcasing the longstanding homecoming traditions of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU’s) through the show’s fictional Banneker University.

With five generations of the Dupree family having attended Banneker, Homecoming is more than a celebration – it’s a cherished family legacy. For the Duprees and the Fairmont Crest community, it offers an opportunity to honor their shared history, celebrate their HBCU pride, and come together for a special day filled with family, friendship, and tradition.

Banneker

Photo: CBS

BANNEKER U. FIGHT SONG

The excitement culminates with a spirited bus ride to the game, where the entire group proudly sings “Fight On,” Banneker University’s beloved fight song and we know the cast members of Beyond the Gates CAN SING! Ahead of the episodes, CBS released some promotional photos and more to engage viewers to tune-in to the 15-time Daytime Emmy nominated daytime drama.

The series 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. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

Beyond the Gates

Photo: CBS

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+**.

*(live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. *Paramount+ Premium subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.

So, are you glad to see Beyond the Gates continuing to shed light on Black excellence through its soap opera platform? Is the Dupree family, quickly, if not already, become one of your favorites families in all of daytime drama? Let us know via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ for the #3 Spot in Total Viewers

Published

5 days ago

on

September 27, 2026

By

Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The ratings are out for the week of September 7-11, 2026 and while all of the long-running daytime dramas were down in total viewers week-over-week, it was the newest soap opera on the block, Beyond the Gates, that showed gains and much promise. Let’s take a look.

According to Soap Opera Network, not only did Beyond the Gates add +12,000 tuning-in for the week, it is narrowing the gap between itself and current #3 soap, General Hospital in total viewers, and tied with the venerable ABC series for actual household ratings share.

Beyond the Gates averaged 1,689,000 for its audience for the week while General Hospital had 1,769,000, that’s just an 80,000 difference that separates the two shows. While Beyond the Gates had a year-over-year increase for the ratings week, GH showed the biggest loss of all the soaps year-over-year with -231,000 and the biggest loss in viewers week-over-week with -142,000.

Beyond the Gates

Photo: CBS

BEYOND THE GATES

In addition, Beyond the Gates once again bested GH in the key 18-49 women’s rating share and also for the week, the women’s 25-54 ratings share, now putting them firmly in the third place. It should be noted that both Beyond the Gates and General Hospital aired an encore presentation on Labor Day, September 7.

Here’s what had viewers tuning-in on Beyond the Gates: Hayley (Marquita Goings) faced mounting pressure as Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) grew suspicious of her lies and a major secret came to light. Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) went through a paranoid spiral noticed by Dani (Karla Mosley), while Heather Armstrong’s (Ashley Jones) behavior became increasingly unhinged, Deanna (Angela Fairley) reached a breaking point under mounting pressure and decided to return to school and Smitty (Mike Manning) was digging deeper into the death of Lia Whitmore.

Ned and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

On General Hospital, the week in story was highlighted by: Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) admitting she was the other driver in Jordan Ashford’s (Tanisha Harper) accident, leaving Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) furious and demanding answers and ultimately Chase (Josh Swickard) walking out on Brook Lynn!

In addition, viewers witnessed, Anna (Finola Hughes) nearly killing Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), but instead firing a shot at a hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) as Jason (Steve Burton) tried to talk Anna down. Meanwhile, Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Ava (Maura West) dealt with the fallout and complications surrounding the disappearance of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).

Steffy

Courtesy/CBS

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Over at B&B, the soap remained in second place behind sister soap, The Young and the Restless for the top spot in total viewers; although it should be noted they continued to close the gap for the race to #1. For the ratings period, The Bold and the Beautiful average 2,695,000 tuning-in, but was down week-over-week -83,000, but with the biggest soap gains year-over-year at this time with +228,000.

In other good news for the show, it came in at #1 for the key women’s 18-49 rating share defeating Y&R, and came in #2 for the women’s 25-54 rating share behind Y&R.

In story for the ratings week: Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) goes into panic-mode after a positive pregnancy and breaks the news to Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor). Katie (Heather Tom) tries to meddle in Will’s (Crew Morrow) love life with Dylan (Sydney Bullock), thus having Katie visit Electra (Laneya Grace) and telling the young woman to try to win Will back. Finn (Tanner Novlan) tries to give surrogacy advice to Carter and Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) unaware of his wife Steffy’s drunken night with Carter, and the true cause-effect of that moment.

Nick and Marie

Photo: JPI

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Once again, Y&R remained as the number one most-viewed broadcast television daytime drama of then all, clocking in with 3,059,000 tuning-in, but down -130,000 week-over-week, but still up + 159,000 year-over-year. Y&R also remained in the top spot for household ratings share and atop the key women’s 25-54 rating share.

In story for the week: Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) escaped custody and tracked down Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Meanwhile, Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Victoria (Amelia Heinle) continue their affair and are almost caught by Phyllis (Michelle Stafford). Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) and Marie (Jade Harlow) shared a heartfelt goodbye before she leaves town to continue her recovery. Jack (Peter Bergman) sets a trap for Patty as he collapses at Society.

Of note: Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.

So, what do you think about the latest ratings picture and how Beyond the Gates is gaining on General Hospital in total viewers while already besting them in both key demos? Which soap opera is piquing your interest the most? Which is not doing it for you? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

2
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x