When Maurice Johnson became the first actor to be replaced in the history of daytime’s newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates, viewers of the show were mostly surprised since he had received positive feedback from many in the series online fanbase.
It was back in May on-screen that Keith D. Robinson stepped into the role, where it seemed the character of Ted was undergoing creatively a bit of a character shift. Robinson came into the story at a very dramatic point just after Ted learns that he has a daughter, Eva (Ambyr Michelle) with Leslie/Dana (Trisha Mann-Grant) and she outs their long-ago affair thus busting up Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) and Ted’s happy marriage.
Now, for the first time since leaving the CBS soap opera, Maurice sat down for a full-fledged conversation with Brandi Harvey, the daughter of Steve Harvey, for her interview You Tube Series, Vault Empowers. During it, Johnson was very clear and direct about his desire to work in faith-based projects; given he is a pastor’s son and faith is an integral part of who he is, while continuing to be a part of film and TV projects that are in line with the characters he wants to portray, and that he sees himself as a good fit for including action-adventure types, plus his stance on why he chooses not to take on gay roles for himself.
Photo: YouTube
When speaking on how he embodied the role of Beyond the Gates’ plastic surgeon extraordinaire, Dr. Ted Richardson, Johnson shared the keys to becoming his version of Ted, asking yourself as an actor, “How did he walk? What was his mannerisms? How did he dress? What kind of suits he wore, his watches, everything was planned. Everything is intentional,” reflected Johnson. “I think we owe it to our society to show those things. We have an opportunity, we have a platform. We have got all of these eyes that are watching CBS right now. And it’s like, ‘OK, what story are we going to tell?”
Maurice informed Brandi, that when you saw his version of Ted, you were seeing him, which is what he feels viewers of the series resonated with. “I seemed authentic and what my wants and desires were. Every single time before I touched that soundstage, people would laugh at me. I said, ‘I love my wife, I love my kids.’And that was my momentum in that scene to make sure that I gave them that in that scene and hopefully, you know, it was captured.”
Representing a strong masculine man through his acting is important to Johnson, “Manhood is okay. We’ve gotten into the society where everything is just being pushed down our throats. I’m a heterosexual male. Those are the only roles that I play. I’m not going to play any other roles. I’m not going do it justice.” He added, “I want it to be believable. It’s not going to be believable for me. That’s the thing, we have to stand our ground in the roles that we take, as we make this ascent. There may be a lot of opportunities that have been missed out on, but you have to stay true to yourself.”
Photo: JPI
Clarifying why he would never take on a gay role, Johnson expressed, “I’m not gay. (Go) get a gay guy to play this role. If a gay guy saw me play that role they would be “uh-uh,” he’s not right. Ted is me. What you saw on TV (on Beyond the Gates) is me.”
Expanding on that, and the reactions he received from people on the street when he played Ted on Beyond the Gates, “Women walked up to me and would say, ‘I love how you play this role,’ the grandmamas and aunties who say, ‘We have a manly man on TV now.’ I think they need to see that. They need to see positive role models. I wanted kids and young men to look at me like I looked at Bill Cosby. I knew HBCUs because of all of the HBCUs that Cosby wore, every single episode. How did he treat his wife? How did he treat his kids? He raised every single one of them differently. So, you can be manly, empathetic, and be present with your wife.That’s what every woman wants.”
Right now, Johnson is very busy. He is actually getting ready to being production on a faith-based project that he is producing himself starting at the end of the year. He also shared whether its faith-based, action, or soap operas, all of these are the same types of characters with some of the same nuances that he likes to bring to the table.
Watch the full discussion with with Maurice Johnson and Brandi Harvey below.
Then let us know if you miss Maurice on Beyond the Gates, and your thoughts on his stance on the types of roles he will play in TV and film projects, via the comment section below.
This ‘interview’ is so off-putting, and his toxicity is on full display. His very shallow-minded views of what a man is… not the best look. Glad he is no longer in the role of Ted; that role firmly belongs to Keith D. Robinson, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I had a similar reaction, Scott. “Toxicity” is a spot-on characterization of what comes through in the interview. The whole thing reeked of him trying to find acceptable-sounding ways to express ideas and concepts that totally are not. It’s all very under-the-surface (I have grown so, so tired of “faith-based” as a euphemism for “discriminatory and intolerant,” and I’m gratified whenever I see true Christians–you know, the ones who read the whole Bible and not just the parts that support their own prejudices–trying to take back the narrative), but it’s definitely there; I was actually kind of creeped-out as I read what he was saying because it felt (as it always does in cases like this) like I was being gaslighted.
Although I had no issues with how he played Ted, I have a lot of issues with how he expressed himself here. I mean, come on (and this is just one example): if only gay men can play gay men on screen (in his view), then why can someone who’s not a doctor play a doctor on screen–why is sexuality such a focus for him when he considers what roles he can and cannot/will and will not play? I can only imagine what he was like as a coworker, especially to the openly LGBTQ+ members of the cast.
I wondered, at the time, why he was being replaced; unfortunately, this interview gives a lot of insight, and it isn’t very flattering to him.
Like you, I’ve grown tired of the “faith-based” excuse. Faith does not preach hate from what I’ve seen and been told, and yet, that is exactly what Johnson’s words bleed out. And his attempts to try and make it polished on social media are quite… off-putting.
I absolutely agree; gay men have played ‘straight’ on film and television for years. I understand the sentiment of securing gay roles for gay actors, but I’m of the mind that is counterproductive to the cause.
I always believed the story told to the press that it was his own personal reasons for exiting the role, and his ‘personal reasons’, to me, are bigoted, toxic, and completely shallow-minded. The role is better without him in it. Truly.
I would think Mr. Johnson would have had an inkling of his character’s path as his storyline was one of the first to develop. I consider myself a man and a man of faith, too, but this is daytime drama and the plots often deal with human frailties and redemptions. I took some offense to his approach to roles. Acting is an art of acceptance, allowing others’ stories, experiences, and lives into the practitioner’s own. I accept choices but I am not pleased with the dismissive tone this interview seems to take.
Michael, this user continues to post hateful rhetoric throughout your site, especially where this soap is concerned. It’s highly offensive.
JONATHAN
4 months ago
hes not an actor and probably closeted
Michael (I'm openly gay) Teale
4 months ago
Now that I’m up-to-date on what and why he left the show, I along with pretty much everyone who commented on his story below minus the 1 person who applauded his decision, I am glad he was replaced. I cannot imagine what it was like for the actors who are openly gay deal with his toxic “manhood if you will”. I also thought about the actress who plays Naomi who is a lesbian in real life had to deal with his toxic viewpoints on set. With that all said, I’m glad he’s gone. No more turtle neck shirt/sweater. Thank the top dogs at the show and network for getting his toxic ass as far away from the show as possible. No one needs to deal with that BS, especially his former co-workers! #boybye
Satan
4 months ago
A Devil really hates to go with stereotypes, but a guy in a lavender suit giving lectures about masculinity?? Really??
Good one, Satan. And great points by others here! What an off-putting commentary by this actor! His obvious homophobia is offensive. His take on masculinity is vapid. His attachment to his faith is stifling. He’s trying to create such the narrowed niche for himself in the acting field. Good luck with that…
He mentions Bill Cosby as a role model. Is he aware of Cosby’s full story?!?!
Not buying the “holier than thou” attitude. This isn’t from the Bible, but Shakespeare: “Methinks thou doth protest too much.”
I wondered about the Cosby references too, Jamesj75. OK, sure, independent of Mr. Cosby himself, The Cosby Show was a wonderful show in many ways and was a landmark in Black television history (as is BTG). Cliff Huxtable was a fundamentally decent man and a good husband. Mr. Cosby is, by all accounts, neither one—so why oh why if you’re going to pick someone to point to as a role model, would you choose the actor rather than the character he played? It’s either unbelievably tone-deaf (which from this interview, I could believe Mr. Johnson is) or deliberately provocative, take your pick, and neither reflects well on Mr. Johnson.
James…as always…RIGHT ON BROTHER!!!!! To me, during that entire interview, that Maurice Johnson dude was nothing but egotistical, cocky and EVEN MORE arrogant!!!!! Brother…as you already know, I CANNOT STAND arrogant, cocky and egotistical people!!!!! And…to me, that Maurice Johnson jerk HORRIBLY REEKS of all 3 of those disgusting characteristics!!!!! BEYOND YUCK!!!!!
Satan…oh I agree with what you’re saying. Also, to me, that white-looking outfit that he’s wearing in that photo…to me, that photo is sending seriously gay vibes. Just saying.
andre
4 months ago
Oh my God! He sounds just like my toxic dad. That same old black man toxic masculinity syndrome. This article was a hard read, but it’s true. He has a very old school way of viewing the world. That’s fine for him, but he’s an actor….It’s his job to portray a character. With someone like him, you just have to pray for him and ignore him. But I will say this, he is probably on Grindr with no profile. SMH…
J.J.
4 months ago
Sadly, this is probably why he was replaced.
Lewis
4 months ago
He’s entitled to his beliefs, but it was not his job to preach to his cast mates or to direct story. His Ted was extremely stiff, and I guess that’s what he calls being masculine. Keith Robinson is doing a great job as Ted Richardson. I wish Mr. Johnson all the best in finding roles that fit his high Lewis standards. Question – Have we seen him in anything else since his departure?
.
I meant to write finding roles that meet his high standards.
Penina
4 months ago
I like the original ted very much it would be nice it he return that one acts like a fool like a mindless minion don’t mean to be disrespectful just saying I know it’s a soap he just seemed wrong for the part the original one looked like he was made for the part.
Kelly
4 months ago
I actually prefer the new Ted for the role. I didnt care for the way the first Ted would seem to be slightly moving from side to side when speaking. I think the current Ted plays his role well. I remembered him from the movie This Christmas. He’s been acting for quite a while.
On the Friday, May 8 episode of Beyond the Gates, the CBS daytime drama served up another fantasy sequence between married couple Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) and Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley). The moment happened after Dani overheard a suspicious conversation and teasingly asks her hubby if he is spy?
This launches into story time by Dani, when she dreams up a scenario straight out of the look of the Blaxploitation films of the early to mid 70s. We are talking Pam Grier in Foxy Brown, Richard Roundtree in Shaft, and Sweet Sweet Badassses Song from Melvin Van Peoples and others.
In Dani’s story, both she and Andre are spies at Orphey Gene’s. Andre reveals he wears an eye patch. In the fantasy, Andre is also deemed to be a men’s underwear photographer from Iowa. The two seems to be double agents.
Courtesy/CBS
After the scenes aired, the official Beyond the Gates Instagram account and Karla Mosley shared it on social, and many of the BTG cast jumped in the comment thread, as the series always brings it in the hair and make-up and wardrobe department and they had this down.
Sean Freeman said, “Sooo much fun shooting this one 🔥,” while Karla Mosley added, “The way I have been waiting for this episode to drop!” BTG Writer, Danielle Paige shared, “One of my fave days to write!!!”
While some fans loved it, others were not so in love with it. Check out the satire below featuring Dani and Andre’s 70s Foxy Brown-esque fantasy.
Then let us know, did you enjoy the repartee and think it was clever, plus the wardrobe, make-up and hair throwing it back to decades ago in the cinema … or do you think it was a waste of time on an episode and would prefer not to see fantasy sequences? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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.
