Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Creator Michele Val Jean Reveals the One Cast Member She Would Have Loved to Have On Her Show
It’s hard to believe that today marks the seven-year anniversary of the death of two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Kristoff St. John. The former star of Generations and The Young and the Restless passed away on February 3, 2019 from accidental hypertrophic heart disease, exacerbated by alcohol use.
It should not be discounted the impact St. John had on the daytime world as one of its all-time leading Black actors. He won critical praise for his long-running role as Neil Winters as Y&R, a part he played for over 27 years, which began in 1991 with his last on-screen appearance in 2019, shortly before his death. Before that, Kristoff played the leading younger male of Generations, Adam Marshall, from 1989-1991.
Generations was the forebearer to Beyond the Gates. At that time, Generations was the first soap to have a Black family as its lead characters. The half-hour soap aired on NBC. It should also be noted that Beyond the Gates creator, executive producer and head writer, Michele Val Jean also wrote for the soap.

Photo: NBC
Now, coming full-circle with having her own show on CBS, an hour-long Black-led groundbreaking daytime show in its second season, she reflected on the loss of St. John and honored him with a very touching post on Instagram on Tuesday.
Standing side by side with Kristoff in a photo, Michele expressed, “Such a loss. I still miss him. Would have loved to have had that full circle moment of him on #BeyondTheGates Rest in power, Kristoff ”
Oh, what a moment that would have been! We bet Kristoff would have loved an opportunity to appear on Beyond the Gates or at least crossover from Y&R, if he was not lured over to the show by the talented Val Jean.
Jumping into her Instagram thread in memory of Kristoff were: Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree, BTG) who shared, “Me too, Michele. And I feel him in and through all of this” Sharing heartfelt emojis were Tracey Bregman (Lauren Fenmore Baldwin, Y&R) and Brandon Claybon (Martin Richardson, BTG).
So, share your remembrances for Kristoff St. John on the anniversary of his passing, and let us know, would you have loved to see him in a role on ‘Beyond the Gates’ and the chance to collaborate again with Michele Val Jean? Let us know in the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
Honestly, Kristoff would have been an amazing addition to have on Beyond the Gates, and I have a strong feeling he would have been there in a heartbeat for Michele! I really do.
I can’t believe it’s been seven years since his passing. It’s funny, I ran across of picture of him and Bryton James online last night, not knowing it’s the anniversary. He is still missed.
Beyond the Gates
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Dani Tries to Deal with Her Guilt Over Betraying Andre; Who Will be the Donor Match for Eva?
After the tornado ripped through Fairmont Crest last week, as all-new episodes begin on the Monday June 15th episode of Beyond the Gates, lives are on the line, and guilt is the order of the day.
First, Eva (Ambyr Michelle) has been rushed to Garland Memorial Hospital, and from CBS promo for this week’s Beyond the Gates, Ted (Keith D. Robinson) is sick with worry about his daughter, and goes to his other daughter Kat (Colby Nixon) to consider to be tested to see if she can be a donor match for her sister, but she seems to be refusing. Will she change her mind? And, what will viewers learned happen to Eva? Her boyfriend, Isaiah Hawthorne (Lami) is shown in tears!
Meanwhile, Martin (Brandon Claybon) lies unconscious back at Fairmont Crest after collapsing when he was on his way home with Smitty (Mike Manning). Will he be OK, or also rushed to the hospital? If so, will he need surgery or be the match Eva needs?

Courtesy/CBS
Elsewhere, both Dani (Karla Mosley) and Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) are with their spouses reflecting on being stuck with each other in an elevator, which ultimately led to them having sex! Andre (Sean Freeman) is continuing to profess how deeply he loves Dani, and the thought of anything happening to her he says would destroy him.
However, Hayley (Marquita Goings) is questioning Bill about his whereabouts when viewers know she was making out with Genoa City’s Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) in a closet! So both husband and wife, have been cheating’ behind each other’s backs!
SPOILERS
Take a look at the official Beyond the Gates spoilers for the week of June 15-19 below.
Monday, June 15
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. Vanessa is frantic when she can’t get in touch with Donnell or Deanna.
Tuesday, June 16
Dani battles a guilty conscience. Joey’s sister pays him a visit. Ted reassures Kat while the Richardson-Smiths receive devastating news. The tornado displaces Bill and Hayley.
Wednesday, June 17
Kat rages at Izaiah. Shanice offers Leslie an olive branch. Kial is there for Nicole while Jan comforts Ashley. Ted begs his daughter to do something for him.
Thursday, June 18
Time is running out for someone in critical condition. Dani confronts Bill. Chelsea is a sounding board for her cousin. Carlton tips Nicole off to an urgent matter. Andre offers Izaiah support.
Friday, June 19
Anita advises her granddaughter. Andre and Bill lock horns. Kat receives life-altering information. Leslie’s good news quickly gets snatched away. The Hawthornes come together for one of their own. Hayley and Naomi find common ground.
Check out the drama coming up on Beyond the Gates in the video teaser below
Now let us know, do you think Dani and Bill will begin a secret affair, or realize they should be together, or will they go back to their current spouses? Who do you think will be the donor match for Eva? Isaiah? Martin? Kat? Someone else? Make your picks via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Brandon Claybon Talks Inclusion, The Crossover, While the Fate of Martin Richardson Hangs in the Balance
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.
Beyond the Gates
BEYOND THE GATES: A Tornado Hits Fairmont Crest Part 1: Eva and Martin on Seriously Injured List
On the Thursday, June 11 episode of Beyond the Gates the highly-anticipated tornado struck the Fairmont Crest Country Club while Martin Richardson was holding a fundraiser with the most prominent citizens of Genoa City and the D.C./Maryland area attending.
Martin tells the guest that weather reports indicate a tornado warning, and as he tells them to exit the ballroom to safety, the twister strikes sending everyone into peril,. Richardson and Dupree and Abbott family members are calling out for each other as chaos ensues.
Here is who got stuck with who: Dani and Bill are stuck in an elevator and begin to get hot and bothered after trying to escape. Hayley is stuck in a closet with Kyle Abbott and they makeout, and then to pass the time she puts on some tunes and they dance.

Courtesy/CBS
THOSE IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION
Things are much more serious for Kat and Eva who winds up in a closet but a mental wall comes crashing down upon them. As Kat rails at her sister, Eva says she doesn’t feel well and begins to spit up blood. Kat is a wreck and is trying to deal with her sister’s plight, but they are trapped.
Leslie is helping Anita with her injured ankle, while Vernon goes to try to restore some power, get walkie-talkies and do what he can for everyone inside Fairmont Crest. Nicole and Smitty hear a noise and realize Andre is buried under the rubble in the ballroom. As it turns Andre’s leg was injured when a piece of metal got stuck in it. Ted gets Andre stitched up and tells him to stay put.
The Genoa City contingent can’t locate Victor Newman or Kyle Abbott, as Jack and Diane try to help others. Meanwhile, suddenly yells out that someone is under the tree. Smitty and Nicole gasps as its Martin! He is not moving in and needs medical attention. Smitty fighting back tears asks Martin to squeeze his hand if he can hear him. But there is no response.
Abby Newman worried for the whereabouts of her father, walks away just as chandelier begins to fall from the ceiling, Diane screams out to Abby to watch out. We fade to black.
Beyond the Gates delivered as they had promised, a riveting episode and one of the best soap opera tornadoes harkening back to the days of All My Children. But what did you think of part one? Martin and Eva as the two characters currently most in trouble? What about Dani and Bill getting hot and heavy and Hayley kissin on Kyle? What was your favorite part of part 1? Let us know via the comment section below.
-
Breaking News1 week ago‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital2 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital1 day agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
-
General Hospital1 week agoKirsten Storms Addresses ‘General Hospital’ Status, Restraining Order Filed by Brandon Barash, and Clarification on Alleged Break-In
-
General Hospital1 week agoY&R Alum Kelly Kruger Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ as Serena Baldwin
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Creator Michele Val Jean Reveals Top Three Favorite Storylines She Has Ever Written For, and All From ‘General Hospital’
-
Beyond the Gates1 week agoAshley Jones Makes Her ‘Beyond the Gates’ Debut in a Shocking Reveal as ‘The Impaler’
-
General Hospital1 day ago‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)