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BEYOND THE GATES: The Cotillion Brings High-Society and Debs; as Shots Rings Out In Warehouse

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: CBS

In a standout episode of Beyond the Gates, the beauty, the heritage, and the wealthy gathered for Samantha Richardson’s (Najah Jackson) cotillion debut. But that’s not all, the writers found a way to juxtapose this major event in a young Black woman’s life with the sting operation that was going down where Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges), who is undercover, and the cops are going to nail the leaders of the illegal blood plasma operation, once and for all

What made this episode so good was when you went to the danger of the cops outside the drop point, and Jacob and the bad guys inside, you felt like you were watching a primetime procedural drama; especially the way the scenes were directing and the camera work. Then, you bounce back to the heartfelt cotillion and what it means for the young woman and the high society families in Fairmont Crest.

It should not go without saying, that the Beyond the Gates, wardrobe, hair and make-up department did a phenomenal job with the cotillion and the casting of the debs and their escorts. Pretty much perfection. And let’s not forget about when the debs and their guys busted a move right in the middle of the formal dance. Nice touch!

Courtesy/CBS

COTILLION SYNCHRONICITY

In story, Donnell (Alex Cheeks) is late which freaks out Samantha and Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli). No one knows where he could be. Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Kat (Colby Nixon) step up to be the hosts for the proceedings when the usual host is unable to perform her duties due to falling ill.

When it’s time for the debs to be announced one by one, Francesca (Madison Alsobrook) steps on Samantha’s gown intentionally, but lucky for her, Donnell has arrived just in time to catch her from hitting the floor. After each deb is presented, they are each joined by their escort and make a trip around the dance floor. Next, came the Waltz which was precision by all involved, with a little 2026 dance moves sprinkled in the middle of it.

Jessica’s (Camryn Jade) parents did not like the fun of the dance and called her a “video vixen” and an embarrassment to the family. Nathan (Brennen Suttle) insults Samantha which leads to the young man being told to stay away from Terrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) by Ted (Keith D. Robinson). Next, June (Jasmine Burke) comes upon Nathan drinking from a flask! (Don’t tell me he is going to be drunk behind the wheel of a car and hit someone?)

Upset, Jessica tells Tyrell they should go be alone together and she knows where they can go to finish what they started the other day. However, it’s time for the reveal of the Platinum Deb! To do the honors is … Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley).

Courtesy/CBS

MAN DOWN

Elsewhere, outside the warehouse and inside the surveillance car, Elon (Malachi Malik) and Marcel (Darryl W. Handy) keep tabs on what is about to go down, and Randy (Maurice P. Kerry), who was sent by Joey ends up arrested in the back seat of the cop car. Inside, Grayson (Jordi Vilasuso) and Jacob prepare for the delivery and big meeting. Derek (Ben Gavin) shows up having followed Grayson there and sees Jacob.

Dr Lia Whitmore (Cecelia Specht) arrives, saying she wants to be a part the big presentation to the higher-ups. She comes upon Jacob, who reveals himself. Knowing she’s caught, she tells Jacob she will strike a deal with him. Suddenly, Ren (Donny Carrington) gets a call about a leak and decides they need to end the life of Grayson! Ren screams they will all pay for double crossing him.

Suddenly, guns are drawn as the police arrive. Derek tries to stop someone from being shot, but at the end of the episode we see Jacob down on the ground. Beyond the Gates EP’s, Sheila Ducksworth and Julie Carruthers previously teased that someone will die this week, but who will it be? Is it Derek? Lia? Grayson? Jacob, or someone else?

Now below, what did you think of the cotillion episode part 1? Who will be named Platinum Deb? Who do you think doesn’t make it out alive at the warehouse? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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This was a good episode.

Great episode. Loved the cotillion. When it was announced that it was going to be a special episode, I was weary. I was wrong. I especially loved when June was acknowledged as her mom!

The undercover stuff was a bore for me… ready for that storyline to be wrapped up. Wouldn’t mind a big mystery unfolding though. I want a murder storyline, a true who dunnit with numerous suspects, and an explosive court case

It was an outstanding episode from beginning to end. Steven Williford was incredible as director, the choreography was tight, and it was a not-to-miss hour. Beyond the Gates continues to be a must-watch for American daytime soap operas.

Very good episode! Very well done production team.

THIS is how you do a May Sweeps event! The rest of the daytime soaps must be on vacation bc NO OTHER SOAP has anything noticeable happening! What happened to all the May Sweeps drama? Nothing from Y&R, B&B, or even GH!

BTG KILLED THIS EPISODE! It was black excellence and drama from start to finish. Kudos to the director and the production team! The debs were gorgeous in their gowns and all the young men in tuxes were on point! I DO think something is going to happen with Nathan and him drinking. And the culmination of the plasma ring wqs so exciting! I hope Derek doesnt die, but sacrificing his life for Jacob would be a memorable way to go. Ashley would be a wreck, and even Grayson would feel some guilt. The casting of Donnell and Deanna is simply perfection. They are so believable as the children of Doug and Vanessa.

I CANNOT wait to see who The Impalee is! BRAVO, BTG!

I loved this episode! Everyone looked elegant and the dance was perfection! I even learned something because I wasn’t aware of the popularity of Cotillions.

BTG thanks for keeping us captived over the past year. You have shown the African-Americans/Black folks come in all shapes and sizes, with wants and needs like everyone else. The cotillion was a major success and I am so glad Chessey’s date was busted, leaving her and her evil grandma with egg on the faces. Thank you Michele and Sheila Ducksworth, for bringing BTG to life! Looking forward to what’s next.

Great episode!!! Who do I think will die? Maybe Grayson or Ren

Beyond the Gates

Tamara Tunie Opens Up About ‘Beyond the Gates’ Co-Star Clifton Davis Emmy Snub, and Her ‘Bittersweet’ Nomination Upon Scott Bryce’s Death

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Clifton Davis, Tamara Tunie, Scott Bryce

Beyond the Gates scored 15 Daytime Emmy nominations, the best-ever showing for a series entering the Daytime Emmy race in history for the first time. Among those 15 nominations came the news of the well-deserved nod for Tamara Tunie as Outstanding Lead Actress for her role of Anita Williams Dupree.

Tunie is nominated in the Lead Actress category along with her TV daughter, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree). For both actresses, this marks their first Daytime Emmy nominations.

However, one of the main actors on the show, Clifton Davis, who plays Anita’s husband, Vernon Dupree, did not make the list for the Lead Actor finalists.

Photo: CBS

CLIFTON DAVIS TOOK LEAD ACTOR OMISSION ‘LIKE A CHAMP’

In a talk with Gold Derby, Tunie addressed the omission by sharing, awards are a “dice roll from year to year.” She shared she hopes in 2027 Davis will get his due. Tamara offered up Clifton’s reaction to not being amongst the cast going for gold on October 30, the night of the Daytime Emmys in Hollywood.

“There were several other people who were overlooked, not just Clifton, and it’s all with a grain of salt, and it’s not a reflection on the work in any way, shape, or form,” the veteran actress explained. “Oftentimes, as we know in this business, there are other considerations and things that happen. Some votes may cancel out other votes, and it just doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t diminish that he’s a legend, and he always will be. He took it like a champ. He’s been doing this long enough to understand that it doesn’t reflect the work at all.”

JOY MIXED WITH SORROW AFTER THE PASSING OF AS THE WORLD TURNS’ SCOTT BRYCE

In addition to the joy of scoring her long overdue Emmy nomination, Tunie also experienced incredible sorrow. The night before the Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed for Lead Actress on Monday, July 13, came the news that Tamara’s longtime friend and As the World Turns co-star, Scott Bryce, has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 68.

It was gut-punch to Tamara’s soul. She recalled, “He was my brother. I was so heartbroken and low, and then the announcement came that I was nominated, and it lifted my spirits tremendously. At the same time, it was bittersweet and poignant, because I know that Scotty would have been the first one to pick up the phone and call me.”

Bryce appeared as Craig Montgomery on the CBS soap opera from 1982–1991, 1993–1994, and 2007–2008. Tamara Tunie played Jessica Griffin from 1987 to February 1995, 1999 -2007, and one final appearance in 2009.

To honor her beloved friend, while Tunie was not able to attend Scott’s Celebration of Life service in Connecticut on July 25, she did write a beautiful tribute that was read during the memorial to the attendees.

TAMARA TUNIE’S DAYTIME-EMMY NOMINATED REEL SCENE SELECTIONS

Tamara also shared what scenes were on her nominated reel which includes: “Anita doing a rap, Anita being her own female impersonator, and Anita in what I call my Michael Corleone moment, when Dani has shot up the wedding and she comes into the house and I say, ‘Is this my daughter I see before me? How dare you!'”

In addition, Anita’s cancer journey is also part of the reel. Tunie explained how she was able to play the story which suc poignancy. “I have loved ones who have been on that cancer journey. Some survived, some did not. I was able to pull a lot of emotional information because of my experiences with loved ones.”

So, do you feel Clifton Davis was a definite Lead Actor Daytime Emmy snub? Are you rooting for Tamara to pick up the gold statuette given the heartbreaking loss of Scott Bryce and the scenes on her nominated reel? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Nick Hagelin Makes His ‘Beyond the Gates’ Debut as Noah Rollins

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Nick Hagelin

Beyond the Gates viewers were in for a surprise on the Wednesday, July 22 episode when singer/actor/dancer, Nick Hagelin made his soap opera debut in the recurring role of Noah Rollins, the son of Dr. Kial Rollins played by soap vet Greg Vaughan.

In story, Noah comes to the DMV area and lands at none other than Orphey Jeans coffee shop. He is spotted by Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley) who becomes quite smitten with him. However, Noah is having trouble paying his bill to June (Daytime Emmy nominee Jasmine Burke).

One thing leads to another, and Deanna comes by his table and offers to pay for his bill. Noah gives her his number (his phone died and he has no plug) so she can Venmo him her account info to send her back the funds. Later, Deanna talks with June, who notices how Deanna and Noah had eyes for each other, and senses there was definitely an attraction there.

Courtesy/CBS

NOAH IS INTRODUCED

Next, Noah comes to Garland Memorial Hospital looking for his dad, and runs into Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), who knew exactly who he was and brings him to see Kial, who is surprised to see his son in town.

Noah needs money and Kial won’t pay it, unless he takes a job to pay for music career right here in the DC/Maryland area.  Kial tells his son, Atlanta and New York City aren’t that far away if he gets a gig. So, Noah agrees to apply for the job at the free clinic, which Kial will help push through and in return he will get him some cash. Noah is then going to crash at Kial’s place and Kial will go stay with Nicole.

Nick Hagelin is an Atlanta-based performer which is where Beyond the Gates is taped. Previously, Hagelin was in the Top 9 on NBCs The Voice, and has a band in Atlanta called The Fantasy Exchange. Nick also writes and produces for other artists and has had his original music featured on the series, FX Atlanta and Saturday Night Live.

As a ballet dancer, Nick trained at the prestigious School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center in New York City and he has performed with the American Ballet, plus Carolina Ballet, The Kirov, Atlanta Opera, and the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre. Hagelin’s acting credits include the Indie film, Exit Interviews starring OLTL favorite Tuc Watkins (ex-David Vickers), Max’s Sweet Magnolias, The Hunting Wives and many more.

GREG VAUGHAN GONE FROM BEYOND THE GATES?

The addition of Kial’s son to the canvas left many fans wondering if Greg Vaughan has already left the show or was his recent Instagram message about something else entirely. Beyond the Gates tapes over four months ahead of episodes airing on CBS.

Vaughan’s post shared, “My heart is full. My purpose is just getting started. I’m grateful for my life, my family, the people who consistently show up, and the lessons that shaped me. Every challenge has become preparation. Every blessing has become perspective… I’m simply grateful for how far God has brought me, and excited for everything that’s still ahead.”

Greg concluded: “Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey. Family. Friends. Fans. Colleagues. Your encouragement has meant more than you know. Here’s to the next chapter.”

Friends and colleagues jumped into Vaughan’s comment thread including: Robert Christopher Riley who plays Carlton on Beyond the Gates who shared, “Love and miss ya buddy,” fueling speculation that Vaughan is no longer on the CBS soap.

So, what did you think of the on-screen debut of Nick Hagelin as Noah Rollins? Intrigued to see more? Do you think from Greg Vaughan’s message that he is no longer on Beyond the Gates? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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‘Beyond the Gates’ Karla Mosley and B&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor Share Their Thoughts on Being First-Time Daytime Emmy Nominees Together (Exclusive)

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Karla Mosley, Lawrence Saint-Victor

When it was announced last Monday and Tuesday that longtime friends, scene partners and creative collaborators, Karla Mosley (Dani, Beyond the Gates) and Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter, The Bold and the Beautiful) became first-time Daytime Emmy nominees, they could not have been happier for each other as their connection continues to remain so strong to this day. They have literally gone though their daytime journeys together in so many ways.

As longtime daytime viewers know, Karla and Lawrence first appeared on Guiding Light as Christina and Remy Boudreau. They remained with the beloved CBS soap opera, as it went off the air until its final episode in 2009.

Next, both Karla and Lawrence wound up being cast on The Bold and the Beautiful, she as Maya Avant and he as Carter Walton. At one point, the character’s dated each other, and even became engaged. Later, it was revealed that Maya was a trans woman who was truly in love with Rick Forrester (then played by Jacob Young). Along the way, Karla and Lawrence collaborated on a web series called Wed-Locked, which explored the modern-day realities of being newlyweds. It was conceived in 2009, while they were wrapping up Guiding Light and revived in 2018.

Photo: JPI

Now, here we are in 2026. Karla is one of the stars of CBS’ groundbreaking soap opera, Beyond the Gates, where she received her first Lead Actress nomination for her portrayal of Dani Dupree. Lawrence remains on The Bold and the Beautiful, but get this! He received not only his first nomination for acting and in the Supporting Actor category, but a second for Outstanding Writing Team, since Saint-Victor holds double duty with the CBS soap as a writer and a performer.

During the Michael Fairman Channel’s annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special, Lawrence and Karla closed the show where they were able to speak to each other on the livestream broadcast, and share their feelings on being nominated together in a very special moment. They also let us know what was on their Emmy-nominated reels that landed them this very special recognition for the first time in their veteran soap opera careers.

KARLA AND LAWRENCE WERE OVERJOYED FOR EACH OTHER 

Lawrence explained, “Karla and I spoke earlier and we were talking about the synergy we have had throughout the years. Our kids were born in the same week, and so many other things where it’s like we are just so aligned – and so to find out that we’re both first-time nominees in this together … it kind of makes sense when you look at our lives together.”

“I’m so proud of Karla. I’ve always been proud of Karla, but her work on Beyond the Gates, and the responsibility that was given to her to take this world that no one knows about and showcase it, and make it with so much nuance and depth and flare and swag and all this stuff she brings to Dani is fantastic! I’m proud of your show…. 15 nominations.”

Karla replied, “I’m going to sing Lawrence’s praises and say that he has been working for so many years and so hard, and writing and just showing up and being whatever anyone needed him to be, and doing it with excellence every single time. The fact that you’re finally being acknowledged in this way is overdue. I’m overjoyed. Tony (Anthony Pascarelli) who directs both The Bold and the Beautiful and Beyond the Gates came on set. I was doing this emotional scene, and we were in between scenes and he goes, ‘Lawrence! Lawrence!’ He goes, ‘Oops. I shouldn’t have told you that now!’ And I go, ‘No, no. I have to know! That’s my brother!’ It was perfect.”

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCENES FOR YOUR EMMY REEL

It’s always a tough call when actors submit their work for Emmy contention. How do you chose a reel that will capture the voters right away? Do you tell an arc of a story in highlighted scenes, or do you put together a sequence of scenes that may be somewhat unrelated but show your depth as a performer?  Clearly, Karla and Lawrence chose right! Here’s how they went about assembling the scenes for their reels.

Photo: CBS

Karla: “I thought, I’m just going to put together something that’s fun for me. I ended up starting with the golf club moment in that blue suit, and then cut to: the gun shot scene at the wedding where she’s holding Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) and Hayley (Marquita Goings) up. Then, we go back to a scene after she comes in with the golf club. So, we really kind of get the Bill/Dani dynamic and what’s going on there. And then, we go to one of my favorite scenes from last year where Ashley’s (Jen Jacob) in the bathroom and Dani’s talking to Andre (Sean Freeman) at Uptown. It’s comedic. It’s Dani at her best wit and banter. Then, we get the scene with Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) where she comes out, and tells her mom that she’s bisexual, which is one of the great moments, because in real life I was coming out at the same time.”

In addition, Mosley continued,”Then another Bill/Dani scene where she’s saying she moved on and here’s why, and here’s why I don’t want to be with you anymore. In the scenes, she really has found her strength, and before that I put in the mugshot photo shoot. The photo shoot was a last minute addition, I woke up inspired by it and had to include it!”

Photo: JPi

LAWRENCE SAINT-VICTOR’S PICKED BREAK-UP SCENES WITH HOPE

Lawrence shared, “The heart of Carter is always about trying to be in love and fall in love. So, I used the Hope (Annika Noelle) breakup scenes and it’s what led my reel, because at the end of the day, everything he does is for love, and for me, the climax of his story is it still didn’t work. We had two breakup scenes. One was a pre-breakup scene, and then Carter got her back. The next one is when he tells her to ‘Go be with Liam. Go be with your family.’ Then, I also had a scene Carter and Daphne (Murielle Hilaire), where he’s just kind of down and out about losing Hope the first time.”

You can check out the segment where Karla and Lawrence meet up on the Daytime Emmy Nomination Special video below at the 2:56:00 mark.

The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be held on October 30 from the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood California and streamed at watch.theemmys.tv and associated apps.

So, what do you think of Karla and Lawrence scoring their first-ever Daytime Emmy nominations in the same year? What do you think about the scenes they put on their nominated reels? Have you watched them since their days on Guiding Light together? Let us know via the comment section below.

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