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‘Beyond the Gates’ Stars Open Up About How They Landed the Lead Roles of the Duprees

By Michael Fairman

Published

2 years ago

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Photo: CBS

When you set out to launch the first network television daytime drama in over 25 years, and one that will be forever historic featuring a central and wealthy Black family at its epicenter, with predominantly an all-Black cast, you know that casting the key roles is of utmost importance. Such is the case with CBS’ new soap opera, Beyond the Gates.

When the series premieres on February 24 at 2PM ET/1PM PT on the CBS television network and streaming on Paramount+, viewers will be introduced to the Dupree family and the drama that ensues, and of course, the soapy tangled web they weave.

Beyond the Gates is the brainchild of noted soap opera writer, Michele Val Jean and CBS Studios/NAACP venture’s Sheila Ducksworth, and after the series was given the green light, the casting process began to fill the roles of the matriarch and patriarch, Anita and Vernon Dupree, and their two daughters, Dani and Nicole.

Photo: CBS

During a media press conference which included Michael Fairman TV, the stars of the series, Karla Mosley (Dani), Tamara Tunie (Anita), Clifton Davis (Vernon) and Daphnee Duplaix (Dr. Nicole Duplaix Richardson) spoke to how they landed their roles on the series; after Fairman asked about the road that led them to Beyond the Gates. Here’s what each had to share below.

KARLA MOSLEY (ex-Maya, B&B and ex-Christina, GL): “I have been friends with Michelle Val Jean since working on The Bold in The Beautiful.  She was always saying, ‘You know, I’d love to rope you in on something.’ But, of course you hear that in the industry time and time again. Then, I saw her at her belated birthday party last spring, and she said, ‘It’s happening. Karla, it’s really happening.’ I was just over the moon for her and so excited. Then she said, ‘It’s shooting in Atlanta.’ I was like, ‘I’m not moving to Atlanta.’ However, a couple months later they sent a script. I read the script and I read Dani. I texted her and I was like, ‘Michelle! I think it’ll be fun because she’s a departure from anything I’ve played before, and that’s really exciting.”‘

Photo: CBS

TAMARA TUNIE (ex-Jessica, ATWT): “At the end of August/early September, I got a call from my rep saying there is a new African-American soap that they’re going to be shooting in Atlanta, and they’d like to offer you the role of the matriarch. I said, ‘Let me read something and then let me sleep on it.’ I woke up the next morning and what was uppermost in my mind was the historic nature, and the glass-ceiling breaking of this project. An affluent African-American family leading a daytime drama for the first time in history was enticing to me. Michele Val Jean sent a lovely little note along with that invitation to join a Zoom call with her and Sheila Ducksworth to get more insight, and for me to also share what was going on in my life right now. Michele and Sheila told me about where the story was going, who my character was, and what was she’s involved with, her history, etc.  In the end, I said, ‘If we can work around those things that I have on my calendar, then we can continue this conversation. And so we did, and over a period of time, we came to an agreement.”

Tunie was also instrumental in the casting her leading man, Clifton Davis. She explained, “I sent an email to Michelle and Sheila and said, ‘By the way, I just spent five days with Clifton Davis and Winston Salem international Black Theater Festival. If you’re still talking to him about (taking on the role of) Vernon Dupree, just know we’ve connected. We are friends, we’ve got a nice chemistry, and I’m just throwing it out there. A week or so later, Clifton and I did a camera test together over Zoom, which was fun and the next morning he was Papa Dupree!”

Photo: CBS

CLIFTON DAVIS: “It was in June that my agents called me and said, ‘We just got an availability check to see if you would be interested in doing a daytime drama?’ I had a career of 40, 50 years of primetime television. That being said, I had looked at this and thought, ‘Let them know that I will be available,’ because I had been sitting on my sofa in Florida, and other than that playing golf, I was going crazy, missing work and I just loved to work.  I was so grateful to getting the call. They said, ‘We’ll be back in touch with you.’  So, another month went by and another month, and I said, ‘This ship has sailed.’ However, my agents found out that I was still in the running for the part. Then, I heard from Tamara Tunie, and she talked about how she was being offered the role of Anita. As it turns out, a couple weeks later, I did get that call that for the chemistry read with her. I genuinely admire and respect Tamara, and she feels the same way about me. That’s how I got into being on Beyond the Gates. I’m just proud to be here.”

DAPHNEE DUPLAIX (ex-Valerie, Passions, and ex-Rachel, OLTL): “My manager actually had a little birdie tell her about this series getting the green light, right around the summer. She was like, ‘I think this part, it’s yours. I can just feel it’. I was like, ‘OK,’ because of course, that’s what all agents and managers tell you. Then it was the same story for me as Clifton. I hadn’t heard anything. At the end of August, I get the audition. I put myself on tape, and it included two scenes. However, the next day, they asked, ‘Do you have your soap opera reel? We need it right now!’ I was like, ‘No, I don’t. It’s been years, but let me throw something together really quickly.’ So, I did and then I didn’t hear anything. I felt like I was being tortured… every week, every Friday hit, and still I heard nothing. Then one day, my manager sends me a text and he said, ‘Pop a bottle! It’s yours.’ When I really thought about the magnitude of what we were creating with Beyond the Gates, and what Sheila Ducksworth and Michelle Val Jean had put together, I was like, ‘Oh, my God! This is really big.’ I’ve just been so excited and so proud to be a part of this groundbreaking show.”

So, what do you think about the casting of Karla Mosley, Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis and Daphnee Duplaix as daytime drama’s newest major on-screen family? Excited to see their performances when Beyond the Gates makes it debut? Comment below. But first, in case you missed it, check out the most recent extended promo for the series.

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Can’t wait for the premiere! The cast sounds fantastic. Clifton Davis is one of my favorites. I saw him on Broadway in “Two Gentlemen from Verona” when I was a teen.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere

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1 day ago

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September 11, 2026

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BTG and Y&R

CBS daytime dramas, Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless go head-to-head when two featured cast members from each show compete on the syndicated game show, Flip Side for its season 3 premiere.

Hosted by Jaleel White (best known as Steve Urkel from Family Matters) and filmed near Atlanta, Georgia, daytime drama fans should circle Monday, September 14th when you can catch: representing Team BTG, Colby Nixon (Kat Richardson) and RhonniRose Mantilla (Chelsea Hamilton), and Representing Team Y&R, Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) and Lily Winters (Christel Khalil).

In the upcoming soap opera showdown, the competing teams will win prize money for the charities of their choosing, when White tests both teams on how they think opposite groups of people feel about the same topic, and to see which team will make it to the final round.

Photo: CBS

Flip Side’s loglines shares that it’s “an original, laugh out-loud survey-based game show that pits two teams of contestants against each other, testing them on how they think opposite groups of people feel about the same topic. The teams compete for a shot at $10,000 by guessing the top answers based on anonymous surveys – which can be provocative, surprising, and often humorous. Throughout each episode, host Jaleel White brings a fun and comedic energy to the show while also guiding the contestants through the questions.”

Season three leans deeper into exploring relationships, dating, social behaviors and everyday life situations that viewers can relate to. Season three also features multiple celebrity episodes benefiting charity kicking off with the CBS soap showdown.

In addition to airing Monday to Friday in syndication on stations across the country, Flip Side has a second run on Game Show Network. So, check your local listings for times in your area, or catch Flip Side on GSN.

So, who do you think wins the soap opera showdown between BTG’s Colby and RhonniRose vs. Y&R’s Bryton and Christel? Make your picks in the comment section. But first, check out a bit of the action from the episode below.

 

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Beyond the Gates

CBS Announces Fall Preview and Season Premieres for ‘Beyond the Gates’ ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’

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2 days ago

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September 10, 2026

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CBS Fall Preview

CBS announced on Thursday, September 10, their fall storyline previews, season premiere dates and broadcast milestones for its daytime line-up which has held the top spot as the highest-rated network in daytime for 40 consecutive seasons.

The line-up includes daytime dramas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, plus gams shows, The Price is Right which continues to be the #1 show on daytime television and Let’s Make a Deal.

Coming up, B&B celebrates its 40th anniversary, Drew Carey marks 20 years as host of daytime’s The Price is Right, while Beyond the Gates will kick-off their 3rd season in December and Y&R continues its dominance at the number #1 daytime drama and the most nominated soap going into the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30.  Here’s what to look for this fall below!

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

CBS’ longest-running scripted series and 2026’s most Daytime Emmy Award-nominated series continues with its 54th season on Thursday, October. 8, and its 37th season as Daytime’s #1 drama on the broadcast television season.

Look for: Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) to stop at nothing to protect his family, taking decisive control of the situation with Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) while refusing to allow anything to threaten Nick’s (Joshua Morrow) sobriety. Victor presents Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) with an intriguing business opportunity that could serve as an ulterior motive to cause havoc for his nemesis, Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman). Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) finally scores a win, but her victory forces her to decide who she truly wants in her life.

In addition, Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Kyle (Michael Mealor) go to great lengths to keep their casual affair a secret. Stephanie (Vivica A. Fox) supports Nate (Sean Dominic) as he pursues a return to medicine. Lily (Christel Khalil) and Cane (Billy Flynn) mix business with pleasure when they team up to fight Billy’s (Jason Thompson) attempt to gain control of Chancellor Industries. With their wedding fast approaching, Billy has little time to give Sally (Courtney Hope) the support she needs, and the pressure is mounting.

In addition, Michael Fairman TV has learned stories and scripts under Y&R’s new co-head writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, begin to air on November 11.

Y&R is broadcast on weekdays on CBS (12:30-1:30 PM, ET/11:30 AM-12:30 PM, PT) and is available to stream on Paramount+**. The show is produced by Sony Pictures Television Presentation in association with Bell Dramatic Serial Co. and Corday Production, Inc. Sally McDonald is the executive producer. Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor are co-head writers.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

The most-watched daily drama in the world kicked off its landmark 40th season this past Tuesday, September 8 on CBS.

In story, a fierce battle between sisters Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Katie (Heather Tom) is underway, shaking up the Los Angeles fashion industry as Katie’s rising House of Logan takes on Brooke and the mighty Forrester Creations. For the first time ever, the Forresters must navigate mounting financial concerns while the younger generation – Electra (Laneya Grace) and R.J. (Brayan Nicoletti) – rally to help save the family legacy.

Meanwhile, Will (Crew Morrow) and Dylan (Sydney Bullock) grow closer, but the arrival of Dylan’s mother, Darcy (Kelly Sullivan), adds new complications to their relationship as Katie goes on the offensive to help protect her son. Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) must also grapple with the secret born from one unexpected night together, threatening to upend their respective marriages with Finn (Tanner Novlan) and Daphne (Murielle Hilaire).

With secrets, rivalries and family loyalties colliding, the drama builds toward a shocking twist in celebration of the series’ 40th anniversary in March 2027.

B&B is broadcast on weekdays on CBS (1:30-2:00 PM, ET/12:30-1:00 PM, PT) and is available to stream on Paramount+**. A Bell-Phillip Television production, Bradley Bell is the executive producer and head writer. Casey Kasprzyk also serves as executive producer.

BEYOND THE GATES

CBS’S newest daytime soap strides into fall packed with drama as the hit Daytime Emmy-nominated series continues its second season, with season three beginning Tuesday, December 29.

In story, the Duprees, their friends and foes will wade through a flood of fresh tests and triumphs. While some wrestle rivals old and new, others will fight for their livelihoods … and their lives. Anita (Tamara Tunie) hits a bump in the road on the way to The Articulette’s revival, while Vernon (Clifton Davis) takes charge when he gets news that dredges up the past. Dani (Karla Mosley) and Andre’s (Sean Freeman) marriage meets turbulence when mounting tensions with Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) and Hayley (Marquita Goings) pull Dani deeper into her ex’s life.

Elsewhere, Martin (Brandon Claybon) defends his family when Smitty (Mike Manning) is dealt a devastating public blow that puts Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) and Jacob (Jibre Hordges) on opposing sides. As some relationships are strained, others are heating up. Sabotage can’t get in the way of Ted (Keith D. Robinson) and Shanice’s (Ernestine Johnson) love as they take things to the next level.

Meanwhile, Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) is ready for more with Kial (Greg Vaughan). Madison (Kenjah) is a rock to Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) when she and Kat (Colby Muhammad) can’t escape scandal and Vanessa (Lauren Buglioli) and Joey’s (Jon Lindstrom) love life fuels the fire with her daughter Deanna (Angela Fairley). As tensions simmer behind closed doors, a greater threat looms that could flip the entire community on its head.

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+**. 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 PRICE IS RIGHT

Drew Carey will “Come on Down!” for his 20th season as the host of the ever-popular game show and the longest consecutively one in television history. The Emmy Award-winning series returns for its 55th season beginning Monday, September. 21.

This season, Wednesdays are getting even more exciting with “Wild Wheel Wednesday.” During the Showcase Showdown, contestants will have the chance to win not only over $100,000, but also a special prize chosen by Drew, making every spin of the Big Wheel even more thrilling. Themed episodes this season include Veteran’s Day, Halloween, Earth Day, Breast Cancer Awareness, Pet Adoption Week, Pride, Cinco De Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Week. Returning this season are announcer George Gray and fan-favorite models Rachel Reynolds, Manuela Arbeláez, Amber Lancaster, James O’Halloran, Devin Goda and Alexis Gaube.

The Price is Right is produced by Fremantle and broadcast on weekdays on CBS (11:00 AM-12:00 PM, ET/10:00-11:00 AM, PT)

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

Emmy Award-winning host Wayne Brady brings more deals, big prizes and surprises when the 18th season of the game show when it returns on Monday, September. 21.

The season premiere includes a brand-new game, “Cash Course,” a ball-rolling obstacle course where Traders line up green and gold balls on a custom-designed course for a guaranteed chance to win big cash, with the opportunity to take home a grand prize of $10,000 – but look out for the spinning duck, stone toad and the octopus!

This season also marks a major milestone with the show celebrating its 3,000th episode with Brady as host. The milestone will be commemorated with a special episode airing in January 2027. Returning this season are announcer Jonathan Mangum, model Tiffany Coyne and musician Cat Gray, who all bring their signature blend of improv comedy, music, iconic games and, of course, those infamous Zonks.

Let’s Make a Deal is produced by Fremantle and broadcast on weekdays on CBS (check local listings) 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, which CBS soap opera’s fall preview has you most intrigued? Happy to know that shortly Y&R will begin to air episodes from new head writers Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Conner? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Adds Denzell Dandridge and Khiry Walker as Shanice’s Brothers

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1 week ago

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September 5, 2026

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Denzell Dandridge and Khiry Walker

Shanice Johnson’s (Ernestine Morrison) brothers are coming to Fairmont Crest next week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates. Be on the lookout for Denzell Dandridge to make his debut as Lamont Johnson and Khiry Walker to debut n the role of Cedric Johnson on the Tuesday, September 8 episode.

In a video preview, Lamont and Cedric make quite a first impression on Dr. Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson), who are not so keen on the guy, who is dating their sister. Can Ted get Shanice’s siblings to have a change of heart about him? Stay tuned.

If Khiry Walker looks familiar, he has appeared in numerous television series, films and stage plays including Law & Order: Organized Crime and The Chair Company.  Denzell Dandridge has also appeared across film and television projects including: Street Code Broken, Coming of Age, itfactor and The Dirty D. Dandridge. In a fun fact, Denzell is actually the great-nephew of acclaimed and groundbreaking actress, Dorothy Dandridge.

In addition, Denzell Dandridge shared on his Instagram about his casting on the CBS soap opera, “All the long nights on set. Countless auditions. Thousands of No’s. But here it is… we finally got our YES.”

Since its inception, Beyond the Gates has focused on the stories of the Dupree and Richardson families, and now with the Johnson family coming into the picture, the series has a chance to expand more characters familial background and back-story to propel future storylines.

Beyond the Gates received 15 Daytime Emmy nominations at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday night, October 30. The soap opera made Daytime Emmy history by racking up the highest nomination tally for its first time in the competition.

Now below, check out a preview for next week on Beyond the Gates which gives you a first look at Denzell Dandridge and Khiry Walker as Shanice’s brother. Do you hope the writers delve into the siblings story, or do you think they will just be in town to support their sister? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

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