Beyond the Gates
DAYS James Reynolds Talks Time on ‘Generations’ and the Significance of ‘Beyond the Gates’
Days of our Lives longtime veteran, and Daytime Emmy winner, James Reynolds (Abe Carver), spoke on the importance of being a part of the first American soap opera to center around a Black family in the early 90s with Generations, to recently in 2025 with the launch of Beyond the Gates, the first American Black-led one-hour daytime drama during his guest visit on this week’s episode of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart.
Reynolds debuted as DAYS Abe Carver in 1981. Then in 1990, James left Salem to star as Henry Marshall on Generations replacing Taurean Blacque in the role. He remained with the soap until its was canceled in 1991. He explained to Rebecca and Greg, how he landed on Generations.
“NBC had asked me to screen test for a role, that I know they had a major star lined up for,” shared Reynolds. “But the test was good and I had a lot of fun with it. When they decided to replace the character, they asked me to do it. At that time, I just wasn’t being used on DAYS for much other than the coffee serving scenes. It was wonderful to make history in that way and to be part of this groundbreaking show, so being offered the chance to do that was just something I really couldn’t say no to.”

Photo: JPI
BEYOND THE GATES MAKING STRIDES
Now, CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates is soap opera’s buzziest show, and currently in its second season having debuted back on February 24, 2025. Reynolds, having the experience from Generations, had this to say about the newest network soap, “I feel great about it. I think it’s done several things. For one thing, it’s nice to have that exposure again for a black upper-middle class family to show what black middle class is like. Too often, we don’t see the black middle class, and those that do those films or TV shows that do tend to kind of go back and forth from one experience to the other.”
James had high praise for his colleagues in front of the camera and behind the scenes in Fairmont Crest. “You see from Beyond the Gates, and so many things, how your blackness is important to your existence no matter what. If you’re a billionaire or wherever you fall on that economic scale, that is the essence of your existence in this country,” expressed Reynolds. “I think Beyond the Gates shows that in a most entertaining way and a lovely way. I also feel its brought renewed attention to daytime drama and they’re very good about keeping the show alive and publicized and I think that’s very important, and they have a very pretty cast.”
In addition, the legendary Days of our Lives star spoke candidly about pressures facing minorities in the entertainment industry, while offering perspective on how to navigate racial injustices, inequality, and inequity with grace,
Fans can listen to episodes of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available, and can watch full video episodes weekly on the CBS Brand YouTube Channel.
So, what do you think of James Reynolds impressions of ‘Beyond the Gates’? Do you remember the DAYS Daytime Emmy winner’s time on ‘Generations’? Share your thoughts via the comment section. You can check out James’ visit to Soapy below.
He spoke quite honestly and not a single lie was told. He is right about what Beyond the Gates has done and is continuing to do in the industry!
Generations was SUCH a good show. One of my top 5 tv shows ever. As a teenager, I was heartbroken by its cancellation. Watched it every day after school along with Days and Guidng Light.
BTG is my newest addiction. I truly love that show!
Beyond the Gates is my can’t miss!
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners Walk (Photos)

The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards are in the record books, and after the winners names were announced many of your favorite soap stars took their new gold statuette and then posed for photos at the Winners Walk.
For the first time in her career, Tamara Tunie won a Daytime Emmy, and for her leading role as Anita Dupree Williams, the matriarch of the Dupree family on CBS’ Beyond the Gates.
Tunie became the second actress in history to win for the newest soap in the competition, after Ambyr Michelle won earlier in the evening and became the first performer in the series history to win gold. Michelle won in the Outstanding Emerging Talent category.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
EMOTIONS RAN HIGH
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series went to The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton, who won his fourth Emmy overall and second in Lead for his touching performances as Liam Spencer during Liam’s medical crisis storyline for an inoperable brain tumor, which turned out to be a ruse.
During his acceptance speech, Clifton shared, “This means so much to me, not the thing, the attaboy from my peers. I can think of few things that bring me more joy than that.”
Speaking on his fellow nominees which included the likes of Y&R’s Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) and GH’s Steve Burton, (Jason Morgan) Clifton said, “I am in awe of all of you, and you’ve taught me so much. It was a really hard year, and you made me invincible. You are my existential oxygen tank. And I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you, and I am grateful to you.
DECADES BETWEEN
In the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress categories, two longtime names synonymous with daytime drama, Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, Y&R) and Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, Y&R) won their second Emmys in their career. Roger 32 years after his last Emmy playing Todd Manning on One Life to Live in 1994, and Beth Maitland for winning 41 years after becoming Y&R’s first performer to win Emmy gold back in 1985.
General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini and his producing team took home the gold for the sixth year in a row for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series for the ABC soap. He later shared a moment with Scott Clifton, who started his daytime career as Dillon Quartermaine on GH.
During the ceremonies, the iconic Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) was presented with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband actor and director, Jonathan Frakes. After Francis received the award she posed for some snaps for the photographers in attendance.
Take a look at the photos below:

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Beyond the Gates‘ Ambyr Michelle with the well-deserved gold!

Photo: Hutchins Photo
Y&R’s Beth Maitland winning 41 years after her first Supporting Actress victory for the moral center of the Abbott family, Traci Abbott.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Genie Francis proud of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions and performances as Laura on GH.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Mandi Line, the costume designer for The Young and the Restless, took home the gold in the costume category.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini, sharing a backstage moment with former GH star and now four-time Daytime Emmy winner from The Bold and the Beautiful‘s Scott Clifton.
So, who were you thrilled to see win a Daytime Emmy from those who appeared in the Winners Walk after their big wins last night at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors

The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards have just concluded on Friday night, October 30, and it was ABC’s General Hospital who took home the top prize for Outstanding Drama Series for the sixth time in row. Executive Producer, Frank Valentini accepted the award on behalf of the show.
Beyond the Gates scored its first two acting honors in the young history of the show. Veteran actress, Tamara Tunie won her first ever Emmy for Lead Actress a Daytime Drama Series for her performances as Anita Dupree, while Ambyr Michelle took home the gold in the Emerging Talent category.
Scott Clifton won his fourth Daytime Emmy overall, and second Lead Actor Emmy for his heart-tugging performance as Liam Spencer, who believed he was battling an inoperable brain tumor, only for it to turn out to be medical ruse to bilk Liam’s father out of $1 million dollars.

Courtesy/NATASYouTube
DECADES BETWEEN BETH MAITLAND AND ROGER HOWARTH LAST EMMY WIN
In the Supporting Actor and Actress categories, Daytime Emmy history was made with Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, The Young and the Restless) winning her second Emmy 41 years since she won her first won, and Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, The Young and the Restless) following suit for the men with his coming 32 years after he won in 1994 for One Life to Live.

Courtesy/NATASYouTube
Jeff Kober picked up his second Daytime Emmy win for his role as Cyrus Renault on General Hospital in the Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series category. He previously won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role in 2022, following a nomination in the same category in 2021.
The Kelly Clarkson Show, meanwhile, won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series it its final year, while Sherri Shepherd won for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host after finding out her talker had been canceled after four seasons.

Photo: NATAS/YouTube
THINK OF LAURA
General Hospital star Genie Francis (Laura) received the Lifetime Achievement Award and shared from the stage, “I know 50 years sounds like an awfully long time, but it doesn’t feel like that to me,” she said. “As they say, if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”
Overall, General Hospital, Beyond the Gates and The Kelly Clarkson Show received the most gold statuettes for the night with four wins apiece.
Here’s a look at the honor roll for tonight’s big winners below:
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
General Hospital
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree, Beyond the Gates)
Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer, The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, The Young and the Restless)
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, The Young and the Restless)
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas, Beyond the Gates)
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
General Hospital
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jeff Kober (Cyrus Renault, General Hospital)
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing in a Daytime Drama Series
Days of our Lives
Outstanding Talk Series
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Outstanding Talk Series Host
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Costume Design/Styling for a Daytime Program
The Young and the Restless (Episode 13273)
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, The Kelly Clarkson Show
So, who were you happy to see win a Daytime Emmy on tonight’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Do you think the right show and actors took home the gold? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section. In case you missed it, you can watch the replay of tonight’s livestream of the Daytime Emmy ceremony below.
Beyond the Gates
Who Should Win Outstanding Daytime Drama at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)

Tonight at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, the top prize is Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. This year four soaps are in the running, will the best show take home the gold? Now it’s your turn to let us know your pick!
Going into the night’s festivities, The Young and the Restless leads all nominations this year with 18. Meanwhile, the upstart Beyond the Gates, in its first Daytime Emmy appearance in its history received a record 15 nominations for a first time entry into the Emmy competition.
Then, there is General Hospital who could win its sixth Daytime Emmy in a row for Outstanding Daytime Drama series and its 19th overall. Will they continue the streak?
Meanwhile, Days of our Lives looks to prove just because they are on Peacock and not on network television that they continue to be relevant, especially in a year where we learned Ryan Gosling and John Oliver where big fans of the show.
To watch the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards live, you can catch it on the NATAS/Emmy official You Tube channel here beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
Now it’s your turn! Take the Michael Fairman TV poll below and then let us know in the comment section, which show you are rooting for tonight to take home the gold statuette?
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