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DAYS James Reynolds Talks Time on ‘Generations’ and the Significance of ‘Beyond the Gates’

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: CBS and NBC

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.

 

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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

CBS Daytime Preemption Schedule for UEFA Champions League Games: What This Means for ‘Beyond the Gates,’ B&B and Y&R

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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.

 

 

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Beyond the Gates

Ashley Jones Joins the Cast of Beyond the Gates

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Ashley Jones is the newest addition of CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates.  The veteran soap actress has posted some teasey Instagran stories revealing the intel; especially her latest wearing a Beyond the Gates emblazoned robe while in her dressing room.

As to who Jones is playing that is still hush-hush. Ashley follows other former daytime notables to Fairmont Crest which have included Greg Vaughan (ex-DAYS, Y&R, GH) and Jordi Vilasuso (ex-Y&R, AMC, DAYS and GL).

A spokesperson for Beyond the Gates confirmed the news to Soap Opera Digest expressing, “We can confirm Ashley Jones will be appearing in Beyond the Gates.” It should be noted: Beyond the Gates does tape four months ahead of air.

Soap fans first met Ashley when she played Megan Dennison on The Young and the Restless (1997-2000). She then went on to The Bold and the Beautiful to play Bridget Forrester in her initial run from 2004-2010 and since then making recurring appearances throughout the next 15 years. In addition, Jones appeared on General Hospital in the role of Parker Forsyth from 2016-17.

Earlier this week, Beyond the Gates was renewed for two more consecutive seasons its 3 and 4th by CBS, giving the youngest soap on the air, a big confidence boost. The series debuted back on February 24, 2025 as the first hour-long Black-led soap opera, and which tapes in Atlanta, Georgia instead of Los Angeles, California.

Who do you think Ashley Jones will play on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts below.

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CBS Renews ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Seasons 3 and 4

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Congratulations are in order for daytime’s newest drama series, Beyond the Gates. Today on April 15, the soap opera was officially renewed by CBS for two more seasons, its 3 and 4th.

The network revealed the renewal pick-up at a press briefing led by CBS Entertainment President, Amy Reisenbach. That show of faith takes the soap through the 2027-2028 television and streaming season, while the soap currently continues to air its second season.

Beyond the Gates creator, head writer and executive producer, Michele Val Jean took to X following the news of the pick-up and expressed her gratitude, sharing, “So this happened. Thank you to everyone involved, from the network to the crew, for the support, belief, hard work and dedication everyone has poured into this show. Beyond grateful.”

Photo: CBS

While Deadline was the first to break the news of the young soap opera’s latest accomplishment, Val Jean clarified that Tracey Thomson who is listed at the bottom of the article as one of the series executive producers along with Sheila Ducksworth, Julie Carruthers, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Anna Saalfeld and Lela Coffey, is more than that.

Val Jean explained Thomson’s full involvement with Beyond the Gates, noting, “A credit egregiously missing on this article is Tracey Thomson’s. She’s been by my side cranking out these shows since episode 150. We just did 400. She’s my partner, my co-head writer and an executive producer and she deserves all the credit.”

Beyond the Gates is set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, DC, in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States; a posh gated community with winding tree-lined streets and luxurious mansions to call home. At the center of this community are the Duprees, a powerful and prestigious multi-generational family that is the very definition of Black royalty. But behind these pristine walls and lush, manicured gardens are juicy secrets and scandals waiting to be uncovered. And those who live outside these gates are watching closely. These are the places where our characters live, love, work and play. Those who have “made it” and those who haven’t are all trying to navigate life … and some with more grace than others.

The cast is led by the Duprees played by Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis, Karla Mosley, and Daphnee Duplaix along with Brandon Claybon, Mike Manning, Trisha Mann-Grant, Ambyr Michelle, Colby Nixon, Arielle Prepetit, Sean Freeman, Timon Kyle Durrett, RhonniRose Mantilla, Keith D. Robinson. Jon Lindstrom, and more round out the cast.

So, excited to hear Beyond the Gates is keeping on keepin’ on with two more seasons coming your way after the completion of its current season? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out our recent conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel with series stars Tamara Tunie, Sean Freeman, Clifton Davis and EP Sheila Ducksworth via the comment section below .

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CBS unveils Beyond the Gates season 2 promo and Jordi Vilasuso joins the cast. Leave A Comment

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