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How Diana Ross Inspired the Creation of ‘Beyond the Gates’ Matriarch Anita Dupree

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS and JPI

When CBS premiered Beyond the Gates on Monday, it marked the launch of the first new daytime drama in over 25 years on network television. With its third episode about to air today, viewers have already been introduced to the core family of the show, The Duprees.

In this groundbreaking drama, The Duprees are an affluent Black family living in a gated community called Fairmont Crest in the Maryland/D.C. area. The series features a multicultural cast, but spotlights Black excellence.

Series creator, head writer, executive producer and showrunner, Michele Val Jean crafted the characters of series with a focus on the central family, which the entire story springs. The matriarch, Anita Dupree, is played by former As the World Turns favorite, Tamara Tunie, who played Jessica Griffin on the defunct CBS soap opera on and off from 1987-2009. Tunie also starred as Dr. Melinda Warner on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit from 2000-2021.

Photo: CBS

When Beyond the Gates debuted, viewers learned that Anita Dupree is an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winner, and the former lead singer of a girl group, the Articulettes, who went on to become a jazz singer, She is mother of two daughters, Dani (Karla Mosley) and Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), with her husband former Senator and civil rights activist, Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis).

As it turns out, the former lead singer of the Supremes and music icon, Diana Ross was the inspiration for the character of Anita Dupree. Val Jean explained to Variety, “I wanted interesting characters that we had never seen before — and I wanted it to be a multi-generational family — so I thought, who would be interesting?”’ That’s when Michele got the idea and how to map out the Dupree family, adding, “What if the matriarch of its family had been Diana Ross?’ She had been the lead singer for a famous girl group back in the day, who went on to have a solo career and an acting career.”  

Photo: CBS

Tamara Tunie also revealed to TV Line, that there will be singing on Beyond the Gates, and that “Yes,” she will be singing, too! Tunie added, “I’ll just say it. I’ll put it out there — you’re the first to know! It’s going to be good.”

In addition, it was recently revealed by Tunie at last week’s Paley Center for Media Center New York BTG panel, that Michele Val Jean actually sang in a group called the Articulettes. As Tunie tells it, Val Jean, “definitely pulls from her own experience” when crafting Anita’s past.

So, what do you think of Diana Ross inspiring the creation of ‘Beyond the Gates’ Anita Dupree? Are you looking forward to singing on the newest daytime drama? Comment below.

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You can tell how thought-out Michele Val Jean was in creating these characters, and it is my hope that future characters have the same creation. Loving the influences of the real world pop up, too.

That is a big apple out of the bag! Miss Ross… are you watching?

A character could do worse than being inspired by the one and only Diana Ross.

Good luck Anita.

Finally someone has gotten it right. Tyler Perry and others have tried but only succeeded in cartoon portrayals of the Black elite. I especially love the chemistry between Dani and Bill. I’d like to see a flashback of how Hayley came between them, a one night stand of love with Bill and Dani. And I ‘d like to see the Articulettes sing Never can say Goodbye, one of my favorite songs which Clifton Davis wrote. Keep up the superb writing and acting. I am hooked.

this is an excellent show I record it so i can watch it when i get a chance that is every other day.

Beyond the Gates

Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?

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Kandi Burress, Tabitha Brown, Karla Mosley

As previously announced, Beyond the Gates is bringing chef, author and actress Tabitha Brown and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and actress Kandi Burruss to Fairmont Crest in a special episode of the CBS daytime drama airing Thursday, October 22.

In the episode, Dani’s (Karla Mosley) best friend Pamela Curtis (Cady McClain), arranges a “Welcome to Your Life” television special for her. As it turns out, Brown will play the show’s host, Tia Allen, while Burruss takes on the role of Dani’s first modeling agent, Kalista Kilroy, who turns the celebration of her life into a bad trip down memory lane.

Dani’s parents Anita and Vernon (Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis), sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), and daughters Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) all join the show to celebrate and support her but also witness how things so south. Also appearing in the episode are Molly Figueroa as Tatum Stewart and fan-favorite Anita Williams (Tunie) impersonator Jackie Tyree!

Beyond the Gates

PhotoL JPI

THE 411 ON TIA AND KALISTA

Speaking with TV Insider, about their soapy experience in Fairmont Crest, Tabitha Brown previewed about her host with the most, “Tia is very professional, but she’s a girl’s girl. She is a protector of women and wants to tell their stories in a beautiful way, but she also wants to make sure they’re seen in a very good light.”

However, Burruss previews that Kalista arrives with a score to settle. “She’s spicy,” shared the recording artist. “I always love playing somebody that has come to start trouble. It’s always fun to play a villain of sorts, but Kalista feels like she’s been done wrong and she’s hurt by what she feels has been done to her. So Kalista is stirring up trouble, but she feels justified putting Dani on blast. Kalista is ready for some payback.”

Beyond the Gates 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.

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+**.

So, looking forward to this special episode of Beyond the Gates when Dani is put on a blast during a blast from her past and Welcome to Your Life TV special? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ and Daytime Emmy Nominee Mike Manning to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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While Bradley “Smitty: Smith finds himself currently in a whole heap of trouble on Beyond the Gates, his portrayer Mike Manning is getting set for the upcoming 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards where he finds himself nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

A previous two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Manning will visit You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat on Wednesday, October 21 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

This year, Beyond the Gates broke records becoming a 15-time Daytime Emmy nominated seres, a first in Daytime Emmy history for a new show entering the competition for the first time. Manning will discuss being part of the groundbreaking soap.

Smitty

Photo: CBS

MIKE MANNING’S UPCOMING PROJECTS

While Manning has his series regular role on Beyond the Gates he is also involved in a myriad of other projects including: his role opposite Nicolas Cage in the film, Madden and the upcoming Anthony Hopkins starring motion picture, Eyes in the Tree, which Manning is featured and also produced.

LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY

Mike first gained nation attention back on MTV’s The Real World D.C., now almost 17 years ago, when he came out on the reality series, which served as an example of early LGBTQ+ representation, leading to thousands of letters from viewers who felt connected to, or felt represented by his journey. Through his advocacy, Manning has served as a youth ambassador for Boo2Bullying and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, anti-bullying, and environmental protection.

Daytime fans first met Manning as uber-bad guy Charlie Dale on Days of our Lives (2020-2o22) and later for his Emmy-winning role as Caleb McKinnon on The Bay.

This week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, viewers will see the pick-up after Smitty has been framed for the murder of Dr. Lia Whitmore, after being in possession of incriminating pills linked to her death, that were seemingly planted at his home. 

If you have a question for Mike, but cannot be with us in the live chat, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on the broadcast.

So, how do you think Smitty will get out of the charges against him? Rooting for Mike at the Daytime Emmys? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Marquita Goings to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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Marquita Goings

After her star turn in recent episodes of Beyond the Gates, soap opera’s latest vixen Hayley Lawson Hamilton played by Marquita Goings has grabbed viewers attention just waiting to see what stunt she’ll pull next!

Now, Marquita Goings will visit the Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat on Thursday, October 22 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT and you can join us with your questions!

Previously in story, Hayley has racked up some pretty despicable acts and crimes thus far which have included, trying to poison and kill Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) for his life insurance in order to cash in and hightail it out of Fairmont Crest with the moolah.

Photo: CBS

Then, let’s not forget using the recordings she obtained to blackmail everyone with the the secret that Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) have been trying to keep under wraps about the hate crime years ago, which saw Martin kill one man, while another later died, in an effort to save his grandfather.

NEXT WEEK ON BEYOND THE GATES

Now, the week of October 19-23 previews that it appears that Hayley may be pregnant (take a look at the video preview below) with Bill’s child when she gets a little queasy, after she went to see her partner in crime, Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) to get a fresh ID to skip out of town and away from the DMV.

In fact, on the Tuesday, October 20 episode, official BTG spoilers indicate, Vernon assures Dani (Karla Mosley) that he’s got things handled, while Hayley’s ready for her next act, while on the Friday, October 23 episode, Leslie (Trisha Mann-Grant) has devastating words for Hayley and Bill’s got another thing coming.

If you have a question for Marquita but cannot join us for the live broadcast, drop it in the comment section and we just might ask it during the chat.

Now let us know, do you think Hayley will be pregnant? How will she continue to evade any prison time? What has been your favorite scene of Marquita Goings on Beyond the Gates thus far? Comment below.

 

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