Excitement continues to build for the launch of the first new network soap opera in 25 years, as The Gates gets set for its January 2025 debut. As previously announced, longtime soap opera writer, Michele Van Jean created the series and will server as writer, showrunner, and as one of the EP’s of the new CBS soap.

While speculation runs high as to who is joining Michele’s team behind the scenes and who will be in the cast, on Saturday, she shared a message on x with an update expressing “The train is in the station, people are boarding and taking seats! #ittakesavillagetobuildaworld #excited #TheGates“

That post certainly piqued soap opera fans minds, all waiting to hear who could be in the cast? Will it be actors from the world of soaps previously? Will a previous TV and film star be featured as one of the leads? What we do now is The Gates is centered around a wealthy Black family who lives in a luxurious gated community.

Photo: CBS

One fan commented to Val Jean: “In addition to all of the great Black daytime vets (Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Victoria Rowell, etc.), I *really* hope you pick up both Micheal Easton & Trevor St. John. I’d love to see them on The Gates!”

Behind the scenes Val Jean is joined by Sheila Ducksworth, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson and Kimberly Doebereiner who also serve as executive producers. The Gates was developed through a joint venture between CBS Studios and the NAACP. The series will be produced by CBS Studios/NAACP venture in partnership with P&G Studios, which is a division of Procter & Gamble.

As for Val Jean, she is well-known for her work as a writer for both The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital and she has won multiple Daytime Emmy and WGA Awards.

So, who would you love to see cast in ‘The Gates]? Not much is known publicly about the characters within the upcoming new soap, but serve as our armchair casting quarterback in the comment section below and let us know which actors you would love to see it it.

We all know that The Young and the Restless’ Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) has had his share of the ladies in Genoa City over his three decades on the canvas as played by Joshua Morrow. The actor just celebrated on June 21st, his 30th anniversary with the show as iconic Y&R couple, Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki’s (Melody Thomas Scott) son.

This week, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless announced yet another crossover story between the two sister soaps, when it was revealed that Michael Damian and Lauralee Bell were taping scenes for episodes that will air in August on B&B when Danny and Christine visit Los Angeles and the ‘Brooke’s Bedroom’ line relaunch soiree.

When speaking with Soaps.com, Morrow teased one of the things he would still like the opportunity to do during his soap-run and involving who. Joshua suggested, “What I want to do is have a triangle that involves a cross-show couple. That would be pretty awesome if we connected the two shows with a pairing that was messy and in a triangle.”

Photo: JPI

Next, when prompted who would be the lady at The Bold and the Beautiful he could see Nick hanging out with, it was a no-brainer for him,  Morrow revealed, “Obviously, my choice for that would be Jacqueline MacInnes Wood. She’s a very beautiful woman and obviously very, very talented. What man wouldn’t want to work with her? So that’s the storyline that I want to tell.”

Since Morrow suggested it would be a triangle involving a woman from Genoa City and Steffy from B&B, the question would be, who would also be the woman in the triangle from Y&R? Food for thought!

Photo: JPI

Currently on Y&R, Nick is single, and on B&B, it’s extremely obvious that soon Hope (Annika Noelle) and Steffy’s husband Finn (Tanner Novlan), will hit the sheets, unless Steffy hits the sheets with her ex, Liam (Scott Clifton), first, or both will happen in subsequent order.

Now let us know, what would you think of a Nick and Steffy romance storyline over two shows? If Nick was involved in a romantic triangle involving Steffy, which woman on the Y&R canvas, should be the other woman? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after General Hospital viewers watched the Thursday June 27th episode. In it, Finn (Michael Easton) comes to say goodbye to his daughter Violet (Jophielle Love), who is now in the temporary custody of his brother Chase (Josh Swickard), before he heads out to rehab.

The episode also would be Michael Easton’s last with the ABC soap opera as Finn was written-off the canvas. Fans of the soap, watched the heartbreaking Finn and Violet scenes, and following its airing, both Love and Easton shared touching posts on their Instagram accounts accompanied by photos.

Easton shared, “This is the hardest goodbye of all for me. The first picture was taken right after Violet and Finn’s last goodbye. After they said cut, Jophielle Love and I immediately found each other and we hung on like we didn’t want it to end. The last video was taken between scenes on the very first day we met and I remember it like yesterday. Jophielle you are pure magic and you are going to do amazing things in this life. Go forward with rainbows in your heart and know that I will never forget you.”

Photo: MEastonIG

Love (through the writing by her mom) shared: “How do I say good bye ? Michael and Jophielle have been working together on General Hospital for 5 years now ! Over 100 episodes… Today’s scenes were an absolute heartbreak . Jophielle doesn’t lose sight of the possibility of her parents coming back into her GH life … This scene was way too familiar from one she experienced on her first few months on set as her tv mother went through what felt like the same door … saying good bye … and never returning to this day! Poor Violet lost everyone… Jophielle was genuinely very sad … Her chemistry with Michael on set was amazing from day one , as she always insisted to fix his hair before each take as a five years old. Now she is 10 … and … tears were pouring down. It was a very very hard day on set and everyone was tearing up … She managed to get through it all like a pro , …. It was … very emotional and also amazing. Like a grown up scene.”

Photo JLoveIG

In a personal note from Love’s mother it read, “Michael … I speak as a mom today who has been there on set every step of the way , being so thankful for you and for Rebecca Budig’s incredible love and instant connection with Jophielle. There is something to be said about tv families… and even more on a show like General Hospital, where these families have such a real bound as they are part of a long lasting legacy … Like Jophielle does … I really hope you get to come back …. Never say never … we love you Michael and we thank you for everything. See you soon 😘”

Photo: ABC

What did you think of the touching posts and sentiments from Michael and Jophielle and her mom? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but in case you missed it, grab the hankies and watch the emotional goodbye between Finn and Violet below.

 

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