Beyond the Gates
Greg Vaughan Talks on His ‘Beyond the Gates’ Debut and the 411 on the New Character He Plays (Exclusive)
Beyond the Gates will finally unveil their newest cast member and character on the upcoming Monday, December 8 episode of the CBS daytime drama series, when Daytime Emmy winner, and soap opera favorite, Greg Vaughan makes his highly-anticipated debut!
For months (since BTG tapes several months ahead of air), series executive producers Michele Val Jean and Sheila Ducksworth previously teased that a “hot male” would be coming to the show, and it is indeed Vaughan who they were talking about. Val Jean at that time added, “I think the soap opera world will be very, very happy about (the casting).”
When he hits your screens, Vaughan will portray the role of “Kial Rollins,” a widower, a father to grown children, and an orthopedic surgeon. The official description for Kial (which is pronounced like Kyle) shares he is “athletic, personable, and spontaneous.”

Photo: CBS
In Kial’s backstory, following the death of his wife a few years ago, Kial became a traveling physician, allowing him to explore the country, experience different cultures, and meet interesting people. Kial has romanced women, but hasn’t met the one who could get him to settle down again, However, could a blind date change his mind? It appears the doctor is willing to test the waters. Rumors have been swirling that Kial will hit it off with Nicole played by Daphnee Duplaix.
Greg Vaughan is best known for his previous daytime roles as Eric Brady on Days of our Lives (on and off from 2012-2025), Diego Guiterrez on The Young and the Restless (2002-2003), and Lucky Spencer on General Hospital (2003-2009), plus primetime roles as Dan Gordon on Charmed, Cliff Yeager on 90210, and more recently, Calvin on Queen Sugar. Vaughan took home the Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2018 for his performance on DAYS.
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Greg to get some insights on his decision to come to Beyond the Gates and to learn more of what fans can expect when his latest on-screen incarnation hits our soap screens come Monday!
THE LOWDOWN ON DR. KIAL ROLLINS
When Greg Vaughan premieres on Beyond the Gates, his brand new character may be the good guy hunk you’d expect from the actor’s previous roles, but with a twist! Is Dr. Rollins a playa with the ladies?
Vaughan teased, “He’s a mixture of both. I know that everybody wants a certain version, or their expectation, of what I think they would believe I am, or what I used to be like, maybe when I was in my twenties. (laughs). I am playing a doctor. So, I’m intellectual. I have money and I have an occupation. I have medical jargon to say! God love, Michele. This is my biggest fear in everything and I avoided it my whole life and career.”
HOW GREG ARRIVED AT FAIRMONT CREST
After mostly appearing on Days of our Lives over the last 13 years on and off as a recast Eric Brady, Vaughan shared that he didn’t have to audition to play Dr. Kial Rollins and that in fact, BTG’s creator, EP and head writer, Michele Val Jean sought him out!
“Michele called me and said she had a role that she really wanted to write, and she said she’d only write it if I took the role,” explained the popular soap vet. “So, I paused. I had to think about it. I was like, ‘So what’s the character?’ She grabbed me by the wrist through her phone and behind my back said, ‘Greg Vaughan, you’re taking this role because I want you to do it’. And I said, ‘OK!’ There was not a “no” in our vocabulary. She wouldn’t accept anything less than a ‘yes.’ I was grateful and humbled at the same time that of all the talent she knows in her Rolodex, she called and offered me a role.”

Photo: CBS
Vaughan also had full support of CBS, and all of the producer and writers at Beyond the Gates, who couldn’t wait for him to start taping his new journey at the soaps’s Assembly Studios in Atlanta. “Everyone connected with the show gave me the green light to do it. So I was like, ‘I’m not going to disappoint them or you and I would be honored.’ I remember telling Michele that this role will be really challenging.” shared Vaughan. “Michele said, ‘Just be you! You could do whatever you want to do. because it’s not a recast. You’re going into this with a clean slate.’ I”m really leaning into what this guy is all about and I’m discovering things about myself that I haven’t been able to do. I remind myself: ‘Don’t be Eric. Don’t be Lucky. Just be you.”
Coming to Beyond the Gates, Greg recognized some familiar faces. “I knew Julie Caruthers (executive producer) and I knew Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, GH and Joey, BTG), from their days at Port Charles being a former sister show to General Hospital. I also got to get reacquainted with some of my former cast members from Queen Sugar who are also there. So far, I have mixed it up with everybody. I’ve got to go over to the Fairmont Crest Country Club and make nice and rub some elbows. So as a traveling surgeon, Kial has been to a lot of medical conventions and he’s made a friend who has become of interest in his life and, you know, trying to get him to come into the environment.”
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
The landscape in the world of soap operas is very different these days. Actors may be part of two shows, as has been the case up until now of Jon Lindstrom, who this week has been seen back at General Hospital for a series of episodes as Kevin Collins, but who is now mostly appearing as Joey Armstrong on Beyond the Gates. Vaughan spoke to his current situation with Beyond the Gates, and if a return to Days of our Lives might also be in the cards, given both shows tape months ahead of air/streaming.
“I’m not a contract player (at Beyond the Gates),” explained Vaughan. “Michele and I are navigating our way through this until something comes about, which is so nice. I have no fear. I’m just creating. And then, if they see something magical and they said, ‘Hey, we need to get you on board longer,’ then it’s something to have a conversation about. If they offered me a contract, I would take it because it’s been such a reward for me to be here. I feel such a hunger and excitement and creativity that I haven’t felt in a long time.”

Photo: JPI
As to a return to Salem, never say never, “I can’t see why not. There’s never been a conversation where they have a closed door on me,” expressed Greg. “DAYS can do whatever they plan to do. I’m happy that all my friends are still there that wish me well, and they have success ahead. They brought in some new fresh life ( and it’s going be great for them. I’m glad everybody’s still got a job.”
As for Monday’s December 8 episode, where everyone should tune in to see Greg’s debut on Beyond the Gates, all the Emmy-winning star would say is, “It’s going to be magical. Get your popcorn!”
So, excited to see Greg’s imminent debut on Beyond the Gates as Dr. Kial Rollins? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first check out the video version of our interview with Greg now on the Michael Fairman Channel, where Michael was stationed outside an LA courthouse conducting the conversation while he was called to jury duty!
See what TALENT can do when your reputation proceeds!
Congratulations Greg Vaughan on your NEW! FRESH! role and your continued SUCCESS!
I love Greg Vaughan. Beyond the Gates did not grab me; but, I’ll have to tune in Monday to see him. I’d love to see him paired with Daphnee Duplaix. I really like her work too. She was very good as Rachel on One Life to Live.
I am so excited to see Greg Vaughan in this outstanding soap opera, and I do hope he is offered a contract, because he is deserving of it. His positivity about this soap is refreshing, as is his honesty concerning the others he’s been on. So happy he, much like Cady McClain, is being given an original role of his own and not a recast.
Beyond the Gates
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Dani Tries to Deal with Her Guilt Over Betraying Andre; Who Will be the Donor Match for Eva?
After the tornado ripped through Fairmont Crest last week, as all-new episodes begin on the Monday June 15th episode of Beyond the Gates, lives are on the line, and guilt is the order of the day.
First, Eva (Ambyr Michelle) has been rushed to Garland Memorial Hospital, and from CBS promo for this week’s Beyond the Gates, Ted (Keith D. Robinson) is sick with worry about his daughter, and goes to his other daughter Kat (Colby Nixon) to consider to be tested to see if she can be a donor match for her sister, but she seems to be refusing. Will she change her mind? And, what will viewers learned happen to Eva? Her boyfriend, Isaiah Hawthorne (Lami) is shown in tears!
Meanwhile, Martin (Brandon Claybon) lies unconscious back at Fairmont Crest after collapsing when he was on his way home with Smitty (Mike Manning). Will he be OK, or also rushed to the hospital? If so, will he need surgery or be the match Eva needs?

Courtesy/CBS
Elsewhere, both Dani (Karla Mosley) and Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) are with their spouses reflecting on being stuck with each other in an elevator, which ultimately led to them having sex! Andre (Sean Freeman) is continuing to profess how deeply he loves Dani, and the thought of anything happening to her he says would destroy him.
However, Hayley (Marquita Goings) is questioning Bill about his whereabouts when viewers know she was making out with Genoa City’s Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) in a closet! So both husband and wife, have been cheating’ behind each other’s backs!
SPOILERS
Take a look at the official Beyond the Gates spoilers for the week of June 15-19 below.
Monday, June 15
In the wake of the tornado, Shanice, Ashley and Jacob rush into action when someone collapses. Meanwhile, emergency surgery is required to save a life. Nicole’s update worries Samantha and Tyrell. Vanessa is frantic when she can’t get in touch with Donnell or Deanna.
Tuesday, June 16
Dani battles a guilty conscience. Joey’s sister pays him a visit. Ted reassures Kat while the Richardson-Smiths receive devastating news. The tornado displaces Bill and Hayley.
Wednesday, June 17
Kat rages at Izaiah. Shanice offers Leslie an olive branch. Kial is there for Nicole while Jan comforts Ashley. Ted begs his daughter to do something for him.
Thursday, June 18
Time is running out for someone in critical condition. Dani confronts Bill. Chelsea is a sounding board for her cousin. Carlton tips Nicole off to an urgent matter. Andre offers Izaiah support.
Friday, June 19
Anita advises her granddaughter. Andre and Bill lock horns. Kat receives life-altering information. Leslie’s good news quickly gets snatched away. The Hawthornes come together for one of their own. Hayley and Naomi find common ground.
Check out the drama coming up on Beyond the Gates in the video teaser below
Now let us know, do you think Dani and Bill will begin a secret affair, or realize they should be together, or will they go back to their current spouses? Who do you think will be the donor match for Eva? Isaiah? Martin? Kat? Someone else? Make your picks via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Brandon Claybon Talks Inclusion, The Crossover, While the Fate of Martin Richardson Hangs in the Balance
On Friday’s June 12 episode of Beyond the Gates, after it appeared Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) survived being trapped under a tree after a tornado ripped through Fairmont Crest, viewers were left with a frightening cliffhanger when Martin got up and tries to walk, but only took two steps before he collapsed right in front of his husband, Smitty (Mike Manning)!
Previously, Martin had directed Shonda to use all the money donated from his campaign fundraiser for tornado relief efforts. Nicole (Daphnée Duplaix), Ted (Keith D. Robinson) and Smitty advised Martin that he needed to go to the hospital to get check out for any internal injuries or brain trauma. However, when Martin found out his sister Kat (Colby Nixon) was missing he began to panic. Martin says he just wants to go home and get some rest, even as his husband told him he should get checked out. Now, viewers will need to wait till the Monday, June 15 episode to see the upshot.
Official Beyond the Gates spoilers for June 15 share, “In the wake of the tornado, Shanice, Ashley and Jacob rush into action when someone collapses. Meanwhile, emergency surgery is required to save a life. Nicole’s update worries Samantha and Tyrell.” But is the surgery for Eva (Ambyr Michelle) who was rushed to the hospital or Martin?

Courtesy/CBS
MEETING THEE VICTOR NEWMAN
With such a pivotal week of story, Michael Fairman TV caught up with Brandon Claybon earlier this week during a roundtable press junket at A Toast for Black Excellence event in Los Angeles, promoting the major crossover event on Beyond the Gates which featured six cast members from The Young and the Restless, who also got caught up in the twister, but not the mighty Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). He somehow escaped and made it back to Genoa City in one piece.
Claybon shared his excitement of initially meeting Eric Braeden, because in the Black community, they have a long-history of watching the soap, and love Victor! “I think I just had to pinch myself because I was shaking hands with Victor Newman (on-screen), that means so much too many people spiritually,” expressed Brandon. “For people in my community, Victor Newman is everything and to have the Y&R cast in Atlanta and at our studios.”
While viewers wait to find out the fate of Martin Richardson, Claybon recalled the shooting of the Tornado storyline. “These episodes were a lot of hard work. We’re talking about 12 to 15 hour days, and you have to think about all of the actors supporting each other, it’s tremendous. Everything that we went through that viewers we’ll see sooner or later was so well worth it!”

Courtesy/CBS
PRIDE MONTH REPRESENTATION
In a very important illustration of inclusion, it was key in the story to note that Genoa City titans, Victor Newman and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), were backing Martin Richardson’s political campaign. Martin is married to Smitty in an interracial romance, and the two men are raising two black teenagers, which is a first on daytime television for a nucleus of a family. This story point is not lost on Claybon.
“Martin needs money (it was a fundraiser), so it was amazing that both Victor Newman and Jack Abbott were financially helping him with his campaign. This is is Pride month, you know, and for the first interracial gay couple on daytime TV, people are coming up to me to all the time, saying, “I see myself in your character and relationship,” and that’s what it means, representation, and that’s what we’re here for. It’s something that I’ve prepared for and I do know the responsibility it holds. Martin loves Smitty dearly, and Martin loves his family, and family is everything now.”
Previously, Michael Fairman TV spoke with Beyond the Gates series creator, head writer and executive producer, Michele Val Jean, where she named the racism storyline involving Martin killing a white bigot to protect himself and his grandfather, Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis), one of her favorite storylines in the young soap’s history.”It’s absolutely remarkable. She didn’t tell me this. I didn’t know, but it means a lot coming from her,” expressed Brandon. “Michele’s been doing this a long time, and especially for her to have her own show, she thought it would never happen. The words, “a legacy.” I think about it all the time, especially because the show has the power to change attitudes.”

Photo: CBS
WILL BEYOND THE GATES SCORE BIG AT UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS?
Coming up next month, the nominations are expected to be announced for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. This would mark the first year that Beyond the Gates is eligible for the competition for its season 1. Will they triumph?
Claybon had this perspective, “I am looking forward to having a moment to celebrate with the cast, and with each other. That’s the most important thing. Recognition is fun, but at the same time, it’s not why we do this. I’m an actor, but my passion in life is to encourage, uplift, entertain and inspire. I don’t want to think about that when acting. Let (awards) come if they may, but if they don’t, I’ll still be OK.”
You can check out a moment from Friday’s Beyond the Gates below, where Martin is seemingly “OK” and Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway) finds out Victor got out of Fairmont Crest just in time!
Now let us know, what do you think will be the fate of Martin Richardson? Will he have sustained a life-altering brain injury or be OK? What did you think of the final episode of the crossover? Do you enjoy the portrayal of the same-sex relationship between Martin and Smitty and sees its importance, as we are in the middle of Pride Month? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
BEYOND THE GATES: A Tornado Hits Fairmont Crest Part 1: Eva and Martin on Seriously Injured List
On the Thursday, June 11 episode of Beyond the Gates the highly-anticipated tornado struck the Fairmont Crest Country Club while Martin Richardson was holding a fundraiser with the most prominent citizens of Genoa City and the D.C./Maryland area attending.
Martin tells the guest that weather reports indicate a tornado warning, and as he tells them to exit the ballroom to safety, the twister strikes sending everyone into peril,. Richardson and Dupree and Abbott family members are calling out for each other as chaos ensues.
Here is who got stuck with who: Dani and Bill are stuck in an elevator and begin to get hot and bothered after trying to escape. Hayley is stuck in a closet with Kyle Abbott and they makeout, and then to pass the time she puts on some tunes and they dance.

Courtesy/CBS
THOSE IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION
Things are much more serious for Kat and Eva who winds up in a closet but a mental wall comes crashing down upon them. As Kat rails at her sister, Eva says she doesn’t feel well and begins to spit up blood. Kat is a wreck and is trying to deal with her sister’s plight, but they are trapped.
Leslie is helping Anita with her injured ankle, while Vernon goes to try to restore some power, get walkie-talkies and do what he can for everyone inside Fairmont Crest. Nicole and Smitty hear a noise and realize Andre is buried under the rubble in the ballroom. As it turns Andre’s leg was injured when a piece of metal got stuck in it. Ted gets Andre stitched up and tells him to stay put.
The Genoa City contingent can’t locate Victor Newman or Kyle Abbott, as Jack and Diane try to help others. Meanwhile, suddenly yells out that someone is under the tree. Smitty and Nicole gasps as its Martin! He is not moving in and needs medical attention. Smitty fighting back tears asks Martin to squeeze his hand if he can hear him. But there is no response.
Abby Newman worried for the whereabouts of her father, walks away just as chandelier begins to fall from the ceiling, Diane screams out to Abby to watch out. We fade to black.
Beyond the Gates delivered as they had promised, a riveting episode and one of the best soap opera tornadoes harkening back to the days of All My Children. But what did you think of part one? Martin and Eva as the two characters currently most in trouble? What about Dani and Bill getting hot and heavy and Hayley kissin on Kyle? What was your favorite part of part 1? Let us know via the comment section below.
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