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 TVcaught 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!
Llanviewer717
4 months ago
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.
Scott (ATWT fan)
4 months ago
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.
Who would have thought that more uptight of the Beyond the Gates Dupree sisters, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaix), would be the one cavorting around with a few different suitors at one time and living it up! Such as the case of the psychiatrist at Garland Memorial Medical Center.
In story, after her decades-long marriage went bust with Dr. Ted Richardson (thanks to the bombshell by Leslie that Ted and her had an affair the result of which was her having his daughter, Eva), Nicole divorced the renowned plastic surgeon and since that time has two men actively vying her attention, newcomer in town, Dr. Kial Robbins (Greg Vaughan) and Ted’s plastic surgeon partner, Dr. Carlton Fitzgerald (Michael Christopher Riley).
What’s refreshing for daytime is, this is a woman taking control of her personal life, and not making excuses that she is not being mutually-exclusive, She has even explained to both Kial and Carlton that after the stormy ending and the betrayal of her marriage to Ted (Keith D. Robinson), she’s not rushing into anything with any sort of short or long term commitment. So, everyone knows what they are getting themselves into.
For Nicole, let the fun begin and this week on all new episodes of Beyond the Gates come the Friday, May 8 episode while with Carlton, Nicole runs into Food Network Chef, Sunny Anderson who is also a regular contributor and official “Drew Crew” member on The Drew Barrymore Show. Meanwhile, Ted is thinking about another woman who Shanice thinks is Leslie, but doesn’t he just love Nicole and wants her back, try as he might to move on with anyone that isn’t her? Stay tuned.
This week, in the latest promo for Beyond the Gates, things are getting hot and heavy in the bedroom between Nicole and Carlton, while previous she had quite the time with Kial.
Check out the latest video teaser for episodes airing May 4-8 below.
So, who do you think will be the ultimate love match for Nicole? Will she wind up back with Ted, choose to be exclusive with Kial or Carlton, or will no one get Nicole, and she will just continue to be single and happy for the rest of her life? Let us know your picks via the comment section.
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.
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.
