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Jamey Giddens Exits Days of our Lives and Joins Writing Team of Beyond the Gates

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: CBS

The line-up of well-known and notable soap opera writers continues to stack up at CBS daytime’s newest soap, Beyond the Gates. Now comes word that Jamey Giddens has exited the writing team of Peacock’s Days of our Lives and is joining the BTG writing team under creator and head writer, Michele Val Jean.

In Giddens move to Beyond the Gates, it reunites him Val Jean and Susan Dansby, both of whom were on the writing team with him on OWN’s Ambitions, plus former Days of our Lives head writer, Ron Carlivati, who serves as a breakdown writer on the new daytime drama.

Taking to social media on Tuesday, March 4th, Giddens made the announcement, expressing, along with a gif of an incensed Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) taking a golf club to Bill Hamilton’s (Timon Kyle Durrett) office desk, “A little bit of career news… After almost five amazing years in Salem U.S.A., I’ve relocated to a new neighborhood…#BeyondTheGates #DAYS”

Photo: JPI

For those wanting to know what it means for episodes that Jamey was involved in on DAYS, the scribe clarified,My #DAYS episodes will continue to air into early 2026, so I’ll be showing both shows plenty of love on social media until, well, forever! Grateful for my time in Salem, and so excited to join my friend Michele Val Jean at her red-hot new sudser! #BeyondTheGates”

After his announcement on X, another Behind the Gates writing team member, Sara A. Bibel, who serves as a breakdown writer, posted, “A friendship that began in the Daytime Emmys press room has traveled all the way to Fairmont Crest! So thrilled that you’ve joined us. Welcome to #BeyondTheGates!”

Photo: CBS

Previously, Giddens has written for Victoria Rowell’s series, The Rich and the Ruthless (2017), Ambitions (2019), Sistas (2004-2005) and (2020-2025).

What do you think about Jamey Giddens joining the writing team of Beyond the Gates? Excited by the newest addition to daytime’s hottest new show? Comment below.

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Oh, I was hoping he would make the leap!! So happy for you Jamey! First got to know him on Daytime Confidential many moons ago! May your star rise higher and higher!!

Not a fan at all. Thankfully, he’s supposedly only a breakdown writer, replacing Gregori J. Martin, so that’s a plus: he has no creative control.

I thought he had left days of our lives over a year ago, but I did keep seeing his name in the credits. Wasn’t there a previous announcement that he left the days? In any case, I’m happy for him I just hope he doesn’t create a bunch of raunchy sex scenes like he did with ambitions I never could watch that show because of those raunchy scenes

Why this article (and a similar one on Daytime Confidential) don’t mention that Jamie was an editor for DC prior to joining Ambitions and DAYS is missing a part of the story.

Yes, I was a bit perplexed and surprised that DC didn’t mention his time at DC. Makes me wonder if his exit from DC was less amicable than we all thought.

Was thinking something a bit different. SOD didn’t consider this newsworthy to include on their site (he’s a breakdown writer at BTG – not a head or lead writer).

Perhaps his time as editor of a soap blog doesn’t fit the desired narrative.

Or perhaps they didn’t want to discuss the owner/ editor of a competitor site Congratulations Me. Giddens. Was hoping you would stay in Salem and you will be missed. Things have been sort of slow since Ron C left.

Actually, Days is still running ReRon’s material. Since they tape 9 months ahead, the new writers’ scripts don’t show up on screen until late April.

All of this “Body & Soul” and the doppelgangers running around everywhere is the typical “end stage ReRon writing” and every bit as bad as the storylines that got him fired from GH.

I do find it very ironic that Beyond the Gates is directly competing against GH (in some markets) while being written by both GH’s last good head writer (Bob Guza) and one of their worst ever writers (ReRon)

Ron C helped saved Days and worked under conditions that thankfully he will not have to deal with at Beyond the Gates specifically locked in storylines that cannot be adjusted on the fly based on audience reaction due to the shows production schedule. It’s a miracle he lasted as long as he did. I wish the new Days writers the best but you can tell the writing on the show is in a holding pattern until the new writers can fully take charge. But best wishes to Jamey Giddens. May the force be with you.

Satan – I don’t find it ironic at all that two of GH’s former Head Writers are now writing for BEYOND THE GATES because BTG’s creator – Michele Val Jean – worked with both Ron Carlivati and Robert Guza, Jr on ABC when Michele previously wrote for GH. Now, it seems to be that Michele Val Jean is simply recruiting the best and the brightest writers that are still in daytime to help make BTG a success, which is so necessary to keep BTG on the air.

As for Ron Carlivati: I know that he gets a lot of flack for his writing on DAYS, but that doesn’t discount the fact that he helped save DAYS from the bad writing by Dena Higley in 2017 when Ron joined DAYS. Ron also replaced Dena Higley on ONE LIFE TO LIVE in 2007, and Ron’s writing helped OLTL to make a resurgence in the ratings. Ron even wrote well for GH until he was let go for no valid reason. Anyway, I wish Ron well at BTG.

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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