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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

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.

Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS

MORE BY THE NUMBERS

In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .

BEYOND THE GATES

Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:

Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:

Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.

Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.

Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.

Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a  benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.

However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.

So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Daytime Emmy Winners Ambyr Michelle and Tamara Tunie to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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Ambry Michelle and Tamara Tunie

Just over a week ago, Beyond the Gates stars Ambyr Michelle and Tamara Tunie broke ground becoming the first performers in the history of daytime’s newest soap opera to win Daytime Emmys!

Michelle became the first, when she took home gold statuette earlier in the ceremonies in the Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category. Later, Tunie joined her when she took home the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series, the first Emmy of her veteran career.

Now, both actresses visit the Michael Fairman Channel live for two separate chats! Ambyr Michelle will be with us on Wednesday, November 11 beginning at 6pm ET/3pm PT, while Tamara Tunie follows the next day on Thursday, November 12 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

Ambry Michelle

Photo: CBS

Find out what happened on their Emmy night both behind the scenes and in front of the camera, and in the celebration afterwards, plus what’s next for Eva and Anita in story on the CBS soap opera.

AMBYR TOOK A ‘SEAT AT THE TABLE’

Daytime Emmy viewers will recall Ambyr’s heartfelt Emmy acceptance speech, when she shared, “I don’t just see an award. I see every audition, every rejection, every moment I questioned my artistry. And to Eva Thomas, thank you, girl. Playing your pain made me process my own.“

She ended her speech with, “To my beautiful Black women and girls, take up space, be undeniable, create your tables, and fill those seats. When the tables are full, and those seats are full, make the table even bigger. So that the women coming up behind you never have to ask permission to belong.“

Tamara Tunie

Photo: CBS

TAMARA HONORED THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE HER AND HER MOM

Tamara Tunie received a standing ovation when her name was called after her win in an enduring career. Tunie began by sharing, “My heart is so full right now. This is the best welcome back to daytime ever, There is a host of Black actresses who paved the way for me, and I feel them as I stand here tonight, beginning with the legendary Cicely Tyson, the first Black woman to appear on a daytime television show, The Guiding Light.”

Tunie went on to thank her co-stars and everyone at Beyond the Gates and soap opera fans, plus getting to share the screen with the legendary Clifton Davis as Anita’s husband, Vernon Dupree. However, it was Tunie’s mother, who at 92, was with her on Emmy night that she thanked the most.

“There is one person who has been on this journey with me every single step of the way, who has traveled across states, countries and oceans to support my dream,” she expressed. “I would not be who I am as an actor or a woman without her love, support, encouragement and mere presence, She has been my example, my role model and my inspiration. I accept this honor on behalf of my mother … who, at 92 years young, crossed the country yet again to see me take this goal tonight. I love you, mommy!”

HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Make sure to join us in the live chat with your questions for Ambyr and Tamara in what is sure to be emotional conversations.

If you cannot be with us live, but have a question you would like posed to either actress, make sure to drop in the comment section below and we just might pose it during the live broadcasts.

So, were you happy to see Ambyr and Tamara win Emmy gold? What are your hopes for Eva and Anita as the holiday season approaches and with 2027 just around the corner? Let us know in the comment section.

 

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Yvette Nicole Brown and Husband Anthony Davis Head to ‘Beyond the Gates’

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Yvette Nicole Brown and Anthony R. Davis

Next week on the Friday, November 13 episode of Beyond the Gates, Yvette Nicole Brown and her real life husband Anthony Davis guest star. In story, Brown takes on the role of Temeka the cousin to Shanice (Ernestine Johnson Morrison).

When Temeka comes to Fairmont Crest she will be accompanied by her husband, Tony, played by real-life hubby Anthony Davis. The castings come as the soap opera continues to expand the family of Shanice. Previously, we met her brothers, Cedric and Lamont.

As Shanice gets ready to head down the aisle with Dr. Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) will the presence of Shanice’s family members actually deter the nuptials from ever taking place?

Shanice and Ted

Photo: CBS

This now makes the third daytime drama appearance by Yvette Nicole Brown. She first popped up on The Young and the Restless in 2016 and 2017 as reporter Lois Thompson.

Then in 2023, she played a nurse on General Hospital when she appeared in the March 29, 2023 episode honoring her real-life friend, Sonya Eddy who past away in real-life in December of 2022, The soap honored her in death when her character, Epiphany died.

Sonya Eddy

Photo: ABC

Brown and Eddy first met in 2003 while testing for an ABC pilot titled “The Four Divas” alongside Octavia Spencer and Carla Renata and became very close friends up until Eddy’s passing.

It was actually Brown’s character, who came forth to Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and shared that Epiphany died saving her life which gave some sort of solace to Elizabeth; knowing Epiphany died doing what she loved, helping people.

As for Anthony Davis, not only is he an actor, but a writer and minister known for TV and film roles including: He Wasn’t Man Enough (2025), The Family Business: New Orleans, and The Upshaws.  

Brown is also recognized from her roles on: Community, The Odd Couple, The Mayor, That ’70s Show, The Office, Boston Legal, Chuck, Mom, Big Shot to name but a few.

So, looking forward to see Yvette Nicole Brown and her real-life husband, Anthony Davis on Beyond the Gates? Happy to see more family members from Shanice’s life showing up at Fairmont Crest? Do you remember the heart-tugging episode where everyone learned Epiphany had died on General Hospital and Yvette Nicole Brown’s part in the story? Let us know via the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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