Beyond the Gates
Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain Join the Cast of ‘Beyond the Gates’
Two of daytime televisions most familiar and notable stars are coming to CBS’ newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates. In a surprise announcement during a media press conference attended by Michael Fairman TV, Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, General Hospital) and Cady McClain (ex-Dixie, All My Children, ex-Rosanna, As the World Turns and ex-Jennifer, Days of our Lives) have joined the cast of the upcoming and groundbreaking daytime drama series.
Beyond the Gates creator, executive producer, co-head writer and showrunner, Michele Val Jean revealed the casting news, expressing, “I now know the meaning of chomping at the bit because I’ve been so excited to share what we’re about to reveal. It’s my honor, my privilege, my joy, to introduce our newest cast members who are not only soap opera icons and brilliant actors, but two of my favorite people on the planet. Say hello to (the characters of) ‘Joey Armstrong’ and ‘Pamela Curtis,’ also known as Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain.”
McClain is a three-time Daytime Emmy winner, and is the first actress to win the award for her work in three different roles on three different soaps and in three different categories. Cady won the gold in 1990, 1994, and 2021. Jon Lindstrom is a four-time Daytime Emmy nominee for his work as Craig Montgomery on As the World Turns in 2010, and as Kevin Collins and Ryan Chamberlain on General Hospital in 2019, 2020, 2023.
Photo: JPI
On joining the cast of Beyond the Gates, Cady McClain shared, “I’m just so thrilled to be a part of this incredible, cast and this amazing show. I think it is so exciting. It’s such a beautiful production with such amazing actors. I have the great pleasure of getting to work a great deal with Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), and we have so much fun … probably too much fun. We play very, very, very, very, very dear old friends. We get up to a bit of trouble. I think that’s all I’ll say.”
Photo: JPI
Jon Lindstrom also gave some insight into his newest daytime role, “I would describe Joey as a bit of an entrepreneur, in a kind of way. Joey comes from the other side of the tracks. He has fought his way up in many ways, but he’s never lost his charm. Joey runs a casino, which, if you’ve ever been inside a casino, you know, a casino is kind of like what a bar is to an alcoholic. So, people can get into a lot of trouble around Joey, and Joey doesn’t like trouble. He knows how to end trouble, but he doesn’t like trouble.”
Throughout the years, Jon has been a very vocal advocate for the exquisite writing talents of Michele Val Jean. The actors credits the success of the Kevin/Ryan twin storyline to Michelle during her tenure with the GH writing team. So, when talking on his favorite part of joining the cast of Beyond the Gates, Lindstrom was very frank stating, “Michele Val Jean … that’s about all I can say about that. Everybody knows that Michelle is the best writer in the business. They may not want to admit it, especially if they’re another writer, but she is the very best in the business. To be able to come down here to this brand new spanking new studio (in Atlanta), where you could eat off the floor, I mean, usually we walk into stages where there’s dust from 1949!”
Photo: JPI
Summing up his experience at Beyond the Gates thus far, Lindstrom said, “Every single member of this cast is incredible, and this crew who are so happy to walk through those doors every day and to be a part of something. So to me, to everybody, I think it is so groundbreaking. That’s the most special part of it at all.”
Back in April of 2024, Cady and Jon took to social media and offered up a since-deleted post at that time that they were going their separate ways after ten years of marriage. The actors met when they were both appearing on As the World Turns. There is no word yet as to what Lindstrom’s role on Beyond the Gates means for the status of his role as GH’s Kevin Collins.
Photo: JPI
Beyond the Gates debuts on Monday, February 24 on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+ weekdays at 2PM ET/1PM PT. To get you ready for the new series, CBS is airing a five-part special Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood the week of February 17-21 weekdays from 2-2:30pm ET/1-1:30pm PT.
What do you think of both Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain joining the cast of Beyond the Gates? Excited to see them in their new soap roles? Comment below.
Jon’s being on Beyond The Gates is a reason for me to give the show a try, just hope he isn’t leaving GH.
With what little time they give GH gives the brilliant Jon Lindstrom, I think he can easily juggle both role much like how Wally Kurth does with GH and Days.
Wait, when did Jon leave GH?
Where did it state he left General Hospital? He’s a recurring actor there, so technically he’s an employee-at-will. He’s used when needed.
He’s not on contract at GH and only shows up a handful of times a year.
Wally Kurth is on both GH and DOOL so hopefully Kevin will remain on GH though Joey sounds like a significant role so Jon will most likely to be seen more on screen in the outskirts of DC rather than in PC. I don’t think Jon would permanently leave GH to join a brand new show that is launching, but the amount of screen time he has on GH these days is hardly at all.
Good luck to them both!!! I loved them both as Craig and Rosanna on As The World Turns!
I loved them on ATWT too, but he always had that thing for Carly. BTW, do you remember that stupid nick-name he called daughter Lucy, It’s right on tip of my tongue, but can’t spit it out, OOPS, just remembered it, Lullaby, ich!
As Wally Kurth clearly exhibits, Jon can recur on both GH and BTG – especially with how seldom Kevin is used.
BTG seems to be on a shooting cycle somewhere between the current 3 broadcast shows and DAYS. BTG started filming in early November and will begin airing in late February – 3 1/2 months later. GH typically runs anywhere from 3 to 7 WEEKS ahead of air – with DAYS now being a ridiculous 8 months ahead.
Those different windows foster an environment where actors could manage their schedules and travel time to handle more than one show at a time.
Beyond The Gates tapes in Atlanta so that will be harder to juggle both shows.
Very interesting Can’t wait for behind the gates
THIS is a big get for them! This is Cady McClain’s first-ever original daytime role, so I am very happy for her! Hoping both roles are lasting for the pair of them!
Gee, I always felt she had a substantial part on AMC until she ate the pancakes, or was that someone else?
Yes, she did. But what Scott means is that Cady was a recast for Dixie, Rosanna and Jennifer so this will be her first daytime role that she created.
Got it, thanks for clarifying.
She was also a recast for Kelly Andrews onY and R, taking over the role from Cynthia Watros
Can’t stand Cynthia Watros from way back on GL and do not remember her at all on Y&zR.
The best news ever! I’ve been looking forward to the debut for months!
Hope this doesn’t mean Jon is leaving GH, although I certainly wouldn’t blame him if he did. They’ve had nothing whatsoever for him since they killed off Ryan. Really a shame that he never won an Emmy for that storyline.
I don’t have time in my life to devote to another daily M-F show at this point, but I wish Beyond The Gates success. I’m for anything that helps keep the genre alive!
If he’s recurring on Beyond the Gates, then he’s capable of doing both. Although, considering he’s a recurring player at General Hospital, he has no need to remain. If Gates is willing to use him while General Hospital is not, I don’t blame him for going to where he’s actually wanted.
The sad thing is more than half of the characters on GH could benefit from intensive psychotherapy.
Or, you know, they could just disappear and lighten up an overpacked canvas.
This is true.
This is great news! Two more reasons to watch Beyond the Gates.
Well, I was undecided about watching this show but now I know for sure I’ll be watching since two of my most favorite stars will be joining it.Wonder if Jon will still be on GH?
If this show fails will the talk return
No.
saw Cadyof all, i have enjoyed the 1st week of Beyond the Gates. I saw Cady in today’s episode…..I havent seen her since she played Dixie on AMC…..so glad to see her again! Looking forward to seeing Jon on BTG soon – so glad he is not leaving GH! Perhaps he will be on 2 soaps, like Wally Kurth does?
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.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Daytime Emmy Winners Ambyr Michelle and Tamara Tunie to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
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.
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.“
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.
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?
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.
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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