Beyond the Gates
Michele Val Jean Gives Update on New CBS Soap ‘The Gates’, “People are Boarding and Taking Seats!” Who Might Be in the Cast?
Excitement continues to build for the launch of the first new network soap opera in 25 years, as The Gates gets set for its January 2025 debut. As previously announced, longtime soap opera writer, Michele Van Jean created the series and will server as writer, showrunner, and as one of the EP’s of the new CBS soap.
While speculation runs high as to who is joining Michele’s team behind the scenes and who will be in the cast, on Saturday, she shared a message on x with an update expressing “The train is in the station, people are boarding and taking seats! #ittakesavillagetobuildaworld #excited #TheGates“
That post certainly piqued soap opera fans minds, all waiting to hear who could be in the cast? Will it be actors from the world of soaps previously? Will a previous TV and film star be featured as one of the leads? What we do now is The Gates is centered around a wealthy Black family who lives in a luxurious gated community.

Photo: CBS
One fan commented to Val Jean: “In addition to all of the great Black daytime vets (Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Victoria Rowell, etc.), I *really* hope you pick up both Micheal Easton & Trevor St. John. I’d love to see them on The Gates!”
Behind the scenes Val Jean is joined by Sheila Ducksworth, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson and Kimberly Doebereiner who also serve as executive producers. The Gates was developed through a joint venture between CBS Studios and the NAACP. The series will be produced by CBS Studios/NAACP venture in partnership with P&G Studios, which is a division of Procter & Gamble.
As for Val Jean, she is well-known for her work as a writer for both The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital and she has won multiple Daytime Emmy and WGA Awards.
So, who would you love to see cast in ‘The Gates]? Not much is known publicly about the characters within the upcoming new soap, but serve as our armchair casting quarterback in the comment section below and let us know which actors you would love to see it it.
It’s been mentioned multiple times that there is a possibility of bringing legendary soap actor Vincent Irizarry to this exciting new show and I couldn’t agree with this more. He has a huge fan base who miss seeing him daily on their screens and he would surely add to the appeal of this show as a regular:
I wholeheartedly concur Vincent would be a fantastic edition to the cast!!
I wholeheartedly concur! Vincent would make a fantastic edition to this epic show ! bar none ❤️
If there is a role available for Vincent Irizarry, I would love to see him on a soap again. He is missed. I would also love to see Debbi Morgan and Victoria Rowell back in action on the soaps as well.
Maybe LATER on this NEW ‘Soap Opera’…But PRESENTLY, We want VICTORIA ROWELL TO RETURN to Young & Restless as DRUCILLA and have her STORYLINE closed out PROPERLY!!….
He is on another show with Jordi Vilauso, “The Blvd” .
He is on “The Blvd.” With Jordi Vilauso.
I didn’t know Vincent was black!
Love her enthusiasm. Mine is dampened by ANY mention of P&G. Back in the day those Exec’s loved to put their stamp on shows no matter how dumb and were famous for exiting writers and being show killers no matter how popular a show was. Nope. A wait and see well into the first year moment for me. These networks just can’t hire a good EP and HW and sit back and be hands off for the sake of a rating point.
I’d love to see Brytni Sarpy on The Gates. She was wasted on YR.
It’s nice that she’s posting but she’s still so vague about The Gates. At least, give us a date of who, what, where and why? LOL!!!!! I have always assumed it would shot in Los Angeles but then others have commented saying maybe it would be in Atlanta because it could be cheaper. I know a lot of people want a lot of old vets and old timers. I could see one or two being cast as the main characters but I’m thinking there are going to be a lot newbies. It’s probably cheaper. Time will tell.
Vincent Irizarry Would be perfect for The Gates! I miss him on my screen!! I have been a fan for 41 years and Vincent always delivers top notch performances Please bring him back to daytime and on your show!! Did I mention he’s an Emmy Winner?!!
I hope they Cast Debbi Morgan, Loretta Devine, Victoria Rowell, Darnell Williams and Patti Labelle. The Gates needs well known soap actors. I hope The Gates is a big hit, I will be watching in January.
PATTI LABELLE??!!??
They need to get Gina Tognoni on board, you had a hit show right a way!
Oh please she’s too busy designing shoes
Really, I don’t think so! lol
Gina Tognoni is not BLACK……This is a SOAP OPERA with a predominantly AFRICAN-AMERICAN CAST!….
Uhm it cannot be all black if so many want Vicent in it -he’s not black either
I don’t know how one could even think about an actor, until you know what sort of charactor they would play. I certainly wouldn’t watch one of my favorite stars play a mean, rotten person, etc.
Most actors welcome the chance to play different types of characters. They don’t want to play the same type their entire careers; nor do film or prime time actors, stage actors, etc. I watched Cillian Murphy, a fantastic Irish actor, go from playing one of the toughest mob bosses on a great show, Peaky Blinders, to playing a woman in a film called Breakfast on Pluto, and he was brilliant in each role! A good actor can play anything and we go along for the ride….
Thanks for enlightening me, something you are so good at!
Snarky much?
I think Violet is being appreciative, not snarkly
Gina Tognoni would be fantastic. I loved her work with Lawrence Saint-Victor on Guiding Light. It would be wonderful to see them work together again.
If Raven Bowens were to leave Days, I’d like to see her in it.
Amelia Marshall and Victoria Rowell for sure also Arianne Zucker Austin Peck and Sarah Buxton and whatever happened to Robert Keller Kelly they would all be great additions!
They need to change the name it sounds dumb.
I’m trying to figure how is where they live called The Gates or do they live litteraly behind Gates which is an exclusive neighborhood or compound? I also don’t care for the name. It sounds kind of depressing.
They told us in the beginning that it is about a RICH,BLACK familythat lives in a gated community. Where I live this is nothing rare or unheard of. It’s lots of apartments, townhouses, condos, etc where you have keys to enter, strangers don’t just drive in at will. I think that’s why the name, The Gates.
Something more snazzy and soapish is in order tho, not The Gates for goodness sake!
Please educate these people!
Vincent is perfect for “The Gates” .
He is EXCEPTIONAL! He gives justice to every role he has ever played. He convincingly portrays his characters , delivers with great precision.
Sounds like many of you don’t know that this is going to be a predominantly black cast.
Roger Howarth, Trevor St John, and Michael Eston would be great additions to the cast in my opinion.
I thought this was mostly a black cast? They should cast newcomers it would make it more interesting.
Jonelle Allen who played Doreen on Generations was incredible. I still think of her performances 35 years later.
So do I. She was dynamite.
This article was pointless. It was little more than a boring tease. “Oh, the EP is excited and things are progressing.” One would assume so. If the date for more information was given or a name of someone in the cast were given, then that would be worth the read. Please wait until there’s some REAL news on this new soap that we are anxious to see before another blip comes out.
We have favorites, yes, but I’d like a large part of the cast to be up and comers who don’t carry baggage from past roles and shows. And to gove audience fresh faces. This is so exciting.
Me too
I think Starr Jones should play as an attorney or a Judge.
Oh yeah, how about Steve Harvey, while we’re at it, he can be so funny.
Now you’re going over the edge with NONSENSE!!…
Oh for God’s sake, lighten up a little and actually my idea was not as crazy as some I’ve seen here.
This is supposed to be a serious, new soap opera about high society, upper echelon Blacks…NOT a show of BUFFOONERY!!!.…
And NeNe Leakes who is her boss and treats her like dirt ooh child I’d be glued to my TV.
Absolutely NO STARR JONES…That’s worse than the person who suggested SINGER Patti LaBelle should be in ‘The GATES’!!!(RIDICULOUS!)….
Thank you they put Starr Jones on there it won’t last 2 weeks
I can only imagine the comments if there was going to be a Jewish soap opera about a wealthy Jewish famil and their “gated” community. I can hear the antisemitism now…
There you go again. It’s not an us vs. them nor is it an either/or situation.
We understand the desire for representation, but any negativity towards this new show is unwarranted. Any new network soap opera in this day and age should be applauded.
Yeah; and I’m going to keep on about it as long as there’s no change. And many in this soap community who are so thrilled about this soap can’t even stand with me to say yeah, there should be at least ONE Jewish character! Instead I’ve been called racist.
Why do you think attitudes toward the black community has changed so much in decades? REPRESENTATION. Popular culture. Kids being brought up with black characters on film, TV, etc. If we don’t do that for the Jewish population, one of the smallest populations on the planet, the cycle of antisemitism will never end.
And “there you go again?” Why do you think black people got to the point they are today? Because they didn’t stay silent. They were sick of not seeing themselves represented. The problem for me is that this very group mocks me, instead of relating to, what I’m saying. They of all people should get it. So, no. I have no desire to support this soap. And won’t.
OG Stead, I think she’s just a troll at this point looking for attention. Representation in all forms is important to many of us. That includes Jewish representation. I doubt she is self-reflective enough to realize it’s not the message but the messenger that’s the problem.
Beyond the Gates
Nick Hagelin Makes His ‘Beyond the Gates’ Debut as Noah Rollins

Beyond the Gates viewers were in for a surprise on the Wednesday, July 22 episode when singer/actor/dancer, Nick Hagelin made his soap opera debut in the recurring role of Noah Rollins, the son of Dr. Kial Rollins played by soap vet Greg Vaughan.
In story, Noah comes to the DMV area and lands at none other than Orphey Jeans coffee shop. He is spotted by Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley) who becomes quite smitten with him. However, Noah is having trouble paying his bill to June (Daytime Emmy nominee Jasmine Burke).
One thing leads to another, and Deanna comes by his table and offers to pay for his bill. Noah gives her his number (his phone died and he has no plug) so she can Venmo him her account info to send her back the funds. Later, Deanna talks with June, who notices how Deanna and Noah had eyes for each other, and senses there was definitely an attraction there.

Courtesy/CBS
NOAH IS INTRODUCED
Next, Noah comes to Garland Memorial Hospital looking for his dad, and runs into Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), who knew exactly who he was and brings him to see Kial, who is surprised to see his son in town.
Noah needs money and Kial won’t pay it, unless he takes a job to pay for music career right here in the DC/Maryland area. Kial tells his son, Atlanta and New York City aren’t that far away if he gets a gig. So, Noah agrees to apply for the job at the free clinic, which Kial will help push through and in return he will get him some cash. Noah is then going to crash at Kial’s place and Kial will go stay with Nicole.
Nick Hagelin is an Atlanta-based performer which is where Beyond the Gates is taped. Previously, Hagelin was in the Top 9 on NBCs The Voice, and has a band in Atlanta called The Fantasy Exchange. Nick also writes and produces for other artists and has had his original music featured on the series, FX Atlanta and Saturday Night Live.
As a ballet dancer, Nick trained at the prestigious School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center in New York City and he has performed with the American Ballet, plus Carolina Ballet, The Kirov, Atlanta Opera, and the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre. Hagelin’s acting credits include the Indie film, Exit Interviews starring OLTL favorite Tuc Watkins (ex-David Vickers), Max’s Sweet Magnolias, The Hunting Wives and many more.
GREG VAUGHAN GONE FROM BEYOND THE GATES?
The addition of Kial’s son to the canvas left many fans wondering if Greg Vaughan has already left the show or was his recent Instagram message about something else entirely. Beyond the Gates tapes over four months ahead of episodes airing on CBS.
Vaughan’s post shared, “My heart is full. My purpose is just getting started. I’m grateful for my life, my family, the people who consistently show up, and the lessons that shaped me. Every challenge has become preparation. Every blessing has become perspective… I’m simply grateful for how far God has brought me, and excited for everything that’s still ahead.”
Greg concluded: “Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey. Family. Friends. Fans. Colleagues. Your encouragement has meant more than you know. Here’s to the next chapter.”
Friends and colleagues jumped into Vaughan’s comment thread including: Robert Christopher Riley who plays Carlton on Beyond the Gates who shared, “Love and miss ya buddy,” fueling speculation that Vaughan is no longer on the CBS soap.
So, what did you think of the on-screen debut of Nick Hagelin as Noah Rollins? Intrigued to see more? Do you think from Greg Vaughan’s message that he is no longer on Beyond the Gates? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Karla Mosley and B&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor Share Their Thoughts on Being First-Time Daytime Emmy Nominees Together (Exclusive)

When it was announced last Monday and Tuesday that longtime friends, scene partners and creative collaborators, Karla Mosley (Dani, Beyond the Gates) and Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter, The Bold and the Beautiful) became first-time Daytime Emmy nominees, they could not have been happier for each other as their connection continues to remain so strong to this day. They have literally gone though their daytime journeys together in so many ways.
As longtime daytime viewers know, Karla and Lawrence first appeared on Guiding Light as Christina and Remy Boudreau. They remained with the beloved CBS soap opera, as it went off the air until its final episode in 2009.
Next, both Karla and Lawrence wound up being cast on The Bold and the Beautiful, she as Maya Avant and he as Carter Walton. At one point, the character’s dated each other, and even became engaged. Later, it was revealed that Maya was a trans woman who was truly in love with Rick Forrester (then played by Jacob Young). Along the way, Karla and Lawrence collaborated on a web series called Wed-Locked, which explored the modern-day realities of being newlyweds. It was conceived in 2009, while they were wrapping up Guiding Light and revived in 2018.

Photo: JPI
Now, here we are in 2026. Karla is one of the stars of CBS’ groundbreaking soap opera, Beyond the Gates, where she received her first Lead Actress nomination for her portrayal of Dani Dupree. Lawrence remains on The Bold and the Beautiful, but get this! He received not only his first nomination for acting and in the Supporting Actor category, but a second for Outstanding Writing Team, since Saint-Victor holds double duty with the CBS soap as a writer and a performer.
During the Michael Fairman Channel’s annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special, Lawrence and Karla closed the show where they were able to speak to each other on the livestream broadcast, and share their feelings on being nominated together in a very special moment. They also let us know what was on their Emmy-nominated reels that landed them this very special recognition for the first time in their veteran soap opera careers.
KARLA AND LAWRENCE WERE OVERJOYED FOR EACH OTHER
Lawrence explained, “Karla and I spoke earlier and we were talking about the synergy we have had throughout the years. Our kids were born in the same week, and so many other things where it’s like we are just so aligned – and so to find out that we’re both first-time nominees in this together … it kind of makes sense when you look at our lives together.”
“I’m so proud of Karla. I’ve always been proud of Karla, but her work on Beyond the Gates, and the responsibility that was given to her to take this world that no one knows about and showcase it, and make it with so much nuance and depth and flare and swag and all this stuff she brings to Dani is fantastic! I’m proud of your show…. 15 nominations.”
Karla replied, “I’m going to sing Lawrence’s praises and say that he has been working for so many years and so hard, and writing and just showing up and being whatever anyone needed him to be, and doing it with excellence every single time. The fact that you’re finally being acknowledged in this way is overdue. I’m overjoyed. Tony (Anthony Pascarelli) who directs both The Bold and the Beautiful and Beyond the Gates came on set. I was doing this emotional scene, and we were in between scenes and he goes, ‘Lawrence! Lawrence!’ He goes, ‘Oops. I shouldn’t have told you that now!’ And I go, ‘No, no. I have to know! That’s my brother!’ It was perfect.”
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCENES FOR YOUR EMMY REEL
It’s always a tough call when actors submit their work for Emmy contention. How do you chose a reel that will capture the voters right away? Do you tell an arc of a story in highlighted scenes, or do you put together a sequence of scenes that may be somewhat unrelated but show your depth as a performer? Clearly, Karla and Lawrence chose right! Here’s how they went about assembling the scenes for their reels.

Photo: CBS
Karla: “I thought, I’m just going to put together something that’s fun for me. I ended up starting with the golf club moment in that blue suit, and then cut to: the gun shot scene at the wedding where she’s holding Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) and Hayley (Marquita Goings) up. Then, we go back to a scene after she comes in with the golf club. So, we really kind of get the Bill/Dani dynamic and what’s going on there. And then, we go to one of my favorite scenes from last year where Ashley’s (Jen Jacob) in the bathroom and Dani’s talking to Andre (Sean Freeman) at Uptown. It’s comedic. It’s Dani at her best wit and banter. Then, we get the scene with Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) where she comes out, and tells her mom that she’s bisexual, which is one of the great moments, because in real life I was coming out at the same time.”
In addition, Mosley continued,”Then another Bill/Dani scene where she’s saying she moved on and here’s why, and here’s why I don’t want to be with you anymore. In the scenes, she really has found her strength, and before that I put in the mugshot photo shoot. The photo shoot was a last minute addition, I woke up inspired by it and had to include it!”

Photo: JPi
LAWRENCE SAINT-VICTOR’S PICKED BREAK-UP SCENES WITH HOPE
Lawrence shared, “The heart of Carter is always about trying to be in love and fall in love. So, I used the Hope (Annika Noelle) breakup scenes and it’s what led my reel, because at the end of the day, everything he does is for love, and for me, the climax of his story is it still didn’t work. We had two breakup scenes. One was a pre-breakup scene, and then Carter got her back. The next one is when he tells her to ‘Go be with Liam. Go be with your family.’ Then, I also had a scene Carter and Daphne (Murielle Hilaire), where he’s just kind of down and out about losing Hope the first time.”
You can check out the segment where Karla and Lawrence meet up on the Daytime Emmy Nomination Special video below at the 2:56:00 mark.
The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be held on October 30 from the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood California and streamed at watch.theemmys.tv and associated apps.
So, what do you think of Karla and Lawrence scoring their first-ever Daytime Emmy nominations in the same year? What do you think about the scenes they put on their nominated reels? Have you watched them since their days on Guiding Light together? Let us know via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Bill Wants to Have More Rendezvous with Dani; But Hayley is Determined to Put Him Six Feet Under

Bill Hamilton (played by new Supporting Actor Daytime Emmy nominee, Timon Kyle Durrett) is front and center this week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates.
In story, Bill visits Dani (Karla Mosley) and intimates there will be more hookups between the exes, but Dani shuts him down. But who thinks she really means it? Will the two begin an illicit affair behind their current spouses back after having sex in an elevator post-Tornado?
Meanwhile, Dani has been doing everything she can to make sure her secret dalliance that night stays buried. However, in a clip in the video teaser for episodes airing July 20-24, Nicole (Daphne Duplaix) corners her sister. She says, “I already know, Dani. The secret’s out.” But what does she know? Is she even talking about knowledge of Bill and Dani? Dani is not out of the hot seat yet! When she visits her parents Anita (Tamara Tunie) and Vernon (Clifton Davis), they have some questions for her, too!
Then at Uptown, Hayley (Marquita Goings) informs her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) that she is determined to finish what was started. She declares that the next time Bill gets symptoms, he will end up in the mortuary instead of the hospital. Cut to Bill unable to catch his breath, going. “What the hell is happening to me?”
Take a look below at the official Beyond the Gates spoilers for this week.
Monday, July 20
Kat and Nicole discuss matters of the heart while Ted and Shanice reach a major milestone in their relationship. Bill and Dani clash. Grayson provides an ear for troubled Tomas.
Tuesday, July 21
Anita and Vernon learn about Naomi’s health status. Kial gives Eva some much-needed advice. Elon makes a push to reconcile with Izaiah. Nicole gives Vanessa an update on her love life before finding out some surprising news about her ex.
Wednesday, July 22
Anita refuses Dani’s request. Bill’s reaction to Naomi’s news stuns her. Shanice and Nicole have a candid chat about Ted. Hayley tells Randy she did him a solid where Lynette is concerned. Deanna meets a handsome stranger in need.
Thursday, July 23
Dani gets a gift that alarms Andre. Smitty asks Jacob for a favor. Hayley warns Randy off Mona. June gives Naomi some intriguing intel. Vernon advises a stubborn Bill. Anita has a present for Laura.
Friday, July 24
Heather informs Joey that she’s back to tie up loose ends. Elon tells Jacob something he doesn’t want to hear. Chelsea’s livestream with Eva leaves Kat miffed. Vanessa comforts Dani.
Check out the latest video teaser for Beyond the Gates below, followed by the Michael Fairman Channel’s Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 which featured Timon Kyle Durrett who speaks of his nomination and this current storyline, along with his on-screen love interests played by Marquita Goings and Karla Mosley. You can find it at 1:29:11 mark.
Now let us know, do you think Bill and Dani will have an ongoing affair? Who will figure out what Hayley is trying to do to Bill? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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