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.
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.
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced
‘The Young and the Restless’: New Co-Head Writers Talk Drama, Romance, and Intrigue Ahead in Genoa City on the Eve of Their Debut Script
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Y&R’s Matt Cohen Talks Role as Compassionate Zookeeper in Rom-Com ‘Christmas at the Zoo’
Alice Halsey Returns to ‘Days of our Lives’ as Rachel Black – Find Out How Long!
‘Beyond the Gates’ Daytime Emmy Winners Ambyr Michelle and Tamara Tunie to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
-
News2 days agoY&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
-
Previews3 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
-
General Hospital2 days ago‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
-
Days Of Our Lives6 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital6 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit
-
News5 days agoB&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor to Guest Star on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
-
Interviews1 week agoRoger Howarth Reflects on Daytime Emmy Win, 32-Year Record Gap, and Embracing Matt Clark on ‘The Young and the Restless’ (Exclusive)
