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‘Montecito’ Audio Soap Opera Premieres; Drops Episode 1 and 2 Featuring Peter Porte, Mike Manning, Crystal Chappell, Emme Rylan and More

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

On Tuesday, April 22nd as exclusively first revealed by Michael Fairman TV, the audio soap opera, Montecito launched with its first two episodes.

Each 20-minute episode immerses listeners into a world designed for today’s soap opera, podcast and audiobook audiences. The audio-first series comes from creator and Emmy-nominated podcast executive producer, Grant Rutter, with Andrew Pemberton-Fowler serving as Executive Story Editor and Trae Budde as Supervising Sound Editor.

The cast includes: Crystal Chappell (Venice the Series, ex-DAYS, OLTL, GL and B&B), Peter Porte (ex-DAYS and Y&R), Mike Manning (Beyond the Gates, The Bay and ex-DAYS), Marc Anthony Samuel (ex-GH), Emme Rylan (ex-GL, Y&R and GH), Vincent Irizarry (ex-GL DAYS, AMC, B&B et al), Chelsea Rendon as Mina Rast-Granville, Jake Getman as Diego Granvillle and Kelly Thiebaud (ex-GH) as Dr. Layla Carreri, with the narrator of the series being  the voiGeneral Hospital favorite, Rick Hearst.

Photo: GRutter

In Episode 1, “The Pleasant View Resort and Beach Club throws open its doors with fanfare and secrets just beneath the surface. As Helena (Crystal Chappell) proudly ushers in a new chapter of her family’s legacy, her son Deacon (Peter Porte) plays the part of devoted husband alongside the ambitious Mina (Chelsea Rendon). But behind the smiles, an affair burns hot with JJ (Mike Manning), grudges simmer, and a surprise guest (Marc Anthony Samuel) threatens to unravel it all.”

In Episode 2, “The fallout from the fire alarm rings louder than the sirens. Helena (Crystal Chappell) and Mina (Chelsea Rendon) face off in a brutal confrontation. Meanwhile, Deacon (Peter Porte) and Gio (Marc Anthony Samuel) seek quiet refuge by the fire, where old wounds resurface and buried truths come to light. As they explore the path not taken, secrets smolder—about fatherhood, identity, and the cost of staying silent. Elsewhere, Mina spirals, JJ (Mike Manning) snaps, and a long-missing sister (Emme Rylan) returns with a shocking entrance—just as the sound of whirring blades cuts through the night.”

Photo: JPI

As to the hopes and future for Montecito, Rutter previously shared with MFTV, “These 10 episodes are treated like that pilot, and while it’s well over three hours worth of content, it is a full arc. I’m kind of viewing this as cycle one with the perspective and the goal of continuing onto the next cycle. I’m very much looking to take the temperature in the market, get some data, see where this lands and hopefully it lands in a place where it makes sense to continue.”

Soap fans can be on the lookout for episodes 3-10 (dropping one per week) every Tuesday through the middle of June. You can listen to episodes of the series via Apple Podcasts as well as all major podcast streaming platforms, and on the Montecito YouTube Channel

Now below, take a listen to episode 1 and 2 of Montecito, then let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.

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I’m liking this – each of the actors have very distinctive voices. It will be on my daily walk schedule of podcasts:)

This was awesome. Very easy to follow. Sounded great too. Highly recommend

I enjoyed it. I’ll be back for more.

Just listened to ep 1. Impressed! I was super stoked because I always wondered what it was like to listen to the old radio broadcasts back in the day, the true birth of soaps. Great job, all!

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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