Beyond the Gates: Premiere Date, Time Slot Set by CBS

[dragonflies]

Don't shoot me, but Krista Allen lives in Atlanta, maybe she can get a small role on the show in some capacity *hides*

[Liberty City]

So, if I break it down right, here is who we have thus far:

• Jessica (early 50's) – psychiatrist at Garland Memorial Medical Center
• Betty (late 60's to 70's) – a famous singer
• Betty's husband (age N/A) – former Senator [unconfirmed to yet-be cast]
• Joseph (50's) – criminal defense attorney
• Sara Jackson (mid-to-late 40's) – Joseph's ex-wife, who dropped out of high school to pursue modeling; made to be full-time mother and husband by Joseph

Jonelle Allen is just outside of their desired age-range for Betty.

[dragonflies]

I hope CBS gives it a great budget, wouldn't mind a location shoot or two along the way once they get settled

[Liberty City]

Also.. sounds like shooting starts November 4 of this year, so I suspect we'll have six-to-eight weeks of material to work with prior to the January 2025 targeted premiere.

[Soapsuds]

Chandler Massey does too!

Hides too!

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[NothinButAttitude]

*coughs* Young (well I am 36) Black writer here! And I live in GA. 

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And my friend @DramatistDreamer is a playwright! 

There you go, Michele! 

[Soapsuds]

I've haven't read your ideas where soap stories are concerned. Maybe I missed them.

@DramatistDreamer always has great ideas where storylines are concerned. I'd hire her!

 

[Manny]

"The Gates will shoot in Atlanta from November 4, 2024, to August 29, 2025."

Is it odd that they specify the end date for shooting? I mean, I guess they have a 1 year contract, but since this should be a continuing drama (if successful), then specifying a shooting end date is strange. 

And if CBS gives them only one year to find their footing, it is crazy. Soaps need more time.

EDIT: The names are all so generic. Would have been nice to have some more unique names. I mean, Jessica, Betty, Joseph and Sara sound so ordinary

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Edited July 31, 2024 by Manny

[John]

That could be the lease of the studio

[BoldRestless]

I wonder if that timeline is supposed to cover a year's worth of shooting.

[BetterForgotten]

Yes, or there is a planned production dark period assuming they've stockpiled some episodes for a break. 

[Liberty City]

My guess is it's a policy put in-place in case it does not pull the ratings it wants, and allows for a potential fall replacement?

[BetterForgotten]

Yes, because Sept/October is usually the start of the broadcast calendar. 

[Chris B]

In recent years CBS Daytime has started putting emphasize on seasons for their soaps. I'm sure we'll know long before that if it's renewed, but they're basically treating their daytime shows like primetime in terms of renewals now.

I'm glad more news is out! I hope fans don't flip about the Guza news. This makes sense considering she's worked with him before and he's a great choice. He knows how to plot high impact stories and one of the big killers for new soaps is they tend to be slow in the beginning. I'm sure they'll be a magic combo.

The best part of this news is Atlanta for filming! I've been keeping my fingers crossed for this. Filming in LA is just not worth it these days. It would've been a mistake to film there and give us another cramped soap like the Bell soaps have become. In ATL they'll be able to get a studio with space to provide sets that actually represent what they're trying to show. A more modern look will also help the show gain a larger audience.

Excited to see who they cast but with November for a start date we still have a long ways to wait until they announce casting. I do wish they were filming with more of a lead in case they need to do reshoots. Audiences have a short attention span so they really need to get it right from the beginning. The days of starting mediocre and improving are gone. 

Everything is going the way I'd hoped so far. Now just keeping my fingers crossed for Victoria Rowell as Betty. I imagine we'll see a Real Housewife on the show as well.

[Manny]

Yeah, could be. But I would assume they would negotiate the contract with the studio for the duration of the contract with CBS. Because I doubt they would risk it going bad in the second year and them having to move the production elsewhere. 

I would think so, yes. I guess I am overthinking it, but it was just strange to see the end date mentioned. I just wouldn't expect it in the first real article talking about the production of the show.