Welcome to the first-ever "Beyond the Gates" monthly discussion thread here on Soap Opera Network where fans of the daytime drama series can share and respond to everything about, within, and beyond the gates of Fairmont Crest and the Fairmont Crest Country Club.

The brand new series stars Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis, Daphnee Duplaix, Karla Mosley, Alex Alegria, Lauren Buglioli, Brandon Claybon, Timon Kyle Durrett, Sean Freeman, Ben Gavin, Marquita Goings, Jibre Hordges, Jen Jacob, Maurice Johnson, Trisha Mann-Grant, Mike Manning, RhonniRose Mantilla, Ambyr Michelle, Colby Muhammad and Arielle Prepetit.

"Beyond the Gates" is the first brand new soap opera set to debut on a broadcast network in more than 25 years, since the launch of “Passions” in 1999, and the first-ever one-hour Black-centric daytime drama series.

The series is developed and produced by the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, led by Sheila Ducksworth, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

Michele Val Jean is the creator, executive producer and showrunner alongside executive producers Sheila Ducksworth, Julie Carruthers, Robert Guza Jr., Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Kimberly Doebereiner and Anna Saalfeld.

"Beyond the Gates"

Premise: Set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C., and in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States. Here you’ll find 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.

Premieres Monday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT on CBS. Stream Live and On Demand on Paramount+/Paramount+ WITH SHOWTIME. Weekdays.

"Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood"
Five-day, five-part half-hour daytime special airing during the week of February 17-21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT on CBS. Stream Live and On Demand on Paramount+/Paramount+ WITH SHOWTIME.

Episode One: Unveiling Fairmont Crest (Monday, February 17)

• In the premiere episode, “Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood” opens its doors to Fairmont Crest, a world rich with history, culture and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Get to know the cast and creative minds behind this groundbreaking series as they share what makes “Beyond the Gates” a first-of-its-kind storytelling experience – both in front of and behind the camera.

Episode Two: Creating the Cast (Tuesday, February 18)

• Episode two dives into the making of “Beyond the Gates”, revealing the dedication and vision that brought this epic series to life. Meet the Dupree family, the heart of Fairmont Crest, and uncover the intricate stories that shape their world. Go inside the casting process that built the show’s powerhouse ensemble, with over 40 dynamic characters brought to life by an extraordinary lineup of talent.

Episode Three: Fashion and Flair (Wednesday, February 19)

• In episode three, step behind the curtain to explore the artistry of “Beyond the Gates”’ wardrobe, hair and makeup departments. Take a tour of the show’s high-fashion wardrobe, where every look is meticulously curated to reflect each character’s personality, status and story. Get the inside scoop on the secrets behind the show’s stunning hair and makeup, including a peek inside the wig cabinet housing more than 40 custom-designed wigs.

Episode Four: A Day in the Life (Thursday, February 20)

• Episode four shows viewers a day in the life of the fast-paced world of “Beyond the Gates”, where the cast tackles an intense filming schedule – shooting up to 100 pages a day. Discover the stamina, skill and dedication it takes to bring Fairmont Crest to life, from memorizing lines to delivering powerhouse performances under pressure. Plus, meet the leading men and women of “Beyond the Gates” and get an inside look at what really goes into filming those steamy love scenes.

Episode Five: Sneak Peek and Guest Stars (Friday, February 21)

• In episode five, get ready for an exclusive first look at “Beyond the Gates”’ explosive premiere. With high stakes, deep secrets and unforgettable drama, this sneak peek sets the stage for a season filled with twists and surprises. Plus, hear directly from the cast and creators about what’s in store for Fairmont Crest. Then, unlock the ET Vault to revisit where we first met the stars of “Beyond the Gates” and where you may have seen them before.
• Additionally, don’t miss a special behind-the-scenes look at some of the show’s exciting guest stars – including “Entertainment Tonight” co-host Nischelle Turner. Go on set as she steps into Fairmont Crest for a must-see cameo, giving fans a glimpse of the fun and surprises still to come.

Official Websites

CBS.com / Paramount+

Well that hour certainly flew by.

Playboy Andre had instant chemistry with Dani. Maybe this will loosen Dani up a bit. I am curious who he sets his sites on next.

Haley saying I only planned to get married once to the man that just left his wife for her is comically stupid😂

2 minutes ago, Soapsuds said:

You were reading my mind.

Do we actually see butt

Just now, John said:

Do we actually see butt

When he bent over in his jeans to put Ashley in her bed. 

15 minutes ago, Efulton said:

Hey Andre I am having a bad week too.

Same lmaoooo 

Spoiler

So is tommorow's gun shot gonna be aimed at Bill ???????

 

25 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

I'm still confused at who is who lol

 

me, too!

this is helpful:

character cheat sheet

Watching the first three episodes....I'm not overwhelmed. The acting isn't Tyler Perry bad, and I could understand the twenty-something crowd being green. Aside from Tamara Tunie, the one acting standout IMO is Nicole, who seems grounded and real. Karla Mosely seems to be trying too hard to play Dani. 

The one role they really needed to nail the casting on was Bill (? Dani's ex) and they didn't. A lot of the drama is built on the dynamic of that breakup, and there's not a thing about that actor that said he had enough charm or chutzpah to be that big an operator.

1 minute ago, P.J. said:

Watching the first three episodes....I'm not overwhelmed. The acting isn't Tyler Perry bad, and I could understand the twenty-something crowd being green. Aside from Tamara Tunie, the one acting standout IMO is Nicole, who seems grounded and real. Karla Mosely seems to be trying too hard to play Dani. 

The one role they really needed to nail the casting on was Bill (? Dani's ex) and they didn't. A lot of the drama is built on the dynamic of that breakup, and there's not a thing about that actor that said he had enough charm or chutzpah to be that big an operator.

Nice to see constructive  critique

Who was the guy at the lawfirm who called Hayley new and improved

3 minutes ago, John said:

Nice to see constructive  critique

I understand they probably wanted to stay away from established soap opera actors, but I found myself wishing for someone like Monti Sharp in that role.

1 minute ago, P.J. said:

I understand they probably wanted to stay away from established soap opera actors, but I found myself wishing for someone like Monti Sharp in that role.

I think mandate is majority are Atlanta based

I think either Anita or Vernon have another child, maybe a son

11 minutes ago, P.J. said:

Watching the first three episodes....I'm not overwhelmed. The acting isn't Tyler Perry bad, and I could understand the twenty-something crowd being green. Aside from Tamara Tunie, the one acting standout IMO is Nicole, who seems grounded and real. Karla Mosely seems to be trying too hard to play Dani. 

The one role they really needed to nail the casting on was Bill (? Dani's ex) and they didn't. A lot of the drama is built on the dynamic of that breakup, and there's not a thing about that actor that said he had enough charm or chutzpah to be that big an operator.

I'm glad you're watching.

 

I agree with you about Tamara, Daphnne, and Karla.

 

I'm still waiting for more episodes before I call the Bill casting a failure. The writing for him could be better. Right now, he's coming across as sympathetic.

Edited February 27Feb 27 by Soapsuds

Real Andrews would be great on this show

5 minutes ago, John said:

I think mandate is majority are Atlanta based

And I'm not even sure Monti acts anymore. The character needs a little more presence than this one has.

5 minutes ago, Soapsuds said:

I'm glad you're watching.

 

I agree with you about Tamara, Daphnne, and Karla.

 

I'm still waiting for more episodes before I call the Bill casting a failure. The writing for him could be better. Right now, he's coming across as sympathetic.

Clifton Davis is great too

He hasn't done daytime since 1971

A World Apart

The actor who plays Bill is great! Bill's got charisma, looks, money, I can see why women would fall all over themselves to sleep with him 

2 minutes ago, dragonflies said:

The actor who plays Bill is great! Bill's got charisma, looks, money, I can see why women would fall all over themselves to sleep with him 

I wouldt recast anyone but honestly if a VO said the role of Derek Baldwin is now played by Evan Hoffer I wouldn't be upset

Edited February 27Feb 27 by John