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+

1 minute ago, Alan said:

For some reason I get the vibe that Naomi and Hayley were more than bffs. She is wounded by this affair in a way that Chelsea is not.

Um of course she’s wounded differently than Chelsea. Her dad literally cheated on her mom with her best friend. Haley was not Chelsea’s best friend. 

❤️

3 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

❤️

This devious ho 😂😂

BTG is, in my opinion, the best written and best produced soap opera on daytime.  It makes the other four look like amateurs.   How do others feel about this?

But the budget appears to be huge -- extravagant sets, wardrobe, hair, and other production values. Is anyone else concerned that this type of budget may not be sustainable on daytime TV in 2025?   What if CBS renews the show in a couple of years, but demands huge cuts in the budget??   

45 minutes ago, BetterForgotten said:

❤️

 

41 minutes ago, Antoyne said:

This devious ho 😂😂

Hehe. Same.

 

6 minutes ago, Mona Kane Croft said:

BTG is, in my opinion, the best written and best produced soap opera on daytime.  It makes the other four look like amateurs.   How do others feel about this?

I agree. I have really enjoying watching this show. And rewatching. It's giving 'great rewatch value to catch something missed.' Something I haven't seen for the most part with other soaps as of late. I could totally see me rewatching over the weekend. 

 

But I will probably worry about the budget around when it gets renewed.  

8 minutes ago, Mona Kane Croft said:

What if CBS renews the show in a couple of years, but demands huge cuts in the budget??   

cbs owns the show. 

1 minute ago, Mona Kane Croft said:

BTG is, in my opinion, the best written and best produced soap opera on daytime.

I think this is, so far at least, unquestionably true, obvious, delightful, scary & a product of getting to do it from scratch, IOW being the new kid on the block but also a great many excellent decisions being made!!

1 minute ago, Mona Kane Croft said:

 It makes the other four look like amateurs.   How do others feel about this?

I wouldn't say it's a question of amateurish versus professionalism. Instead I'd say DAYS looks - and is - produced fast & cheap & we know why. GH is produced fast & sloppy & shallow & we have theories why. I'm not a regular viewer of either B&B or Y&R but there have been times in the past year when I watched & both seem like they're being written by some experiment that has failed but no one has turned the lights out yet. Again, theories. They are all really old US organizations so they have lots of inherited problems & baggage. 

1 minute ago, Mona Kane Croft said:

But the budget appears to be huge -- extravagant sets, wardrobe, hair, and other production values. Is anyone else concerned that this type of budget may not be sustainable on daytime TV in 2025?   

1. We know they opted to save a great deal of money by choosing Atlanta.

2. Great question! 

 

5 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

And rewatching. It's giving 'great rewatch value to catch something missed.' Something I haven't seen for the most part with other soaps as of late. I could totally see me rewatching over the weekend. 

So, I watch in a live group via zoom & we, a dozen of us watch GH, talk about it & then half the group leaves & the remaining half dozen watch BTG & talk about it. But, we've already decided we're having an extra rewatch/binge of the whole week, this weekend!!!! It's too much trouble to change the name of the room from Daily Jarly Zoom but I give it subtitles in the chat some, like, today, Daily Jarly Zoom Investigates the Fairmont Crest. (Yes, we did & I need a much better graphic.) BTW, this is by far the most enjoyable way of watching soaps that I have ever experienced. I would highly recommend to any close-knit friends who share a soap love. 

14 minutes ago, Taoboi said:

 

Hehe. Same.

 

I agree. I have really enjoying watching this show. And rewatching. It's giving 'great rewatch value to catch something missed.' Something I haven't seen for the most part with other soaps as of late. I could totally see me rewatching over the weekend. 

 

But I will probably worry about the budget around when it gets renewed.  

I never rewatch soaps but I have gone out of my way to watch the show while I’m working live and then rewatch in the evening with the boo without work to distract me. He’s only watched bits and pieces of Soaps from when I’ve had them on but he was actually interested in starting this show from the beginning with me so I’ve loved that. And like you I pick up on things I missed the first time around.

Edited February 28Feb 28 by Antoyne

BTG Wardrobe

https://wornontv.net/beyond-the-gates/

and

https://www.shopyourtv.com/beyond-the-gates/

If anyone cares the actor who uttered the very first words on BTG was Shaun Mixon as FC staffer Calvin.

First lines, Episode 4:
Diego Sanchez: "Absolutely, just let me know a good day and time for you."
Tom Navarro: "I'm sure I don't have to tell you what a lucky man you are."
Mike Davis: "No kidding! Hayley's one hell of a catch."
Mystery Man: "Are you alone?" (This is character named in today's long credits but I won't spoil here)

Today was Anthony Pascarelli's first directed episode and I thought it was just as good as the previous three. 

So looking forward to this tomorrow
2/28 - 5PM ET/2PM PT
Details👇

Beyond the Gates’ Stars: Karla Mosley, Marquita Goings and Arielle Prepetit to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel - https://t.co/THq91ArU3L @karlamosley @marquitatenaya #AriellePrepetit #BeyondTheGates pic.twitter.com/7d3eG0ddUB

— MIchael Fairman (@MichaelFairman) February 28, 2025

44 minutes ago, Mona Kane Croft said:

BTG is, in my opinion, the best written and best produced soap opera on daytime.  It makes the other four look like amateurs.   How do others feel about this?

But the budget appears to be huge -- extravagant sets, wardrobe, hair, and other production values. Is anyone else concerned that this type of budget may not be sustainable on daytime TV in 2025?   What if CBS renews the show in a couple of years, but demands huge cuts in the budget??   

I would say BTG definitely has the best production of the daytime soaps (B&B has the best lighting however). I also wonder how they are sustaining this level of sets and production.

I will certainly be in the minority here, my only gripe is that BTGs plot lines are a little slow, and some of the supporting cast actors sound unnatural, like they are reciting lines.

Especially in this day and age where there's so much to watch, I think they needed to come right out of the gate like it was sweeps month.

General Hospital is not well written, but I feel slightly more gripped by the plots.

But it's just the beginning, the BTG will continue to grow. I really hope this is successful and leads to other soaps.

Edited February 28Feb 28 by Planet Soap

2 hours ago, Taoboi said:

Yassss!!! Come thru, model hair toss!!! 

You love hair tosses

2 hours ago, Taoboi said:

And go on, Dani, get you sum! lol. 

Dani got herself a new boo.

That scene was giving me 1990s R&B video energy.

1 hour ago, Antoyne said:

This devious ho 😂😂

Leslie got a plan and a plot, yes!

Edited February 28Feb 28 by kalbir

Wouldn’t it be something if whatever Martin did ten years ago contributed to the deaths of Hayley’s parents (Dani said she was an orphan), which directly led to Bill and Dani taking her in?

 

I don’t think either Hayley or Ashley look old enough to be best friends with Naomi, who in turn looks more like Dani and Nicole’s sister rather than daughter and niece respectively. They both look more of an age with the social media influencers.

 

I missed Anita and Vernon today. I’m definitely more intrigued to find out what shadiness they were up to in protecting Martin, who seems like a typical insincere politician to me.

 

I am definitely enjoying this show, but it seems to me there’s a lot of not quite natural posturing, like the characters themselves are just performing to each other.

17 minutes ago, Planet Soap said:

Especially in this day and age where there's so much to watch, I think they needed to come right out of the gate like it was sweeps month.

Which, in fact, it was.

Feb. sweeps ended last night. And, may I say Happy End of Sweeps to all who celebrate. Meanwhile, who won this Sweeps?

37 minutes ago, Alan said:

If anyone cares the actor who uttered the very first words on BTG was Shaun Mixon as FC staffer Calvin.

First lines, Episode 4:
Diego Sanchez: "Absolutely, just let me know a good day and time for you."
Tom Navarro: "I'm sure I don't have to tell you what a lucky man you are."
Mike Davis: "No kidding! Hayley's one hell of a catch."
Mystery Man: "Are you alone?" (This is character named in today's long credits but I won't spoil here)

Today was Anthony Pascarelli's first directed episode and I thought it was just as good as the previous three. 

I care. You can count on it.

Those long credits. WOW. 🥹🫨😯😲💯🏆🥇They went on & on!