While the casting news was first announced late last month, we’re now getting our first look at actress Cecelia Specht, who begins a 20-episode stint as Dr. Lia Whitmore on “Beyond the Gates.”

Described as the brilliant, battle-tested Chief of Staff at Garland Memorial Hospital, whose life takes a sharp turn, shattering her confidence and forcing her to question everything she has ever stood for, fans can look forward to Lia drawing in the Dupree family and others into her web of deceit, starting on Friday, February 13.

In a newly released clip ahead of her debut, Lia can be seen confronting Dr. Carlton Fitzgerald (Robert Christopher Riley), demanding he take action after she sarcastically notes how matchmaking seems to have overtaken medical services as the hospital’s primary use by its staff, particularly as she sees Dr. Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) and Nurse Shanice Johnson (Ernestine Johnson Morrison) acting all cute at the Nurses station. “You are all adults, and nobody is anybody’s supervisor, so it’s none of my business, until it affects patient care,” Dr. Whitmore says. “And then I have a problem, and so do you!”

Carlton can only look on with annoyance after Dr. Whitmore walks off.

Check out a preview clip below.

Specht is set to conclude her time on Fairmont Crest with the Tuesday, May 26 episode of the daytime drama series, though the date is subject to change due to unexpected scheduling changes or preemptions.

In addition to appearances in episodes of other soaps, including “The Young and the Restless” in 2010 and “Days of our Lives” in 2012, Specht’s other credits include roles on such shows as Criminal Minds,” “Revenge,” “Castle,” “No Ordinary Family,” “Dexter,” “Las Vegas,” “Being Mary Jane,” and “The Haves and the Have Nots,” among others.

Note: The post Cecelia Specht Joins ‘Beyond The Gates’ As Chief Of Staff At Garland Memorial Hospital – VIDEO first appeared on Soap Opera Network.

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She seems strong in the role, which I feel I am going to like. And given that this is a definitive timeline role, I look forward to seeing how it all plays out!