On Monday, February 24, 2025, CBS premiered the first new network soap opera in more than 25 years with "Beyond the Gates." The daytime drama series is now celebrating its first anniversary.

Share your thoughts on the one-year anniversary of this new series, and what you think it has accomplished, or needs to accomplish as it continues.

What an accomplishment!

The best thing is the characters. I feel as attached to most of them as the ones on the longtime soaps.

I'd like to see the pacing improve. Some stories felt rushed while others drag on. Nothing feels really high stakes, but yet the day to day dialogue and interactions are engaging.

Wow, one year already. What a ride it's been.

I'm looking forward to the Y&R crossover.

Honestly, seeing a soap from the beginning of production to DAY ONE of airing has been a blessing. Yes, it's had its ups and downs, but overall, it's been a true joy seeing Beyond the Gates kick off with classic, pre-Dynasty-era soap storytelling from a character-driven focus. I can only hope they continue on the up-and-up as 2026 continues to roll on with their second year. Let's keep this amazing work up!

As a fan of the genre from as long as I can remember and as someone that has witnessed the cancellations of so many shows since the 80s, I was beyond excited when it was announced a new show was coming. It felt like a tide had been turned. I wasn't sure if I'd like the show or not, but was willing to support it just because and I have to say I love the show. I enjoy it even more than I thought I might. It has become my daily fix that I have lacked since the days of AW (my show!) and then on to OLTL until that was cancelled.

Yes, the show has had its ups and downs and definitely took a while to get its groove going. Considering the production was in Atlanta and many involved had to learn the production of a soap opera, it has now come together. I can't wait to watch the next episode and I haven't said that about a soap in a long time. I also watch Y&R and B&B, but honestly, I could go days without them and not be upset. BTG, though, I want to watch the next ep. I feel it's the most well-rounded and the stories move without too much repetition as the other two. The one thing BTG does that I love is that it feels like a community (especially lately) where the characters flow in and out of each other's orbits like one would in a community. For examples, the free clinic and plasma stories are pulling in characters together that hadn't mixed it up before and it's interesting to me. Then you have the Hayley mess that is pulling in Lynette, Randy, Joey, Mona, Tomas, etc.

I can't wait to watch more and I hope there are many years to come. How crazy will Leslie get? Will Kat and Eva ever have a true catfight? Is Doug truly dead? How about Kenny?

Happy 1-year anniversary to BTG! I'm just thankful we got a brand-new soap in this day and age. Here's to another year! 🥂

I think the one thing that comes to mind which I think is already starting is a rival family for the Duprees to play off of. That’s where Anastasia and her granddaughter are coming to play I think.

It’s definitely crazy a whole year has passed since we were introduced to the miracle of actually seeing a brand new soap on air!

here’s an interesting assessment of the first year. echos much of what’s been said here.

tom lisanti on btg year one

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by wonderwoman1951

Lisanti is off about Martin and Smitty IMO, they've been pretty intimate/demonstrative after the first few months, including a couple hot and heavy love scenes. And I adore Kat of course.

I don't even know where to begin expressing how much BTG has meant to me. From the initial announcement that is was in development, to it getting picked up to series, the entire process helped me during some of the toughest times of my life. Immersing myself into all things BTG helped distract me when my Mom was very ill. My Mom got to see my excitement and in turn she became excited.

Throughout 2024 my Mom was a warrior and fought to get well. We would have our conversation about the soaps, blocking out all the chaos of the world and as my Mom slowly began to build up her strength 2025 rolled around and the premiere happened in February. My Mom thought Dani was a hot mess but she enjoyed Dani's madness and all of her antics during premiere week.

Sadly, my Mom passed in July, 2025 but again, BTG in some odd way gave me comfort as my heart shattered into a trillion pieces. Grief is definitely a weird thing but for an hour a day I looked forward to visiting Fairmont Crest and I felt like it was something I was still sharing with my Mom.

Happy Anniversary, Beyond The Gates and thank you so very much. Here's to many more years of anniversaries, celebrations and mayhem in Fairmont Crest.

26 minutes ago, skiman12082004 said:

I don't even know where to begin expressing how much BTG has meant to me. From the initial announcement that is was in development, to it getting picked up to series, the entire process helped me during some of the toughest times of my life. Immersing myself into all things BTG helped distract me when my Mom was very ill. My Mom got to see my excitement and in turn she became excited.

Throughout 2024 my Mom was a warrior and fought to get well. We would have our conversation about the soaps, blocking out all the chaos of the world and as my Mom slowly began to build up her strength 2025 rolled around and the premiere happened in February. My Mom thought Dani was a hot mess but she enjoyed Dani's madness and all of her antics during premiere week.

Sadly, my Mom passed in July, 2025 but again, BTG in some odd way gave me comfort as my heart shattered into a trillion pieces. Grief is definitely a weird thing but for an hour a day I looked forward to visiting Fairmont Crest and I felt like it was something I was still sharing with my Mom.

Happy Anniversary, Beyond The Gates and thank you so very much. Here's to many more years of anniversaries, celebrations and mayhem in Fairmont Crest.

Such a powerful story, thank you for sharing... and may your mom rest in peace. ❤️

I would say that the show has nicely been building a world that goes beyond just the Duprees and beyond the gates. Since 'season 2' started, we're starting to build up the supporting characters and interactions that aren't 100 percent tied to any of the Duprees.. and so far, it's been a success.

16 minutes ago, alwaysAMC said:

Such a powerful story, thank you for sharing... and may your mom rest in peace. ❤️

Thank you so very much.