‘Beyond the Gates’: CBS Daytime Soap Opera Adds 7 Cast Members

CBS has set the final new cast members for its upcoming daytime soap opera “Beyond the Gates.”

Legendary actor and Tony & Grammy Award nominee Clifton Davis (“Madam Secretary,” “Godfather of Harlem”) has signed on to the series, as have Alex Alegria (“CSI,” “Gossip Girl”), Lauren Bugliogli (“Bad Monkey,” “Florida Man”), Ben Gavin (“Super 8,” “The Dark Tower”), Jibre Hordges (“Grown-ish,” “9-1-1”), Jen Jacob (“The Union,” “Law & Order: Organized Crime”), and Mike Manning (“The Bay,” “Days of Our Lives”).

Full character descriptions can be found below.

The new additions will appear alongside previously announced cast members Tamara Tunie, Daphnee Duplaix, Karla Mosley, Brandon Claybon, Timon Kyle Durrett, Sean Freeman, Marquita Goings, Maurice Johnson, Trisha Mann-Grant, RhonniRose Mantilla, Ambyr Michelle, Colby Muhammad and Arielle Prepetit.

“Beyond the Gates” was originally picked up to series at CBS back in April. As previously reported, the show was developed under CBS Studios’ content partnership with the NAACP. The show will begin production in November and will premiere in early 2025.

The show’s official logline states:

“‘Beyond the Gates’ is set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C., and in one of 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 that 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.”

“Beyond the Gates” is created by Michele Val Jean, who also serves as executive producer and showrunner. Sheila Ducksworth, who leads the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, also executive produces along with Robert Guza Jr., Julie Carruthers, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Kimberly Doebereiner and Anna Saalfeld. The series is produced in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble.

Character Descriptions

–Clifton Davis stars as Vernon Dupree, the Dupree family patriarch married to Anita (Tunie) and father to Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Duplaix) and Dani Dupree (Mosley). A venerable former senator, Vernon is gentle, humble and generous with his knowledge and experience. Retired now, Vernon was at the forefront of the civil rights movement.

–Jibre Hordges stars as Jacob Hawthorne, Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne’s (Prepetit) husband and a robbery/homicide detective with the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Jacob hails from a family of law enforcement. He is proud of his wife, the family he comes from, serving the community and seeking justice for victims.

–Mike Manning stars as Bradley “Smitty” Smith, husband to Congressman Martin Richardson (Claybon) and father to teenagers Tyrell and Samantha. A former political reporter turned househusband, Smitty is a fantastic dad who has guided his children with warmth and good humor. Smitty is thinking of resuming his writing career but is hesitant to tell Martin, who likes their home life the way it is.

–Jen Jacob stars as Ashley Morgan, Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne’s best friend, who is the only child of a young single mother. Ashley was a latchkey kid who has never been afraid of rolling up her sleeves. She is a nurse at Washington D.C.’s Garland Memorial Hospital and has the perfect temperament for her profession – positive, cheerful, brisk, resourceful and independent. She can be serious but is also fun-loving with a smile that lights up a room.

–Ben Gavin stars as Derek Baldwin, a devoted firefighter in a relationship with Ashley Morgan (Jacob) and best friend to Jacob Hawthorne (Hordges). Derek is fearless, holds nothing back and goes into a zone when he fights fire – which is almost personal for him rather than just a professional calling. Incredibly handy, Derek can fix almost anything.

–Lauren Bugliogli stars as Vanessa McBride, a high-end real estate agency owner who specializes in luxury property and is neighbors with Dani Dupree and best friend to Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson. The mother of twins, Vanessa is in a loveless marriage with her high school sweetheart.

–Alex Alegria stars as Tomas “Tom” Navarro, a handsome and confident young attorney at Bill Hamilton’s (Durrett) law firm. Tomas has an eye for Katherine “Kat” Richardson (Muhammad).