CBS has added 10 new cast members for upcoming daytime soap opera “Beyond the Gates.”
Joining the show are: Brandon Claybon (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “General Hospital”), Timon Durrett (“Queen Sugar,” “Stuck With You”), Sean Freeman (“Finding Happy,” “Tales”), Marquita Goings (“Zatima,” “Woke”), Maurice Johnson (“Chicago Fire,” “To Catch a Killer”), Trisha Mann-Grant (“The Family Business,” “A Royal Christmas Surprise”), RhonniRose Mantilla (Broadway’s “Harmony the Musical”), Ambyr Michelle (“Snowfall,” “The Runarounds”), Colby Muhammad (Broadway’s “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”), and Arielle Prepetit (“Found,” “BMF”).
Full character descriptions can be found below.
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The new additions join previously announced cast members Tamara Tunie, Daphnee Duplaix, and Karla Mosley. “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.
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The official logline for the series 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.
THE RICHARDSONS
–Maurice Johnson stars as Ted Richardson, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson’s (Duplaix) husband and father to Martin (Claybon) and Katerine “Kat” (Muhammad). Ted is a brilliant plastic surgeon with an ultra-exclusive private practice and women clamor to put their faces and bodies in what they call his blessed hands. Ted has created an impeccable life with his wife – whom he loves passionately – and sleeps well at night, secure that his past will never disrupt his perfect world.
–Brandon Claybon stars as Martin Richardson, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson and Ted Richardson’s son and older brother of Katherine “Kat” Richardson. Martin is a congressman who lives outside “the gates” in a Washington, D.C., brownstone with his husband and two adopted children. Following his grandfather’s path into politics, he has ambition to be the first openly gay Black President.
–Colby Muhammad stars as Katherine “Kat” Richardson, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson and Ted Richardson’s miracle baby. She is the younger sister of Martin Richardson and lives in her parents’ guest house. Kat’s been indulged all her life, which has made her spoiled, entitled and dismissive of those she considers beneath her. She’s confident and secure and has never doubted herself or her privileged position in the world. She doesn’t like to share but doesn’t know that the day when she is forced to may be fast approaching.
–Sean Freeman stars as Andre Hamilton, the sophisticated nephew of Ted Richardson. Andre tragically lost his parents in a plane crash and inherited a double fortune, which allows him to live his bliss as a photographer. Nicole and Ted stepped up for Andre when his parents died, and he depends on their support and wise counsel. A playboy who is smooth on the surface, there is something elusive about Andre that occasionally makes people question his intentions.
THE HAMILTONS
–Timon Durrett stars as Bill Hamilton, Dani Dupree’s (Mosley) ex-husband and father to Naomi (Prepetit) and Chelsea (Mantilla). Bill is an opportunist, publicity hound and narcissist, according to his ex-wife, Dani. He is a charismatic and calculated criminal defense attorney who is well-connected, well-received and gets what he wants by any means necessary.
–Arielle Prepetit stars as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne, Dani Dupree and Bill Hamilton’s oldest daughter and Chelsea’s older sister. Naomi lives outside “the gates” in Washington, D.C., where she humbly serves as a civil attorney. She’s whip smart and the only one in the Dupree family who inherited her grandmother Anita Dupree’s gift for singing, which bonds them.
–RhonniRose Mantilla stars as Chelsea Hamilton, Dani Dupree and Bill Hamilton’s youngest daughter and Naomi’s younger sister. Chelsea is a social media influencer and has been a successful but reluctant high fashion model since she was 18. Her career expertly guided by Dani, Chelsea is charged with recreating the life her mother gave up, which doesn’t fit her own life vision. She has a lot of money, which allows her to follow her dream of designing a line of purses and building her brand. Chelsea indulges in the good things in life, like beautiful people, parties, her new condo in D.C. and the freedom to experiment.
–Marquita Goings stars as Hayley Lawson, a paralegal at Bill Hamilton’s firm. Hayley is gorgeous, intelligent, charming, witty and the new fiancée of Dani Dupree’s ex-husband, Bill Hamilton. Considered a husband-stealing tramp in Dani’s circle, Hayley is nothing if not confident. With time, patience, charm and effort, she will try to win them over – and if not, so what? Hayley has what matters: Bill.
THE THOMASES
–Trisha Mann-Grant stars as Dana “Leslie” Thomas, Eva Thomas’ (Michelle) mom and a long-time waitress and bartender. Dana “Leslie” is not wrapped all that tight and intense, but she’s charming and easy out in the world. The only person who sees what’s disturbing about her is her daughter, Eva, and very soon all will see what is unsettling about her, too.
–Ambyr Michelle stars as Eva Thomas, Dana “Leslie” Thomas’ daughter and Nicole Dupree Richardson’s new assistant, who vibrates with intensity and purpose. Eva is determined to right a grievous wrong done to her mother as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
