Beyond The Gates – Michele Van Jean Teases A ‘Rooted’ And ‘Messy’ Family Drama Awaits!

Beyond The Gates spoilers and updates reveal this soap is unlike any you’ve ever seen. Producer and creator Michele Van Jean teases a “rooted and messy family drama awaits!

The First Black Daytime Soap In Over 35 Years, And The First One Hour One Ever

Celebrated as the first Black daytime soap in over 35 years and the inaugural hour-long series featuring a Black ensemble, this gripping drama is set to debut on CBS February 24.

It centers around the Dupree family, spanning multiple generations, as they navigate life in an affluent suburb of Washington, D.C., one of the wealthiest African-American communities in the country.

However, beneath the polished facade of Fairmont Crest, with its luxurious dining options and elite country clubs, the Duprees’ seemingly idyllic existence is riddled with hidden truths and controversies.

The cast features Tamara Tunie (As the World Turns) in the role of matriarch Anita Dupree, and Clifton Davis (Amen) as the family patriarch Vernon Dupree.

Daphne Duplaix (Passions) portrays Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson, and Karla Mosley (The Bold and the Beautiful) Dani Dupree, representing the next generation.

Family First, In Spite Of The Drama

You’ve never encountered characters like these on daytime television before, reveals Michele Val Jean, the visionary behind the new soap.

“This is a tightly-knit, accomplished Black family, and they’re wonderfully chaotic-they’re not without their flaws; in fact, they embrace their messiness,” she explains. Val Jean emphasizes that, much like many Black families, the Duprees are fiercely loyal to one another. “Even when tensions run high and they’re not speaking, if one of them faces a crisis, the others will rally to support them-that’s the essence of our show,” Val Jean shares. “It mirrors the core of most soap operas, filled with drama, but it’s anchored in something deeper-and for us, that anchor is family.”

No Soap Tropes-At Least Not For Now

While the Duprees are notorious for their dramatic flair, Val Jean intends to steer clear of certain soap opera clichés—at least for the time being. “I envision my show as being more rooted in reality; I doubt we’ll encounter any… well, it’s tricky to predict sometimes. I don’t want to rule anything out if it fits the narrative; generally speaking, we won’t be featuring aliens or anything of that sort-it’s all about family dynamics.”

For Val Jean, crafting a soap opera centered on “wealthy Black individuals navigating their chaotic lives” has been a dream she’s nurtured for decades.

Her journey began with Generations, the groundbreaking soap that showcased a Black family, which aired on NBC from 1989 to 1991.

Her Soaps Journey Was Her Training Ground

Val Jean describes her journey as her “training ground,” which set the stage for the creation of BTG after she was approached by Sheila Ducksworth, the President of CBS Studios/NAACP Venture.

Val Jean credits Ducksworth, who is also an executive producer, as the driving force behind the project. Ducksworth expresses her wish to showcase a family like the Duprees on daytime TV, highlighting the need for more Black representation in the genre. “I felt something was missing, something I hadn’t seen before,” she shares with PEOPLE. “In soap operas, we often see just one, two, or three characters out of 40 who are culturally and racially diverse, and that’s not enough,” Ducksworth explains.

Ducksworth Continues

“I always wanted to see a more accurate reflection of real life-it’s crucial for people worldwide to see another perspective on Black life in America. I believe it’s important,” she continues-”It’s both aspirational and achievable, and that’s what we aim to showcase.”

The program showcases a diverse, multi-generational ensemble that includes actors from White, Asian, and Latinx backgrounds, along with characters representing a range of sexual identities.

Ducksworth emphasizes that audiences can anticipate a show that covers “everything,” particularly highlighting the importance of age representation, as it offers a soap opera where a broader spectrum of people is reflected.

She emphasizes that this groundbreaking series reveals the intricacies of the Black experience, offering the world a distinctive perspective.

This Is The Mecca, She Explains

We have chosen a location that is truly special-it’s the mecca; it’s a place with the highest amount of Black wealth in the country, yet it hasn’t received much attention.

These realities are important, and we are including them in our show to showcase the excellence and richness of Black culture in America.

For instance, the series features a fictional HBCU called Banneker University, named after Benjamin Banneker, a notable mathematician, astronomer, and author who made significant contributions to Washington, D.C.

While discussions about national politics and race continue, Val Jean hopes that Beyond the Gates will provide viewers with an escape from it all.

They Are Trying To Produce And Write The Most Entertaining Show Possible

We aim to create the most entertaining show we can, giving you a break for an hour, she explains. The world will still be there when the show ends, and it will remain out of your control.

But while you’re watching, you can forget everything else and dive into the lives and antics of the characters-that’s my aim during these challenging times.

I want to share stories that feel new and relevant; from the start, a key element has been aspiration, Duckworth notes. It’s strong and genuine in the soap, and I’m thrilled about that because what’s better than hope?

Hope For Living The Dream

We want viewers to see that if this is something you dream of, there are people who have achieved it; we believe this brings a lot of positivity that people can enjoy. It’s not just about aspiration or hope; it’s about the reality that these lifestyles are real.

Beyond the Gates is launching at a time when many classic soap operas are being canceled, but Val Jean and Duckworth are optimistic about its future. Duckworth expresses confidence, saying, “I don’t see why we can’t be around for 100 years,” adding that this is a fantastic time for television, not just for daytime shows.

They are excited to begin and share something fresh, new, and unique with the audience-the show will debut on CBS on February 24 and will air on weekdays at 2 p.m. ET.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with BTG right now. Come back here often for Beyond The Gates spoilers, news, and updates.