Beyond The Gates: Your Guide To Who’s Who On CBS’s New Soap!

Quantrell Colbert/CBS

CBS debuts Beyond the Gates on February 24 at 2 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. PT, the network’s first new soap in nearly four decades. (Bold and Beautiful, which premiered on March 23, 1987, was the last). The daytime drama is the brainchild of daytime vet Michele Val Jean, who’s serving as creator, executive producer and head writer, and is being executive-produced by Sheila Ducksworth. Here’s a guide to who’s who on the new show.

The Duprees

Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie)

The As the World Turns alumna (ex-Jessica Griffin) and former Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star (ex-Dr. Melinda Warner) portrays the matriarch of the Dupree clan. Anita was once a famous singer, who raised two daughters with her husband, Vernon. She’s glamorous and refined, albeit with an inner toughness that stems from her beginnings in Chicago. In describing Anita, Tunie teased during a press conference in January that she participated in alongside Daphnée Duplaix (Nicole), Karla Mosley (Dani) and Clifton Davis (Vernon), “She is a lioness when it comes to her family. She is a force of nature in their community. She is someone who is extremely loving and supportive of her children, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, I’m told. And at the same time, she is very fierce and a force to be reckoned with if you challenge her or her family. That’s Anita Dupree.”

Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis)

The retired senator is Anita’s husband and father of their two daughters. He’s a humble man who’s generous with his knowledge and experience, and was once at the forefront of the civil rights movement. Davis has had an impressive 60-year career spanning television, film, Motown and nine Broadway shows. He’s recently had recurring roles on Clipped, Godfather of Harlem and Madam Secretary. In describing Vernon, Davis said at the press conference, “This man has dignity. He’s got honor code, and he’s determined to uphold that honor, and that’s what I want people to see.”

Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnée Duplaix)

Duplaix portrays Anita and Vernon’s daughter, Nicole, a high-achieving and competitive philanthropist and psychiatrist. She’s warm and compassionate and is married to her surgeon husband. She appears to have the perfect life from the outside. In describing Nicole, Duplaix explained at the press conference, “She’s strong, she’s sensitive, she’s intuitive, she’s empathetic, but she’s also strong and powerful, and she doesn’t take any mess, which is what I feel like she gets from her mother.” Duplaix’s career has spanned over two decades. She earned an NAACP Award nomination for her role of Rachel Gannon on One Life to Live.

Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley)

Remembered for her portrayal of transgender Maya Avant on Bold and Beautiful, which earned her a nomination for an NAACP Award, Mosley plays Anita and Vernon’s other daughter, Dani. Dani is a former model turned momager, who gave up her career for love. She was the wild child of the family, is headstrong and uninhibited, and has always marched to the beat of her own drum. In describing her character, Mosley shared at the press conference, “While Dani can be messy, while she can be a bit of a tornado in the way that she deals with her feelings… and needs to express herself… she’s someone who just feels deeply. She’s quite empathic. She’s very smart. She really cares about her family. She’s very loyal. And I think she has a hard time understanding when people are not — [when they] don’t fit into the boxes that she’s created.”

The Richardsons

Ted Richardson (Maurice Johnson)

A plastic surgeon with an ultra-exclusive private practice, Ted is the husband of Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson and father of Martin and Katherine. Ted has an impeccable life with his wife, who he loves passionately, and feels secure that his past will never disrupt his perfect world. Johnson’s credits include Chicago Fire, Good Girls and To Catch a Killer.

Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon)

Nicole and Ted’s son and the older brother of Katherine “Kat,” Martin is a congressman. He lives outside “the gates” in a Washington, D.C., brownstone that he shares with his husband and their two adopted children. He followed his grandfather’s path into politics and aspires to be the first openly gay Black President. Claybon has appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Tyler Perry’s Zatima and General Hospital (where he appeared as the physical therapist of Donnell Turner’s Curtis Ashford, who had been paralyzed by a bullet).

Katherine “Kat” Richardson (Colby Muhammad)

Kat is Nicole and Ted’s miracle baby and Martin’s little sister. She resides in her parents’ guest house. Indulged her whole life, Kat is entitled and dismissive of those she considers beneath her. She’s confident and secure, but doesn’t like to share. However, the day when she is forced to may be fast approaching. Muhammad recently starred in the first national tour of the hit Broadway play Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.

Andre Hamilton (Sean Freeman)

Ted’s sophisticated nephew, Andre lost his parents in a plane crash and inherited a double fortune. He leads a blissful life as a photographer and is a playboy. He’s smooth on the surface, but there’s something elusive about him that makes people occasionally question his intentions. Nicole and Ted stepped up for him when his parents died, and he depends on their support and advice. Freeman’s credits include Finding Happy, Tales and Boxed In.

The Hamiltons

Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett)

Bill, Dani’s former husband and father to Naomi and Chelsea, is an opportunist, publicity hound and narcissist, according to his ex. A charismatic and calculated criminal defense attorney, he’s well-connected and gets what he wants by any means necessary. Durrett’s credits include Cheaper by the Dozen, Queen Sugar and Stuck with You.

Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne (Arielle Prepetit)

Naomi, Dani and Bill’s oldest daughter and Chelsea’s older sister, lives outside “the gates” in Washington, D.C. She’s whip smart and serves as a civil attorney. As the only one in the Dupree family who’s inherited her grandmother Anita’s gift for singing, the pair share a special bond. Prepetit’s credits include BMF, Found and The System.

Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla)

Chelsea is Dani and Bill’s daughter and Naomi’s younger sister. The social media influencer has been a successful, albeit reluctant, high fashion model since she was 18. Her career was guided by her former model mom. Chelsea’s wealth allows her to follow her dream of designing a line of purses and building her brand, as well as enjoy the good things in life. Mantilla recently starred in Harmony the Musical on Broadway.

Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings)

Bill’s new fiancée and a paralegal at his firm, Hayley is gorgeous, intelligent and witty. While considered a husband-stealing tramp in Dani’s circle, Hayley exudes the confidence to try to win over the naysayers. But if she can’t, so what? She has what matters: Bill. Goings’s credits include Woke and Tyler Perry’s Zatima.

The Thomases

Dana “Leslie” Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant)

A long-time waitress and bartender, Leslie is Eva’s mother. Although intense and not wrapped too tight, she appears charming to others. The one person who sees what’s disturbing about her is Eva, and soon everyone will, too. Mann-Grant’s credits include Family Business and A Royal Christmas Surprise.

Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle)

Leslie’s daughter and Nicole’s new assistant, Eva has her own intensity and purpose. She’s driven to right a grievous wrong done to her mother as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Michelle’s credits include The Runarounds, Running Point and Snowfall.

The Others

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges)

A robbery/homicide detective with the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, Jacob hails from a family of law enforcement. He’s proud of his wife, Naomi, and devoted to serving the community and seeking justice for victims. Hordges’s credits include Grown-ish, 9-1-1 and The Resident.

Bradley “Smitty” Smith (Mike Manning)

Bradley is a househusband who’s raised his teenage children, Tyrell and Samantha, with Martin. With the kids grown, he’s eager to revive his career as a reporter, but worried about breaking the news to his husband. Smitty is a great father who has guided his children with warmth and humor. Manning’s credits include The Bay (Caleb), Days of our Lives (ex-Charlie) and This Is Us.

Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli)

A high-end real estate agency owner, who specializes in luxury property, Vanessa is Nicole’s best friend and Dani’s neighbor. The mother of twins, she’s stuck in a loveless marriage with her high school sweetheart. Buglioli’s credits include Bad Monkey, Florida Man and A Jazzman’s Blues.

Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob)

Ashley is Naomi’s best friend and the only child of a young single mother. Positive, cheerful and independent, she works as a nurse at Washington D.C.’s Garland Memorial Hospital. Jacob’s credits include The Union and Law & Order: Organized Crime.

Derek Baldwin (Ben Gavin)

A devoted firefighter and Jacob’s best friend, Derek is in a relationship with Ashley. He’s a fearless man who holds nothing back and can fix almost anything. Gavin’s credits include Super 8, The Dark Tower, My Christmas Love and Missing at 17.

Tomas “Tom” Navarro (Alex Alegria)

A handsome and confident young attorney at Bill’s law firm, Tomas has an eye for Kat. Alegria’s credits include CSI and Gossip Girl.

Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom)

Joey is a charming casino owner from the other side of the tracks. As Lindstrom winked on X (formerly Twitter), “Call him an ‘entrepreneur’ … unless you owe him money. Joey owns a casino and, much like me, one thing he doesn’t like is debt.” The actor has a long list of soap credits, including his long runs as Kevin Collins and Ryan Chamberlain on General Hospital and his stint on ATWT as Craig Montgomery.

Pamela Curtis (Cady McClain)

Pamela is Dani’s best friend. McClain has appeared on four soaps — All My Children, where she played Dixie Cooney Martin; ATWT, where she played Rosanna Cabot; Young and Restless, where she played Kelly Andrews; and DAYS, where she played Jennifer Horton Deveraux — and made Daytime Emmy history when she became the first actress to win statuettes for three different roles on three different shows (AMC, ATWT and DAYS).