User reviews

From episode one, Beyond the Gates made it clear that this is a Soap Opera that didn't come to play around. We were given an introduction into not only the Dupree family and their lives, but also those around them who are not in the Fairmont Crest circle. The cast is amazing and incredibly diverse. Karla Mosley as Dani Dupree has been absolutely INCREDIBLE. And of course so has the beautiful Tamara Tunie who plays the Matriarch Anita Dupree. Everyone is fantastic! Plus there are no silos! Everyone interacts with EVERYONE on this show. And I can already feel how everyone is or will be connected to each other. Whether you love Soap Operas or not, you will enjoy this show!

Admittedly, I was apprehensive about this new Daytime Drama but, as soon as I saw the name of Tamara Tunie (who portrays Anita Dupree, a character far removed from her previous daytime role of Jessica Griffith on As The World Turns), I knew this was going to be a very classy production! And, I was right! This is a well-cast, well-written show about an affluent Black American family dynasty (No pun intended) with some of the usual trials and tribulations associated with daytime TV, and Tunie, along with Clifton Davis (That's My Mama) as the matriarch and patriarch of the wealthy and politically powerful Dupree family, makes it all the more classier! A week and a half into this, and I'm already hooked! Definitely give the show a chance!

I love all the story lines but I don't think the gay couple has any chemistry. Everyone else is extremely believable but these two just don't cut it. It's like they don't even like each other, no matter what the lines are. It really is uncomfortable watching them. Not sure if they are bad actors, or just bad together. Very clever show. It's nice to see a new soap opera and not a new reality show. It didn't take long at all to get to know the characters and there story lines. That shows great writing. I recognize a few from general hospital, past and present. It's nice to have something new to watch. I look forward to it every day.

Unlike other genres, soap operas, serials or daytime dramas need time to progress and evolve.i have high hopes for this series. The production value is first rate. There are companies putting in a lot on their investment and I hope it works out. Soap veteran Tamara Tunie was perfectly cast to play the Dupree matriarch and I could watch her in anything. Here she gets the respect and due of an actress of her caliber. Clifton Davis was better known for his sitcom roles is also brilliantly cast as the Dupree patriarch. Karla Mosley is also a soap veteran too. Hopefully the show will last.its nice to see daytime drama again. The Atlanta based soap is going all out.

This is fresh and new. The writing is excellent and it gives a feel of 90's soap. The cast is great and the first week bright so many questions that I need answered. This is how I know I'm hooked. Others want to bad mouth Beyond The Gates, but they are simply scared of the competition. For years African Americans have watched soaps and see very little representation. Now we have a choice and we don't have to watch a soap that doesn't respect the viewers. I want to watch a show where I can see myself and not once a week. Bravo CBS, bravo Michele Val Jean, bravo NAACP. I am do excited to see the future of this soap!!!!

The first episode was a bit slow in the beginning, but since the last scene of the first episode the show has been on 10 for me. The second and third episode have, for me, provided more insight into all of characters and the role that they play. I am interested in was secret Vanessa is hiding. Overall, I am pleased with the show. I can't wait to see what else exists within and Beyond The Gates.

Just a side note, I feel like Leslie may have a split personality or some type of mental illness. Also, I really wonder what Martin may have done and did that impact Leslie and Eva's lives. I can't wait to what happens.

Congratulation to CBS, BTG cast and crew! From the opening moments of this visually delicious soap, I was hooked! Beautifully cast with some of the most gorgeous women and handsome men in the business. In such a short time, I was drawn in with interesting storylines that appear fresh, original, and mysterious. Cheers to the stunning interior design and look of the sets. Not only are they modern, well lit, warm and cozy, but add a dose of visual reality that other older soaps can't offer. Kudos to hair, make up, and costume design bringing each character their own individuality. A perfect guilty pleasure for these crazy times! Cheers and have fun watching BTG!!

This show has everything I had been missing in daytime soaps! Drama, excellent writing, great pacing and love in the afternoon with sexy people. I can't wait to learn more about the residents beyond and outside the gates. The first week had a bit of exposition. These are new characters so that was nice, it laid the foundation and it's a solid foundation. There are a few standout characters. We are seeing the origins of villains with much more to come. I love all of the characters so far even those I don't like, hello Bill Hamilton. That guy is a snake but every soap needs a villain like him. Will he be redeemed? I don't know but I know Dani deserves better.

I really wanted to like this, even though I don't like soap operas. It is so good see a minority-led series with Black people in positions of prominence and status. I was also excited to see Tamara Tunie in a leading role.

First, I don't know how anyone can watch these episodes in real time. There are so many ads. I record it and it is still irritating having to fast forward through ads every five minutes.

Secondly, I hate the way it jumps from scene to scene with each scene having no connection to the other.

Lastly, some of the acting is terrible. Some of the actors overact while others underact. There were some "gotcha" moments that could've wowed the audience if the actors had put some excitement into them. The acting seems forced and unrealistic. I don't know. The story is plausible, although not unique. We know this story, and we know how it will end.

At this writing I have watched the first nine episodes. I want to hang on to see all the secrets and scandals exposed.

Maybe I am not wowed because I don't like soap operas.

I was so excited about this new soap, but the acting is so cheesy and really disappointing to say the least. I'm still watching and trying to give it chance. Compared to other soaps, the acting is just so forced that it comes across as fake. I do love the inclusion and the basis of the plot. I will continue to watch and post updates. I'm still holding out hope that it gets better. Hopefully the new will wear off and nervous jitters fade and this becomes one of my favorite soaps. After all, I did and still have high hopes. I always give a show a chance and I'm going to do just that. The actors have so much potential here.

I was a little apprehensive at first. From some of the previews that I saw, I was concerned about the quality of the acting and possible rehash of standard soap storylines. Maybe they did some reshoots because I'm not seeing the cringe factor I was anticipating. I mostly tuned in because I've always been a fan of Clifton Davis. It'll be nice to see him in an acting role on a regular basis again and I'm glad to see that this time he didn't drag Thelma along. The matriarch is played by Tamara Tunie and I vaguely remember her from "As the World Turns" but she convincingly portrays the strong matriarch of the Dupree family. I almost wish the characters would wear age badges. I can't tell who's supposed to be 25, 35 or 45. Hayley is too short to be with Bill, looks too old to be friends with Naomi and actually seems too nice to be the evil husband stealer. But it will be interesting to see how it is played out. After the first week, I am already hooked! Love that I can not miss an episode since it's streaming on Paramount.

I was hoping we would get a better representation than what I just watched. The acting is horrible, even though these are/were some of the best actors. I guess it must be writing. I understand what they were trying to do. They are trying to bring in a black audience but this isn't it. I understand any new show needs an audience to maintain it, but they are reaching in this one. A couple of A list actors, a handful of B list actors and the others so far down the alphabet that you can't even name the group. They systemically got rid of soaps that were on for decades to give us this? I'd rather watch The View than this drivel.

Love this soap and I've been watching soaps for a while. New and different stories. Washington DC surrounding gated communities are definitely like this now. I love the styling, the hair, makeup and the writing. It's very us! And the drama is on point too, can't wait for the next episode. The other soaps on are super boring in comparison. It's no wonder the ratings for the other soaps are in the toilet. However, Beyond the Gates is bringing soaps back. Messed up weddings, cheating husbands, long lost children is classic soaps but other storylines ground it in 2025 with the use of social media.

Being an elderly white woman, I know I'm not the demographic you're hoping for but I LOVE this show. We just returned from 17 days out of the country, but I taped every single episode and am gloriously binge-watching. Clifton Davis is just as talented and debonair as he was on his show with Melba Moore back in the day. And Tamara Tunie never fails to please - gorgeous and elegant, she's been a joy since her SVU days cutting up cadavers (watching her rap for Naomi was worth the price of admission ... wait ,,, there is no price for admission but I'd pay it anyway). Dani is probably my new heroine - she's the new Erica Kane/Susan Lucci - (is it possible for a young woman to be that beautiful and gifted all in one package?), I love to hate Bill, and the rest of the cast is sublime. The writing is consistently compelling with never a boring scene. While I might not be within your chosen demographic, I do have a big mouth. Every one of my friends, as well as our three daughters, get an update on BTG several times a week and encouragement to tune in for themselves. Keep 'em coming!

Like all new soaps/series, it takes a moment to get invested in the characters. But, I am all in now. The characters are beautiful, diverse, sexy, multigenerational, complex and very easy on the eyes! Loving the storylines and plots! It's very nice to see some familiar faces/talent from other soaps, but I am also really enjoying seeing and getting to know the new and refreshing faces/characters. The villains are doing a great job of getting under my skin and making me hate them.🤣 My friends and I are talking about the show quite a bit and more and more every day. Although, I watch several soaps I'm very excited about where this one is going! Keep it coming!!!!

I've watched this show from launch and I am *hooked*. I haven't seen any soap this good since OLTL in the 80s and 90s, a show 8 still miss dearly.

I am not the primary target demographic for this show. I'm an older white woman, but even though the show focuses on Black families, issues and culture, I have no problem relating to the characters or the stories being told through them.

There are a few actors who need to liven up a bit, but aside the cast has really started to gel. And the more experienced performers are just knocking it out of the park!¹

The fashion and sets are luxurious, as they should be for the upper class lives these characters live.

I can't recommend this show enough to any fan of soap opera. Seriously, check it out!

I like the stylish clothes the actors wear. Clifton Davis's character the Senator fought for civil rights, supported violent tactics. It's hard to believe he'd raise his daughter Dani to be so selfish, spoiled. I mean marriages split up, people fall in, out of love. Now is it believable that the Dupree's could control the whole community of Faircrest tell them who to associate with, who not to associate with. I mean this is 2025, not the 1940s, 50s of Sugar Hill in Harlem. Producers, Writers get a grip, write some believable storylines. Don't copy off of other storylines. What did the Dupree's buy everyone's house in their community? I'm on the 4th episode, be more CREATIVE.

Growing up I never was a fan of so soap operas. Only thing I remember is that they just use to be on television while I was sick home from school. I know that there are many people who grow up watching so "the stories" with their parents and loved it, but I wasn't one of them.

This show beyond the gates has brought me into the world of soap opera drama with the advice from my mom. I have to say that this is a excellent show. It's a probably be the only soap opera I will ever watch but for someone who stayed far away from the dramas this ignited me and I'm glad that I'm here.

The acting is phenomenal, the storyline is even better and the cast of African-Americans was the icing on the cake. I also love the cool, the young, the vibey parts to it that will encourage younger viewers to watch. I hope everyone enjoys it for what it is...it's a good show.

As someone who's watched soap operas most of her life, I've seen many come and go. This one is no different. I understand that they wanted to do something different and wrap it around the African-American community, but by doing that, you may also turn off some viewers who may be looking for other people who resemble them, too. I think it would've been much better if they had cast 50% African-Americans, and 50% of other races.

I really don't care for the lighting either. It's very dull. The hospital set is almost embarrassing as it looks like a hospital that you would see on a play stage.

The writing is really poor, and at sometimes, laughable. There were no long conversations to introduce the characters at the beginning. There were just short conversations regarding irritations and divisions within the family and community. There's no chemistry between the characters, except for Clifton Davis and Tamara Tunie, the patriarch and matriarch of the family, and their acting is unimpeachable. But other than that, there's absolutely no sensuality within any of the characters, particularly with the actors playing Ashley Morgan and Derek Baldwin. They could've easily cast those roles with attractive actors with a lot of sex appeal, but it's almost like they chose from the bottom of the barrel.

I was really hoping that this could be something good. But I'm afraid it's nothing special, which is disappointing. (And note: I question the "10" ratings. I can't help but think those were written by people involved with the show or know someone who is. There is nothing new and explosive with this show, and the cast is a C- or D+. They could've done SO much better.)

Beautiful Actors and Actresses. The camera, lighting, sets, and wardrobe are remind me of Tyler Perry plays combined with 'The Haves and Have Nots' on OWN, sometimes I expect Tyler Perry or Madea to pop out.

There is nothing different. Husband has affair, wife gets mad sleeps with hunky new man few days later. Fill in with other issues like this doesn't happen in my affluent community. Seek revenge. Same cycle repeats I am sure as the series goes on with the different characters. Queen Val hasn't changed storytelling in Soap Opera world, just managed to make new characters and moved it to a new location. Stick with the characters you are already know at General Hospital, Bold and the Beautiful, and Young and the Restless. You will be better off, at least you know the people and the storyline and won't have to try to remember new characters and who does what and who is who. Stick with the tried and true, especially if it is basically all the same thing. So disappointed.

"Step into the opulent world of Beyond the Gates, a gripping drama set within a fictional, gated community in the affluent suburbs bordering Washington, D. C. This Maryland-set series chronicles the lives of the prestigious Dupree family - Vernon, Anita, Nicole, and Dani - a multi-generational powerhouse considered by many to be 'Black royalty.' Beyond the Gates distinguishes itself with its brisk pacing, a refreshing throwback to classic soaps where every moment counts. The narrative eschews tedious flashbacks, trusting the audience to follow its intricate plot twists. True to its soap opera roots, the show delivers on familiar tropes: simmering family rivalries, deeply buried hidden secrets, and complex romantic entanglements. For instance, the tension surrounding Vernon's past business dealings and their potential impact on the family's reputation forms a compelling central conflict. The show's opulent set design and elegant costumes effectively convey the wealth and prestige of the Dupree family.

Anita Dupree, portrayed with captivating nuance by Tamara Tunie, emerges as a standout character. Her presence alone commands attention, a delicate balance of icy composure and fiery resolve. Beneath her genteel façade lies a formidable force, and those who dare to challenge her quickly learn their error. As Tamara Tunie stated in an interview with Soap Opera Digest, "Anita believes in maintaining control, both within her family and her world. She understands that power isn't always loud; sometimes, it's a whisper." Marking a significant milestone as the first Black-led daytime soap opera in 35 years, Beyond the Gates represents a significant step forward in representation within the daytime soap genre. Beyond being a compelling drama, it offers a contemporary lens on family dynamics and societal expectations within affluent Black communities. It's a must-watch for fans of dramatic, fast-paced storytelling and especially for those who appreciate complex, powerful female characters. Watch Beyond the Gates on CBS."

I'm not a soap opera fan and this show confirms it. Not really interested in the storylines/writing. Couldn't get through the 2nd episode but in typical soap fashion, you could easily predict what's going to happen in each of their lives. Characters are dry. They seemed to be repeating the same conversations with the same characters. Spent way too much time on the Dani/Haley/Bill saga. I like the actors and the acting is decent. However, some of the actors didn't look the age they were portraying. Was nice to see the diversity. There's way too many TV dramas series out that are intriguing and captivating enough to put this one on the back burner.

The characters are so preachy and take themselves way, way too seriously. Instead of conversations they are prone to deliver speeches. What the directors should have done is embrace the campiness of the scripts and situations and play into the ridiculousness of it all. It could have become a cult classic.

Some of the actors are veterans, but many have much less experience. By making the series tongue-in-cheek, the difference would be much less noticeable. I laugh at moments that I know are not supposed to be funny, so again, in the right hands "Beyond the Gates" could have been genius. Better luck next time.

As an experienced past soap opera watcher, I can say that I did not have high expectations for this new soap. First of all, soaps have gone the way of westerns---passe and boring. Maybe okay for retired women and shut-ins who have nothing better to do and are not reading books or watching more educational programming. It is just the old nighttime television show of Dynasty cloaked in a predominantly black cast and promoting, like many commercials in the past 5 years, interracial relationships. Fancy costumes, make-up, lots of wigs. I do sympathize with people who want to watch as the daytime is basically a 24 hour news cycle, game shows and if you are not paying for cable TV--you don't have much of selection.