Soap opera fans, we are getting closer and closer to the release of CBS’s new Daytime Drama Beyond the Gates. Over the last couple of weeks, we have been getting some good stuff that has only made the anticipation grow for this show, which centers on a wealthy Black family—the Duprees. Thus far, we have been treated to loads of promo, including a behind-the-scenes look on CBS Sunday Morning, where we got to see some of the 27 sets on the studio lot. This preview also featured interviews with creator Michele Val Jean, executive producer Sheila Ducksworth, and stars Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis, Karla Mosley, and Daphnee Duplaix. And now, we have an official trailer.
The two-minute trailer for Beyond the Gates gave us some great footage that has us screaming, “Is it February 24th yet?” I personally have watched the trailer several times, and I have picked up on goodies each time. That being said, I felt it was necessary to break down the five things I learned from the official trailer for Beyond the Gates.
1. The Black Excellence Is Real
One of the things we immediately notice when the trailer for Beyond the Gates opens is the Black excellence. From the moment Nicole’s car drives through the Fairmont Crest Country Club gates, we see Black Royalty. The Dupree family is dressed to the nines, and it’s clear they are the respected family everyone knows. The wealth is overflowing, and the fashion is giving runway.
These are successful Black people being shown leading successful lives. We see fashion designers and Black-owned businesses galore. And that doesn’t just extend to the Dupree family. There are other characters who I look forward to meeting when the show premieres so I can get more details about them, but it is clear that the people involved with this series heard what we wanted, and they are about to deliver.
2. Dani Dupree Is Not To Be Messed With
Dani Dupree, Anita and Vernon’s youngest daughter, is a firecracker. She was once a model but gave up her career to raise a family. She’s also known as the wild child. And from her scenes throughout the trailer, we can see that. Based on the scenes, Dani is in a contentious separation from her ex-husband Bill, played by Timon Durrett. And from the looks of things, I wonder if Dani personally knows Bill’s new lady love. One thing is sure: because the two must live in the same neighborhood, it will make for some riveting drama.
3. Danger Is All Around
Some things that make for a good soap are intrigue, drama, mystery, and danger. And we got some brief glimpses of that as we saw Bill on Vernon’s doorstep telling him that he’s done a lot of favors for him and his family, and now he owes him one. We wonder just what those favors were and what Bill now demands of Vernon. Whatever it is, it can’t be good, and the even bigger question is: are Vernon’s wife and daughters even aware of the favors Bill has done? If not, those reveals will be something. We can’t wait. In the trailer, there was also a young woman being run off the road and the appearance of a gun being fired. It seems like we are about to be in for a wild ride with this show, and that’s exactly what we should be getting with soap operas.
4. The Character Interaction
One of the most significant issues I currently have with soap operas is the lack of character interaction. I don’t regularly watch every soap opera that is on now, but I do watch the ones like The Young and the Restless and General Hospital. There are some issues here and there with The Young and the Restless; however, their characters frequently interact in Genoa City. General Hospital is severely lacking in this area. The town of Port Charles is not that big, yet the characters remain in a constant silo. Especially the Black ones.
Trina Robinson, in particular, and her family, who have been on the show for years now, barely get screen time with each other. When they show up, they only interact with the same people over and over again, and it does not feel as if they are truly a part of the Port Charles canvas. It feels like when they are on, they’re just on with no ties to anyone. With Beyond the Gates, I saw tons of interaction in the trailer, which gives me hope. I want the citizens to interact with each other normally. Plus, I want to meet every character and know their lives. I want to see what their lives are like when they are not around each other, and I think this show will be the one to give me that.
5. Strong Black Women
As I have mentioned several times, Black women are one of the key demographics who watch soap operas, yet we are the most underrepresented in the genre. When Black women are seen on soap operas, they tend to be written as one note or a stereotype. That’s because some soap opera writers, not all, can’t seem to find the balance in humanizing a Black woman. As a good friend once told me, you “write for the character and incorporate the culture.” It sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, a lot of writers drop the ball in this area.
The excuse is always, “We don’t want to over-sexualize a Black woman” or “We don’t want to do the angry Black woman stereotype.” I get that you run the risk of leaning heavily into stereotypes with Black women when you allow them to get angry, but nobody ever says a white woman who gets angry and expresses herself on TV is a stereotype. She is always viewed as strong and brave. Why can’t we say the same when a Black woman speaks up? We’re human. We have human emotions like everyone else.
Michele Val Jean is not afraid to give us strong Black women. We are multifaceted. We love, we laugh, we get mad. And we can do so without it coming off as a stereotype. I’m here to tell you that stereotype is rooted in white supremacy. People may not want to acknowledge that, but it is. And has been for decades. But I’m so happy we will see all sides of the Black woman. Beautiful Black women are in Beyond the Gates and I can tell everyone has a different and unique personality. I can’t wait to learn about each of them. I am happy we will see Anita supporting her daughters and the rest of the family. But I am even happier that we will see a healthy Black family dynamic, even if that dynamic gets messy sometimes.
6. Diversity, Diversity, DIVERSITY
While Beyond the Gates is a Soap Opera with a wealthy Black family as the stars, the cast is diverse. And those diverse characters fit right in with the rest of the cast, and they will get a story of their own as well. That makes me happy because one thing Black people will do is give others a seat at the table and equal time, too. That diversity does not just extend to what’s happening in front of the camera. It also extends to behind-the-scenes with writers, directors, hair, and makeup. I will keep saying this forever and ever- Diversity matters. Representation matters.
It is long overdue for a soap opera to have this diversity. We need it now more than ever because the genre is a bit dull at this moment. I am hoping that Beyond the Gates will set a new standard in the genre, shake things up, and make those involved in soaps wake up and start making better decisions.
Take a look at the official trailer for Beyond the Gates below:
Beyond the Gates premieres Monday, February 24th on CBS at 2:00 pm ET/1:00 pm PT.
