‘Beyond the Gates’ Renewed as Black Soap Opera Breaks Barriers

CBS has renewed Beyond the Gates, the first daytime soap with a majority Black cast, for a second season. Launched in February, the show has been praised for celebrating Black culture and spotlighting underrepresented voices in soap operas. Created with input from audience data showing Black women’s engagement with daytime TV, the series pays homage to trailblazing actors like Victoria Rowell, whose portrayal of Drucilla on The Young and the Restless inspired generations. While Rowell was not cast in the new show, CBS acknowledged her influence. Featuring themes like civil rights activism, mental health, and family dynamics, the show has attracted a diverse fanbase. Critics note its lack of skin-tone diversity in casting, but many viewers still applaud its cultural resonance. The NAACP is a producer on the series, further underscoring its advocacy-driven narrative.

Advertisements

Source: AP News