First CBS Daytime Soap Opera in 25 Years Premieres with a Mission

For the first time in 25 years, CBS is launching a brand-new daytime soap opera. And it’s not just any soap; it’s the first Black-led network daytime drama since 1989. “Beyond the Gates” officially premiered February 24, 2025, introducing viewers to the elite, drama-filled world of the Dupree family in Fairmont Crest, Maryland. With a powerhouse cast and a fresh perspective on wealth, family, and scandal, this show isn’t just another soap… it’s a game-changer.

Getting A Fresh Take

At the heart of “Beyond the Gates” is the Dupree family, led by Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) and her husband, retired Senator Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis). Their daughters, Nicole and Dani, have their own battles to fight: both in their personal lives and in the high-stakes world of Fairmont Crest’s elite. It’s got all the classic soap elements including romance, betrayal, power struggles, but with a perspective that daytime TV has been seriously lacking.

“We wanted to have a show on the air that spoke to a different side of the Black experience. Not the downtrodden, not the ghettoized. We wanted to show rich, Black people doing messy things,” says creator and executive producer Michele Val Jean per Entertainment Weekly.

That focus on showcasing Black wealth, power, and complexity makes “Beyond the Gates” stand out from its predecessors. Fairmont Crest isn’t just a setting; it’s a fully realized world, reflecting the real-life affluent Black communities we rarely see in daytime storytelling.

Bringing Something New

The show is a joint effort between CBS Studios and the NAACP, with a clear mission: bring more diverse storytelling to mainstream TV. And it’s not just about representation… it’s about shaking up the formula. According to TV Line, executive producer Sheila Ducksworth said, “This series will salute an audience that has been traditionally underserved, with the potential to be a groundbreaking moment for broadcast television.”

Actress Tamara Tunie said that “We’re in Atlanta, where no one has really done daytime drama like this, and it’s a big learning curve,” per KERA News. Filming in Georgia seems to have added another layer of complexity, as daytime dramas don’t typically shoot there. And if you’re wondering whether this is just another soap with the usual tropes, Val Jean was quick to shut that down: “This is not your grandmother’s soap opera.”

If the premiere is anything to go by, this one’s going to be worth watching. “Beyond the Gates” airs weekdays at 2 p.m. ET on CBS and is available for streaming on Paramount+.