Film & TV
‘Beyond the Gates’ Brings Must-see Drama, Romance, and Black Excellence To Daytime Television
CBS premiered its brand new show, Beyond the Gates, marking a significant milestone in television history as the first new daytime soap opera to debut on a major American broadcast network in over 25 years. The last time viewers welcomed a daytime soap was in 1999 with NBC’s Passions. Beyond the Gates, however, brings a different kind of groundbreaking energy to the genre through its addictive plot and a brilliant cast comprised of Black veteran actors and newcomers.
The Duprees are a prominent, multi-generational family living in the gated community of Fairmont Crest in Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. Storylines have nothing to do with the current political climate but instead with internal family turmoil that slowly begins to taint the image of the Duprees to the outside world.
Tony Award nominee and Broadway powerhouse Clifton Davis (Vernon Dupree) is the head of this family unit alongside Law and Order SVU star Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree). Daphne Duplaix and Karla Mosley co-star as the couple’s daughters (Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson and Dani Dupree Hamilton).
Vernon is the patriarch and a retired senator who played a key role in the Civil Rights movement. His wife, Anita, is a Chicago native and a former singer who gave birth to Nicole and Dani shortly after the two got married.
Viewers can immediately witness the power of the Duprees within their community during the first few minutes of episode one. The initial scene shows a radiant Anita driving into Fairmont Crest’s Country Club in a limousine and exiting the vehicle, revealing an eye-catching shiny trouser suit.
The Dupree matriarch meets with daughters Nicole and Dani, who struggles following her divorce from Bill Hamilton. Later in the episode, Dani is seen at a club with Hayley, Bill’s Fiancee, who had an affair with him during their marriage. To Dani’s surprise, Hayley is there to retrieve the keys to the house on Marigold Road (the same land on which her grandfather built the Fairmont Crest Community). This turn of events is one of many unexpected moments from the series’ first hour.
The first Black female executive producers in all of daytime drama – Sheila Ducksworth and Val Jean – spoke about the significance of ‘Beyond The Gates’.
” I’d say it’s been a couple of decades in the making that I’ve wanted to actually produce and make a soap opera,” Ducksworth told CBS Mornings. “But what I felt was missing was one that centered on the Black experience.”
“I just wanted to see people that looked like me,” Jean told CBS Mornings. “I didn’t want downtrodden Black people. I wanted rich, messy Black people that carry the stories.”
To make the show more realistic of the black experience, a crew of more than 200 people worked around the clock to bring the show to life, including seasoned professionals in Black Hair and makeup.
Fans can discover how the Duprees navigate their new realities by streaming the soap opera on Paramount+ or watching it live on CBS.
As ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ enters its final chapter, actor O-T Fagbenle—who has played Luke Bankole since the very beginning — is taking it all in with a deep sense of appreciation. Speaking with Hollywood Melanin, Fagbenle opened up about his experience on the groundbreaking series, what it meant to him, and how his character evolves as the story comes to a close.
“My overall feeling is one of gratitude,” he shared. “So few people get to be part of a big show, let alone one that means so much to so many people. And you know, everything ends—that’s the ephemeral nature of the universe. The fact that we’re ending it in style, the way we want to, and in a way I think the audience will find really satisfying, makes me happy.”
Filming the final scenes was both emotional and physically demanding, especially in the freezing Toronto weather, where the show is filmed.
“I’ll never forget how cold it was—my goodness, Toronto can get freezing!” he recalled. “But what really stood out was having Lizzie [Elisabeth Moss] direct the final episode. Watching her blossom into this powerhouse artist—acting, producing, directing—she does it all so brilliantly. Everything started with her. The very first scene of the show was her, Hannah, and me in the car. So this final season feels like a full-circle moment.”
Throughout the series, Luke has faced intense emotional and moral challenges. His journey mirrors the reality of many displaced people around the world—those caught in the chaos of war and political upheaval, struggling with a lack of power and control.
“One of Luke’s biggest challenges has always been his sense of helplessness—his inability to act,” Fagbenle explained. “He can’t get his daughter back, he can’t get his wife back. That reflects the reality of so many refugees today who have no power over the machinery of big governments. But what’s satisfying in this final season is that you finally get to see Luke take some chances—he starts to make a bit of a difference.”
As ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ enters its sixth and final season, Fagbenle’s reflections serve as a powerful reminder of the emotional depth and cultural relevance the series has carried since its debut. With new episodes dropping weekly from April 8 through May 27 on HULU, fans can expect a poignant and gripping conclusion to the story of June Osborn and those around her. For Fagbenle and viewers who’ve followed Luke’s journey from the beginning, this season promises a payoff that’s both meaningful and hard-earned.
Viola Davis made a grand entrance at the world premiere of her new Prime Video movie, G20, which will be available for streaming on April 10. Watch the exclusive video below.
The official logline reads, “When the G20 summit comes under siege, U.S. President Danielle Sutton (Davis) becomes the number one target. After evading capture by the attackers, she must outsmart the enemy to protect her family, defend her country, and safeguard world leaders in this action-packed thrill ride.”
Directed by Patricia Riggen (The School For Good and Evil), the high-stakes action thriller also stars Anthony Anderson, Marsai Martin, Ramón Rodríguez, Douglas Hodge, Elizabeth Marvel, Sabrina Impacciatore, Christopher Farrar, and Antony Starr.
Film & TV
Garcelle Beauvais Exits The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills After 5 Seasons: What’s Next for the Bravo Star?
After five seasons, Garcelle Beauvais announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH). The 58-year-old actress, who made history as the franchise’s first Black Housewife in 2020, shared the news via an emotional Instagram video. Her exit was announced just hours before the Season 14 finale aired. But why is she leaving, and what’s next for this Hollywood veteran?
Garcelle Beauvais’ RHOBH Journey
Beauvais joined the Bravo series in Season 10, instantly becoming a fan favorite with her authenticity, sharp wit, and unapologetic voice. As the first Black cast member in the show’s history, she brought much-needed diversity to the 90210 zip code, navigating high-stakes drama gracefully and resiliently. Over five seasons, Beauvais clashed with heavyweights like Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley, and Erika Jayne, championed underdogs like Sutton Stracke, and shared heartfelt moments about her life as a single working mother to sons Oliver, Jax, and Jaid.
Her tenure wasn’t without challenges. In Season 12, Beauvais faced a harrowing ordeal when her then-14-year-old son Jax was targeted by racist online bots, prompting her to defend her family fiercely. Despite the hardships, she remained a beacon of strength, earning praise for rising above the fray. “It’s been a wild ride,” Beauvais said in her farewell video. “Some amazing things have happened, and some hard things have also happened, but it’s been a ride nevertheless.”
Why Is Garcelle Beauvais Leaving RHOBH?
Beauvais cited two primary reasons for leaving her diamond behind: family and career. “One of the reasons why I’m leaving is my family, my boys,” she explained. Her twin sons, Jax and Jaid, are entering their final year of high school in 2026, a milestone she’s determined to be present for. Additionally, Jaid is launching a modeling career—highlighted by his runway debut in Season 14 at Sutton Stracke’s fashion show—and Beauvais wants to support his journey. As a devoted mom and grandmother of two (via son Oliver), family has always been her anchor.
The second driving force behind her departure is her thriving career. “I have the most exciting projects that I am developing, producing, and acting in,” Beauvais teased, keeping details under wraps but promising fans will “know soon.” Since joining RHOBH, she’s leveraged her platform to secure a first-look deal with NBCUniversal in 2022 and has been a powerhouse at Lifetime, starring in and executive producing films like Black Girl Missing and Caught in His Web.
O-T Fagbenle Reflects on the Final Season of The Handmaid’s Tale: “A Full Circle Moment”
Viola Davis Makes a Grand Entrance At The World Premiere Of ‘G20’ (video)
Garcelle Beauvais Exits The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills After 5 Seasons: What’s Next for the Bravo Star?
‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ Trailer: A Farewell to Tony Todd
