Beyond The Gates breakout star Mike Manning has opened up about his experience on the beloved CBS soap opera and the fan response that has come from it.
Manning recently attended the San Diego Comic Con where he was interviewed by Na’Vell Lee of Buzzworthy Radio.
During the conversation Manning explained his love for the CBS soap opera. “I’ve had a lot of fun.” Manning explained. “I’m very proud of CBS putting so much effort behind making it a good show.”
Beyond the Gates is groundbreaking in multiple ways. The series is the first new soap opera to premiere since 1999, when NBC premiered Passions. It is the first new soap opera for CBS since 1987 with The Bold and The Beautiful. The series is also the first hour long soap opera to primarily focus on black characters.
“I’m very proud for how many boundaries the show is breaking.”
Mike Manning
In addition to racial diversity, Beyond the Gates continues to push boundaries with it’s breaking of sexual diversity, with Manning’s character Smitty and his husband Martin Richardson anchoring a core family. In addition, Manning’s characters first cousin once removed, Chelsea is exploring her bi-sexuality with partner Madison and the crazy stalker Allison.
Discussing the reaction the show has had, Manning explained, “the fan response to the show has been incredible.”
In addition to Beyond the Gates, Manning has two additional projects that he is promoting, Unexpected Treasures and The Psionicum. Manning is no stranger to daytime television with appearances in both the Peacock streaming soap opera Days of Our Lives and The Bay.
What is Beyond The Gates About?
Beyond the Gates is officially described as a soap opera that is “set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C., in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States; a posh gated community with winding tree-lined streets and luxurious mansions to call home. At the center of this community are the Duprees, a powerful and prestigious multi-generational family that is the very definition of Black royalty. But behind these pristine walls and lush, manicured gardens are juicy secrets and scandals waiting to be uncovered. And those who live outside these gates are watching closely. These are the places where our characters live, love, work and play. Those who have “made it” and those who haven’t are all trying to navigate life … and some with more grace than others.“
Beyond the Gates season 1 continues to air weekdays on CBS and streams weeknights on Paramount+. Fans can catch the series from the beginning on Paramount+ or watch the series on Pluto TV’s 24/7 dedicated channel.