The Dupree family is readying to make some waves.
Beyond the Gates, an all-new CBS daytime drama that premieres on Feb. 24, will make history as the first Black soap opera in 35 years following Generations, which ran for 13 months and concluded in 1991.
On Monday, Dec. 16, the network dropped the first teaser for the new series, which takes place in a âposh gated communityâ in âone of the most affluent African American countiesâ in the country just outside of Washington, D.C, per the official logline.
The teaser sets the scene for the showâs protagonists, the âpowerful and prestigiousâ Duprees, who are âthe very definition of Black royaltyâ in the luxurious Fairmont Crest community.
âYour family rules this community,â someone says in the teaser, while another character teases, âThis is going to make history. How awesome is that?â
Beyond the Gates stars Clifton Davis and Tamara Tunie as the patriarch and matriarch of the family, Vernon and Anita Dupree. Vernon is a âgentle, humble and generousâ former senator, while Anita used to be a famous singer.
The couple share daughters Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson (Daphnee Duplaiz) â a âhigh-achieving and competitive philanthropist and psychiatristâ whose life seems perfect from the outside â and Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) â a âformer model turned momager who gave up her career for loveâ and âhas always marched to the beat of her own drum.â
The daytime drama began production in November and is helmed by General Hospital and The Bold & The Beautiful alum Michele Val Jean, who serves as writer and showrunner.
The series was announced in March â and originally titled The Gates â and Sheila Ducksworth, president of CBS Studiosâ NAACP venture, said in a press release, âThis series will salute an audience that has been traditionally underserved, with the potential to be a groundbreaking moment for broadcast television.â
âWith multi-dimensional characters, juicy storylines and Black culture front and center, [Beyond the Gates] will have impactful representation, one of the key touchstones of the venture.â
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Beyond the Gates premieres Monday, Feb. 24 on CBS.
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