Beyond the Gates: Meet the Richardsons

Excitement is building around CBS' new soap, Beyond the Gates, which is set to premiere February 24. Whetting appetites even further was the interview and behind-the-scenes glimpse that CBS News Sunday Morning provided yesterday – we got a peek at sets, wardrobe, and even bits of scenes as they were being filmed. Not to mention, Clifton Davis (Vernon), Tamara Tunie (Anita), Daphnée Duplaix (Nicole), and Karla Mosley (Dani) sat down to talk about their affluent but dysfunctional alter egos, the Duprees. And show creator and writer Michele Val Jean has promised us jaded soap viewers something we haven't seen before.

Beyond the Gates introduces the Richardsons

We also found out that while Beyond the Gates' fictional community of Fairmont Crest and its environs may play host to both the wealthy and the working class, they all find common ground at Orphey Gene's, a diner where dishes are placed in front of everyone — and where customers themselves are sure to dish. Likely, the Richardson family is among the eatery's clientele, and they'll be serving up their own brand of soapiness — one with a modern twist. Let's meet the Richardsons!

Ted Richardson (Maurice Johnson) is a plastic surgeon with a past who is married to competitive psychiatrist Nicole Dupree (Daphnée Duplaix). Ted has two children (it's not yet confirmed that Nicole is their mother), Martin and Katherine, though he also became a surrogate father of sorts to his nephew, Andre Hamilton (Sean Freeman), after the death of Andre's parents. Working with the information we have so far (that Andre is a Hamilton), the best guess is that Andre's mother was Ted's sister, who was married to a Hamilton.

Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) is a Congressman, yet he chooses to literally live “beyond the gates” outside of the ritzy Fairmont Crest. Having had a grandfather in politics inspired Martin to get into government himself, and he aspires to be America's first openly gay Black president. At Martin's side is his stay-at-home husband, Bradley “Smitty” Smith (Mike Manning), and their two adopted children, Tyrell and Samantha.

Katherine “Kat” Richardson (Colby Muhammad) balances being self-assured with being a spoiled brat. From what we've been told, Kat “doesn't like to share, but will soon have to,” hinting that she'll inevitably find herself in a situation where she is forced to confide something deep to someone. Perhaps that someone might end up being Tomas “Tom” Navarro, an attorney who has a thing for Kat; whether or not Kat even knows Tom is alive is something that won't be divulged until the show goes to air.

Finally, as indicated before, Andre looks to be as much a Richardson as he is a Hamilton, having been raised by his uncle Ted. As a professional photographer, Andre has a talent for capturing images, but as a playboy, he doesn't stand still long enough to be captured himself. He's simultaneously sophisticated and secretive, though there's something to be said for his decision to pursue his career for the joy of it rather than leaning on the fortune he inherited from both of his parents.

Now you know about the Richardsons, the Hamiltons, and the peripheral characters who cross the orbits of those families — including the Duprees, who, between them, seem to have an effect on everyone we'll see inside and outside of the titular “gates.” In my next article, I'll explore the ties of the Duprees...maybe while having a Coke at Orphey Gene's!

Beyond the Gates premieres Monday, February 24, and will both air on CBS and stream on Paramount Plus.