The world of soap operas is about to be rocked to its core! Not only are

The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful heating up with new characters and thrilling returns, but CBS has just unveiled the official cast of an entirely new soap opera, The Gates. The excitement has been building since March when CBS first announced this groundbreaking show, marking the first new soap opera in over 25 years. Helmed by the multi-award-winning writer Michelle Valene, The Gates promises to be a breath of fresh air in daytime television.

When CBS first teased The Gates, fans couldn’t stop speculating about who would be part of this thrilling new series. The anticipation reached fever pitch, with viewers eager to know when it would premiere, who would star in it, and what kind of drama they could expect. Well, the wait is finally over. CBS has revealed that The Gates will debut in January 2025, a perfect way to kick off the new year. The show will be filmed in Atlanta, starting from November 4, 2024, and will continue production until August 29, 2025. The plot centers around the Jackson family, a wealthy Black family living in the exclusive gated community of Fairmont Estates, located in the Maryland-Washington DC area. Known as “Black royalty” within their social circle, the Jacksons’ lives will be anything but simple as they navigate a maze of challenges and intense drama.

The show is currently casting for its main characters, each more intriguing than the last. First up is Jessica, a Black woman in her early 50s who is a high-achieving, fiercely competitive psychiatrist at Garland Memorial Medical Center in DC. Jessica’s demanding career is matched only by her position at the top of society’s social ladder. Next is Betty, a formidable family matriarch in her late 60s to 70s, and a celebrated singer who worked tirelessly to achieve her success. Betty takes immense pride in the two daughters she raised with her retired senator husband, but she is not someone to be messed with.

Also being cast is Joseph, a charismatic yet calculating criminal defense attorney in his 50s. He is the ex-husband of Sarah, another key character in the series, and is described as a master manipulator and opportunist. Joseph is the kind of character who will keep the drama going with his shady dealings and ruthless behavior. Finally, there’s Sarah, the Jackson family’s wild child. A Black woman in her mid-to-late 40s, Sarah is free-spirited, beautiful, and headstrong. She once dropped out of high school to pursue a modeling career but was convinced by Joseph to trade it all in for a life as a housewife and mother. However, when infidelity comes into play, Sarah’s taste for revenge comes roaring back.

These are just the beginning of the incredible characters The Gates will introduce. All four roles are set to be long-term contract positions, and with the powerhouse creative team behind the show, it’s no wonder fans are already buzzing with excitement. Veteran soap producers like Bob Guza, former head writer of General Hospital, and Julie Ks, who has worked on almost every soap you can name, are part of the executive production team, making this new soap a must-watch.

Meanwhile, over in The Bold and the Beautiful world, fans are still reeling from the debut of Crew J. Morrow as Bill’s youngest son, Will Spencer. The young actor, who bears a striking resemblance to his father, Joshua Morrow, is already making waves. Will Spencer’s return to The Bold and the Beautiful has brought fresh drama, especially with the character’s rocky relationship with his father, Bill. As Will navigates his return home, tensions are high, particularly with the new dynamics in the Spencer family.