Less than three weeks from the premiere episode of “Beyond the Gates,” executive producers Sheila Ducksworth, president of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, and Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, announced on Thursday that the show is inviting eligible students from participating Georgia-based HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) with the chance to enter to win a walk-on role on the daytime drama series.
Sonja Flemming/CBS
“In addition to launching a groundbreaking series, we, and CBS, wanted to offer an aspirational experience for a young adult interested in exploring all things TV,” said Ducksworth in a statement. “We also wanted to pay homage to HBCUs — which have been a guiding force for students, families and communities for almost 200 years — and also thank Georgia for availing so many resources to us for the creation of ‘Beyond the Gates.’ We hope that we may pique interest in young people who may have dreams that lie either in front of or behind the camera, and we’re excited to review all of the submissions from outstanding HBCU students of Georgia, regardless of major, and have our winner spend a day with us on set.”
The special contest launches on Monday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m. ET (premiere date and time for “Beyond the Gates”), and runs through Friday, March 21 at 11:59 p.m. ET, with eligible Georgia HBCU students taking a brief quiz about the show and submitting a video of themselves talking about what they enjoy about the show and what it would mean to them to win this potential walk-on role. Acting experience and training is not required.
The official website for submissions will be revealed in the coming weeks on the official “Beyond the Gates” Instagram and TikTok pages (@beyondthegatescbs), along with a complete list of participating HBCUs and all other eligibility requirements, timed to the start of the contest.
The shows’ executive producers will select a winner, who will have the chance to appear in an episode of the show in the 2025 season. In addition to the potential walk-on experience, the winner will also enjoy a full “Day in the Life” behind-the-scenes experience with the cast and crew as well as a one-on-one conversation with one of the show’s executive producers.
Quantrell Colbert/CBS
Taped in Atlanta, “Beyond the Gates” is the first-ever, one-hour Black-centric daytime drama series, and is set in the a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C. in one of the most affluent African American counties in the United States.
At the center of the 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 the 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.
Created by Michele Val Jean, who also serves as executive producer, head writer and showrunner, “Beyond the Gates” is produced by the CBS Studios/NAACP venture in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble.
