Although she’s appeared on several soap operas throughout her storied career, playing such memorable characters as Dixie Cooney on “All My Children,” Rosanna Cabot on “As The World Turns” and Jennifer Horton on “Days of our Lives,” as well as Kelly Andrews on “The Young and the Restless,” it’s her new role on “Beyond the Gates” that marks a major milestone for three-time Daytime Emmy Award winning actress Cady McClain.
Beginning with the Friday, February 28 episode of the daytime drama series, McClain will formally portray her first original character on a soap opera when she debuts in the recurring role of Pamela Curtis, an old friend of Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) who makes her way back to Fairmont Crest to support Dani as her ex-husband, Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett), sets out to marry his former mistress and secretary, Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings).
“I’m just so thrilled to be a part of this incredible cast and this amazing show,” said McClain during a press junket last month. “I think it is so exciting. It’s such a beautiful production and such amazing actors, and I have the great pleasure of getting to work a great deal with Karla, and we have so much fun—probably too much fun.” She added, “We play very dear old friends, and we get up to a bit of trouble, and I think that’s all I’ll say.”
Quantrell Colbert/CBS
While she was unable to share more about her new character at the time, one thing McClain could talk about was the show’s sets, stating, “I remember walking around and just going, wow, wow, they’re so beautiful. The designer did such a good job. They’re just gorgeous.” At launch, the series crafted 27 distinctive sets for its characters to play around in.
Meanwhile, in a post on Instagram yesterday, McClain shared, “Finished today’s shoot! Such lovely, lovely people. And I made a new friend, I think! Grateful for the opportunity to keep doing what I do, rain or shine.” She noted, “Keep tuning in! Things keep getting kookier and soapier! Friday’s show brings some wild surprises!”
An actress and director, among other creative talents, McClain is the winner of three Daytime Emmy Awards, becoming the first woman ever to have received the prestigious award for portraying three different characters on three different daytime dramas – Dixie Cooney on “All My Children,” Rosanna Cabot on “As The World Turns” and Jennifer Horton on “Days of our Lives,” with Dixie being her most recognizable.
On “All My Children,” Dixie was first played by actress Kari Gibson in 1988. That same year, the ABC soap recast the role with McClain. Similarly, Rosanna on “As The World Turns” was originated by actress Yvonne Perry, who played the character from 1992–1999, with McClain taking the character to new heights from 2002-2010.
While at “The Young and the Restless,” McClain played a recast Kelly from after original portrayer Cynthia Watros exited the soap in 2014 for a starring role in the MTV scripted series “Finding Carter.”
In 2020, McClain became the third actress to portray an adult Jennifer on “Days of our Lives,” often stepping in when Melissa Reeves was unavailable, with her most recent appearance being in 2024.
McClain made her television debut in 1983, playing the role of Erin Scheinfeld over five episodes on the NBC medical drama “St. Elsewhere.” She’s also directed several independent films and has appeared in multiple theater productions.
Catch McClain on “Beyond the Gates” starting Friday, February 28.
