Joining the fictitious world of Salem in 2020, writer Jamey Giddens is now ready to stir things up in Fairmont Crest, having recently joined the writing team of “Beyond the Gates” as a breakdown writer, Soap Opera Network has confirmed.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Giddens announced that he’s changing neighborhoods, but viewers still get to see his writing work appear on both the new CBS soap opera and Peacock’s “Days of our Lives” through at least early 2026, primarily due to the latter show’s advanced tape to air schedule.
“My #DAYS episodes will continue to air into early 2026, so I’ll be showing both shows plenty of love on social media until, well, forever!” said Giddens. “Grateful for my time in Salem, and so excited to join my friend @MicheleValJean at her red-hot new sudser! #BeyondTheGates.”
Sonja Flemming/CBS
The move reteams Giddens with Val Jean, who wrote two episodes of “Ambitions,” the primetime sudser Giddens created that aired for one season on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and starred Robin Givens. Val Jean is the creator, head writer, executive producer and showrunner of “Beyond the Gates.”
In addition to Val Jean, Giddens also reunites with former “Days of our Lives” head writer Ron Carlivati and veteran soap writer Sara Bibel (“The Young and the Restless”), both of whom are breakdown writers at “Beyond the Gates,” as well as Susan Dansby (“As The World Turns,” “The Young and the Restless”), who worked with Giddens as a writer of at least three episodes of “Ambitions.” Dansby is the new show’s script editor.
Todd Williamson/Peacock
While at “Days of our Lives,” it was Carlivati who gave Giddens his first writing opportunity in daytime television, following his extensive journalism experience as co-owner of the popular news and entertainment website Daytime Confidential.
Outside of the main show, Giddens also wrote for both seasons of “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem,” the limited series spinoff that aired from 2021-2022 on Peacock. The show’s success helped network executives conclude that “Days of our Lives” could help the fledging streaming service attract new subscribers while maintaining its existing subscriptions.
During his time at “Days of our Lives,” Giddens was honored with four Writers Guild Awards for his work as a member of the show’s writing team, having taken home the statuette for four consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024). In 2022, he took home his first-ever Daytime Emmy Award when the show won for Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team at “The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.”
Overall, Giddens has received four Daytime Emmy nominations throughout his career, including one for his work on “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem” (Chapter Two) in 2023.
“A friendship that began in the Daytime Emmys press room has traveled all the way to Fairmont Crest! So thrilled that you’ve joined us. Welcome to #BeyondTheGates!” wrote Bibel on X, following the announcement by Giddens. In response to Bibel’s post, Giddens said, “Thanks, Sara! We can’t quit each other!”
More recently, Giddens was the head writer of the BET soapy drama “Tyler Perry’s Sistas.”
