Cast members from “The Young and the Restless” will once again cross over to sister soap “Beyond the Gates,” with actors Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) and Bryton James (Devon Winters) making their way from Genoa City to Fairmont Crest in an episode set to air on Wednesday, November 4. This marks Khalil’s first time on the new soap opera, while James marks his third appearance.
According to TV Guide Magazine, on newsstands now, the episode will see Devon in town as the music producer working with the Articulettes on a new album, with Lily joining him as a fan of the group, particularly its lead vocalist Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie). Also on display will be Anita and her husband, Vernon (Clifton Davis), discussing their connection to Lily and Devon’s late father, Neil Winters, played by the late Kristoff St. John, who died in February 2019.
“He’s a television legend, so I think it’s an incredible gesture,” said James to the outlet of the show taking the opportunity to honor the character and the actor who portrayed him.
As for the chance to be a part of the crossover event, Khalil calls the opportunity a blessing, particularly as those working in the genre had once lost hope of a possible resurgence.
“For so long, a lot of us have thought that we’re a dying breed, and you realize we’re not,” said Khalil to TV Guide. “Our ratings are higher than most primetime shows you see, and the fact that CBS has spent the money to do another soap opera just shows people are still really invested and love it.”
Fun Fact: The timing of the crossover comes nearly two months after Khalil and James last appeared on television together outside of “The Young and the Restless,” playing a game of “Flip Side” on the Game Show Enterprises Studios-produced syndicated series hosted by James’ former “Family Matters” co-star Jaleel White.
In the Season 3 premiere, which aired in September, the actors played opposite “Beyond the Gates” stars RhonniRose Mantilla (Chelsea Hamilton) and Colby Nixon (Katherine “Kat” Richardson) to win prize money for charities of their choosing, while seeing who would make it to the final round of guessing the top answers to anonymous surveys.
During a conversation with White, James shared that he first met Khalil when she appeared in the Season 8, Episode 8 episode of “Family Matters,” titled “Karate Kids.” James played “Little Richie” (aka Richie Crawford) on the series, while Khalil made an appearance as a character named Angela when a street gang encounters Karate Kid versions of Steve Urkel (White), Richie, and his friend, 3J (played by Orlando Brown).
“Flip Side” and “Beyond the Gates” each tape in the Atlanta area, making Khalil and James’ appearance on both shows, taped in June, a genius idea based on scheduling and logistics, particularly as the two shows are produced by corporate siblings, CBS Media Ventures (“Flip Side”) and CBS Studios (“Beyond the Gates”).
