Michele Val Jean Shares an Update on The Gates!

Soap fans were cautiously optimistic when it was revealed back in March that CBS and the NAACP were developing a brand new daytime drama titled The Gates. A week later, CBS president and CEO George Cheeks shared some additional details, promising fans, “It’s super real,” and finally, in April, CBS announced that The Gates would premiere in January 2025 !

Unfortunately, all that is known about The Gates so far is that it will be a one-hour daytime soap centered around a wealthy black family living in a gated community. Details of storylines, characters, and casting have not yet been revealed as the show is still in development. However, headwriter and co-executive producer Michele Val Jean took to Twitter/X to share a positive update.

“You guys!” she enthused. “The team for The Gates is coming together and it’s [fire emojis]. I couldn’t be happier. Exciting announcements coming soon. Stay tuned!”

Val Jean knows her soaps, and recently attended the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards as part of The Bold & The Beautiful’s Emmy-nominated writing team. She kicked off her career in daytime back in 1989 as a writer on Generations and has also written for Santa Barbara, General Hospital, and Port Charles. Her work on GH and B&B has earned her seven Daytime Emmy Awards over the years.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting any new information about The Gates, and when Val Jean posted on Twitter/X that May 13 “was a good day,” Ted King replied: “Yes, it was!” King has already appeared on numerous soaps like Loving, The City, GH, One Life To Live, and B&B, so many wondered if he was going to be one of the first cast members of The Gates to be announced. Unfortunately, he burst that particular balloon. “Not The Gates,” King revealed, “but considering a new film.”

There hasn’t been a new daytime drama since Passions debuted on NBC back in 1999, so the enthusiasm from fans at the idea of a new soap coming to CBS Daytime was heartening. “Just wanted to thank everyone who expressed support for The Gates,” Val Jean said. “I can actually feel your encouragement and it’s a beautiful thing.”