In a surprising announcement that set the soap world ablaze, CBS Studios and NAACP Venture are developing a new series set to feature a wealthy Black family. Known right now as, “The Gates,” this is the first time since 1990 that a network introduced a predominantly African American soap opera.
Michele Val Jean, who previously wrote for, “Santa Barbara,” “General Hospital,” and most recently, “The Bold and the Beautiful,” will serve as the series’ writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Sheila Ducksworth, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson, and Kimberly Doebereiner will also serve as executive producers. “The Gates” is described as, “following the lives of a wealthy Black family in a posh, gated community.”
Ducksworth, who also is the president of the CBS Studios NAACP Venture, released a statement:
“’The Gates’ will be everything we love about daytime drama, from a new and fresh perspective. This series will salute an audience that has been traditionally underserved, with the potential to be a groundbreaking moment for broadcast television. With multi-dimensional characters, juicy storylines and Black culture front and center, ‘The Gates’ will have impactful representation, one of the key touchstones of the venture. I’m excited to develop this project with CBS and P&G, two of the longest and most passionate champions of broadcast and daytime television, and the NAACP, whose enduring commitment to Black voices and artists is both powerful and inspiring. I also want to thank CBS’ George Cheeks, NAACP’s Derrick Johnson and P&G’s Marc Pritchard for their personal involvement and support to take our next step forward with ‘The Gates.’”
Previously, NBC aired the first predominantly Black soap, “Generations,” which starred Vivica A. Fox, Kelly Rutherford, James Reynolds, the late Richard Roundtree and Kristoff St. John, Debbi Morgan, and Jonelle Allen. Also, CBS announced that their #1 soap, “The Young and the Restless,” was renewed for four more years, and “The Bold and the Beautiful” was renewed through 2025.
Procter & Gamble is also involved in the project, which produced the former CBS soaps, “As The World Turns,” and, “Guiding Light.”
This marks a first in daytime, as a new soap has not been created since 1999, with the debut of, “Passions,” which concluded its run in 2008.
