There are some interviews that feel like catching up with an old friend, and my latest conversation with Karla Mosley was certainly one of them. I’ve known Karla since her days on Guiding Light, and over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to reconnect on numerous red carpets and at industry events. However, those conversations usually last two or three minutes, with all the noise and excitement surrounding us. This time, we finally had the opportunity to sit down for an extended conversation, and there was plenty to discuss.
Karla is currently captivating audiences as Dani Dupree on CBS’s Beyond the Gates, a daytime drama that has brought renewed excitement to the genre. With its compelling characters, layered storytelling, and celebration of Black culture, the series has established itself as an important addition to daytime television. For Karla, the role has also brought a significant career milestone: a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress.
Revisiting Maya Avant and an Unexpected Revelation
Before diving into Beyond the Gates, I wanted to revisit a chapter of Karla’s career that has stayed with me for years: her portrayal of Maya Avant on The Bold and the Beautiful. The storyline involving Maya’s identity as a transgender woman was groundbreaking for daytime television, and Karla delivered a performance that resonated with viewers and critics alike.
I remember the anticipation surrounding that year’s Daytime Emmy nominations. Many of us believed Karla would receive recognition for her work, and when her name wasn’t announced, the reaction from viewers was immediate. During our conversation, Karla revealed something I had never heard before: the president of the Television Academy personally contacted her following the omission.
According to Karla, he expressed appreciation for her performance and acknowledged the surprise surrounding the nomination results. It was an unexpected revelation, even for someone like me who had followed the storyline and its reception closely. Karla explained that while an Emmy nomination would have been wonderful, the response from viewers, her peers, and those affected by the story meant even more to her.
Stepping Into the World of Dani Dupree
When Beyond the Gates premiered, Dani Dupree immediately made an impression. From the show’s earliest episodes, audiences were introduced to a woman who was passionate, outspoken, complicated, and unafraid to express herself. As I told Karla, the character reminded me of the larger-than-life personalities who helped define daytime television for generations.
Karla revealed that series creator Michele Val Jean had told her early on that Dani’s storyline would be a major driving force behind the show’s opening months. Rather than allowing that responsibility to become overwhelming, Karla approached it as an opportunity to recognize her own experience and abilities.
Having spent years working in daytime television, she understood the demands of the genre. She also realized that some of her younger castmates were looking to experienced performers for guidance. That realization encouraged her to embrace her confidence as an actress and recognize what she could bring to the production.
Dani, Bill, and Andre: A Complicated Love Story
Naturally, we couldn’t have a conversation about Dani without discussing her complicated relationships with Bill Hamilton and Andre Richardson. Despite everything Bill has put her through, Dani continues to feel an emotional connection to her former husband that she cannot easily explain or escape.
Karla described that attachment as something Dani wishes she could eliminate but simply cannot. Although Andre offers love, stability, and devotion, there remains something about Bill that continues to pull Dani toward him.
We also explored whether Bill genuinely loves Dani or whether his actions are motivated by his desire to maintain control. Karla believes there is love between them, but that their feelings are not equal. Dani has given so much to Bill over the years, while he has repeatedly taken her devotion for granted.
It’s one of those complicated relationships that makes soap operas so compelling. As Karla pointed out, people can understand what is best for them intellectually while still struggling with what their hearts want.
Finding the Humanity in Leslie
Another character we spent considerable time discussing was Leslie, portrayed by Trisha Mann-Grant. I’ve become a huge admirer of Trisha’s work on the series, particularly her ability to balance Leslie’s outrageous behavior with moments of genuine vulnerability.
While Leslie has certainly committed her share of questionable and downright terrible acts, Karla and I discussed how the character’s desire for acceptance and love may help explain some of her behavior. Her complicated history, particularly her relationship with Ted and her daughter Eva, has given audiences glimpses of a woman who has spent much of her life feeling excluded.
We talked about some of Leslie’s most emotional scenes, including her confrontation with Ted and the circumstances surrounding Eva’s hospitalization. These moments have allowed audiences to see beyond Leslie’s schemes and understand the pain that drives her.
Karla also raised an interesting question about forgiveness. When someone who has caused tremendous harm begins to change, are the people they hurt obligated to accept that transformation? And how much time does it take to rebuild trust?
Those questions are part of what makes Leslie such a fascinating character. Her journey isn’t simply about becoming a better person. It’s also about whether the people around her will ever believe that change is possible.
Celebrating HBCU Culture and Representation
One of the things I appreciate about Beyond the Gates is its willingness to incorporate meaningful cultural conversations into its storytelling. The show’s HBCU-centered episodes provided an opportunity for Karla and me to discuss the importance of historically Black colleges and universities, as well as the influence of A Different World.
Karla reflected on watching the original series while growing up and how it helped shape her understanding of college life. We also discussed the newer incarnation of A Different World and the importance of introducing these experiences to another generation.
For Karla, the HBCU episodes represented an opportunity to celebrate institutions that have played an essential role in Black education and culture. She also shared some behind-the-scenes details about how seriously the cast approached the material, including rehearsing and organizing the fight song performance.
That commitment speaks to the larger atmosphere on the Beyond the Gates set. Karla described a cast that genuinely supports one another and takes ownership of the stories they’re telling. Whether it’s working through the emotional stakes of a scene or creating social media content to engage viewers, the ensemble is invested in the show’s continued success.
A Long-Awaited Emmy Moment
Perhaps the most emotional portion of our conversation came when we returned to Karla’s Daytime Emmy nomination. After years of memorable performances and the disappointment surrounding her work as Maya Avant, Karla is now receiving recognition in the Lead Actress category for her portrayal of Dani Dupree.
She admitted that the significance of the nomination hadn’t completely sunk in yet. However, she shared that her mother would be accompanying her to the ceremony, a decision that made the moment especially personal.
Her mother was the person who took her to lessons, introduced her to Broadway, and supported her artistic ambitions from an early age. As Karla spoke about sharing the experience with her, the emotion in her voice was unmistakable.
We also discussed the recognition of her fellow nominee and castmate Tamara Tunie. Karla expressed genuine happiness that Tamara had received a nomination as well, emphasizing how much she values the talent surrounding her on the show.
Why Daytime Television Still Matters
As our conversation came to a close, we reflected on the resilience of daytime television. For years, there were predictions that the soap opera genre was approaching its end. Yet the arrival and continued success of Beyond the Gates have demonstrated that audiences still have an appetite for serialized storytelling.
Karla offered an interesting perspective on why these shows remain relevant. In a world where entertainment is increasingly fragmented, daytime dramas provide consistency and community. Viewers can follow characters every day, discuss storylines with friends, and build connections around fictional families whose lives unfold over years or even decades.
We also talked about how the influence of soap operas extends far beyond daytime television. Many popular primetime and streaming dramas use the same character-driven storytelling techniques that have sustained the genre for generations.
For Karla, returning to daytime television through Dani Dupree has renewed her appreciation for everything the format allows an actor to explore.
Watch my full interview with Karla Mosley on The Buzz – BuzzWorthy Radio, and catch Beyond the Gates weekdays on CBS and Paramount+.
