Smitty has his hands full on Beyond the Gates. His cousin Chelsea is caught in a whirlwind romance with Madison, while also fending off obsessive stalker Allison. Meanwhile, Smitty and his husband Martin are trying to hold their marriage together in the middle of all the Dupree family drama. As the pressure builds on-screen, actor Mike Manning is making headlines off-screen too, sharing what makes this role so powerful and why the show is breaking ground in the world of soaps.
CBS’s Beyond the Gates Is Doing Things Differently
Beyond the Gates is not your typical soap. It’s the first new soap opera to hit TV since Passions in 1999, and CBS’s first since The Bold and the Beautiful back in 1987. But what really sets it apart is the way it focuses on Black characters and tells stories that reflect real-life diversity. Mike Manning, who plays Bradley “Smitty” Smith, recently spoke with Na’Vell Lee of Buzzworthy Radio during San Diego Comic-Con.
He said he’s really enjoyed working on the show and feels proud that CBS is putting so much effort into making it good. He added that he’s especially happy with how Beyond the Gates is breaking barriers, saying he feels proud of how far the show is going to be different from what fans are used to seeing.
Mike Talks Fan Reactions and Groundbreaking Roles
Manning plays one half of a married gay couple, Smitty and Martin Richardson, at the heart of the show. That’s something daytime soaps rarely show, and it’s a big step forward for representation. But that’s not the only bold storyline. Smitty’s first cousin once removed, Chelsea, is also exploring her bisexuality in a messy love triangle with Madison and the stalker-like Allison.
Manning said the response from fans has been amazing. Viewers have shown a lot of love for the characters and stories, and he’s glad people are connecting with the show in such a strong way. He explained that the mix of race, gender, and sexuality on screen is something fans really care about. And he’s proud to be part of a show that’s making space for those voices.
Mike’s Not Slowing Down
Even with all the excitement from Beyond the Gates, Manning has more going on. He’s currently promoting two other projects: Unexpected Treasures and The Psionicum. And longtime soap fans may also recognise him from his past roles in Days of Our Lives and The Bay.
Now, with his growing list of projects and a powerful role on CBS, Manning is making a big impact. His work as Smitty shows how soaps can still surprise people, tell real stories, and move the genre forward. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest updates from Beyond the Gates and more soap news.