Mike Manning isn’t just playing another soap character—he’s helping redefine what family, masculinity, and love look like on daytime TV. As Beyond the Gates fans continue to fall for Smitty and Martin’s story, Manning is opening up about the layers behind the role, the importance of queer visibility, and how this trailblazing CBS soap is breaking the mould in more ways than one.
Smitty Breaks the Mold—and That’s the Point
Manning recently sat down with Instinct Magazine to talk about his role on the CBS soap, and he didn’t hold back about what it means to play someone like Smitty.
He explained that it’s the first time in his career he’s played a biracial gay dad in a committed relationship, raising two adopted kids. “It was an exciting role for me,” Manning said, adding that Smitty represents something rarely seen on daytime TV. “Representation matters,” he emphasized, explaining how television invites people into your home, and your heart.
Redefining What It Means to Be a Man on Beyond the Gates
What makes Smitty stand out even more is his refusal to be boxed into traditional gender roles. Manning said that’s exactly why he enjoys playing him.
“One minute he’s in the gym or playing basketball with his husband. And the next he’s in an apron making dinner,” Manning shared. “ And while Smitty is dedicated to his family, Manning teased that the character is itching to get back to his journalism roots.
What Manning Hopes Viewers Feel
As much as Manning loves portraying Smitty, he’s even more passionate about what audiences might take away from the storylines.
He said he hopes LGBTQ+ viewers feel represented—fully, lovingly, and emotionally. “I hope queer audiences feel seen in the characters of Smitty and Martin,” he said. “They’re just as deserving of love and commitment and even the drama that comes with it.”
Manning believes it’s about time queer couples get the same depth and spotlight as real couple. And he’s proud to help move that needle forward. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the updates, spoilers, and behind-the-scenes stories from Beyond the Gates.