On March 6, 2024, CBS announced that in partnership with the NAACP, it was developing The Gates, a new daytime drama about an affluent Black family living in a ritzy gated community. Immediately, we began thinking of whom we would cast. See the list of MVPs below.

• Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams

  

  Young & Restless had the All My Children legends on the show at the same time — and wasted the opportunity to reunite the Emmy winners who played daytime’s first Black supercouple, Angie and Jesse. Somehow we doubt that The Gates’ showrunner Michele Val Jean would make the same mistake.

• Shemar Moore

  

  With the beloved Young & Restless vet’s latest primetime series S.W.A.T. careening toward the finish line, Malcolm’s former portrayer will soon be a free agent again. Considering the way he’s remained grateful to daytime for kick-starting his career, he might actually be swayed to return to the genre for a project as important as The Gates.

• Vivica A. Fox

  

  She’s gone on to make blockbuster movies like Independence Day, Kill Bill and Set It Off. But Fox got her start in soaps (appearing on Young & Restless, Days of Our Lives and Generations). Joining The Gates would bring her enviable career full circle.

• Tika Sumpter

  

  Once Layla on One Life to Live, Sumpter went on to fuel the madness on OWN’s The Haves and the Have Nots as avaricious Candace. The Gates — heck, any show — would be lucky to get the bonafide powerhouse.

• Boris Kodjoe

  

  With Station 19 coming to an end, the heartthrob who plays “fire zaddy” Sullivan will be free to turn up the heat in a new role. Oh, and we just happen to know of one that will soon be casting…

• Lynn Whitfield

  

  The Primetime Emmy winner made such an indelible impression as OWN soap Greenleaf’s matriarch, Lady Mae, that we can’t help but hope for a repeat performance on The Gates.

• Carly Hughes

  

  We agreed with General Hospital regular Lynn Herring (Lucy) when she suggested that the show keep Hughes, who guested as attorney Elise Vance. General Hospital apparently disagreed. But that’s OK. The Gates could provide a much bigger showcase for the American Housewife alum.

• Rome Flynn

  

  The alum of The Bold and the Beautiful and How to Get Away With Murder would be a “get” for any show. Trouble is, so many seem to want him that it might be impossible to recruit him for a full-time soap role.

• Tonya Pinkins

  

  Formerly Livia on All My Children, this Tony winner would be brilliantly cast in a role that allowed her to show off her amazing vocals. Perhaps the main attraction at the nightclub frequented by the Richie Riches of The Gates?

• Veronica Redd

  

  As much as we love having the Young & Restless vet back as Mamie, we’d prefer that she do something other than blather on about corporate structures. Save her from nonstop talk about Chancellor-Winters, won’t you, The Gates?

• Tyler Lepley

  

  Every soap needs a card-carrying hunk, and we’ve got one right here for The Gates: the muscle-bound heartthrob who brought to life passion’s plaything Benny on The Haves and the Have Nots for the entire duration of the OWN soap’s run.

• Amber Riley

  

  If The Gates let in the Glee grad who played Mercedes, she could not only do what she does best — steal scenes without even trying — she could potentially belt out the theme song.

• Barrett Doss

  

  The end of Station 19 could also be a new beginning for the MVP who plays Vic. If The Gates wants a heroine who has romantic-dramedy in her veins, Doss should rise to the top of its wish list.

• Peter Parros

  

  After passing through One Life to Live and As the World Turns, Parros shed his nice-guy persona to play disaster magnet David on The Haves and the Have Nots. Something tells us he has even more tricks up his sleeve.

• Felisha Cooper

  

  The Bold and the Beautiful had on its hands a red-hot star in the making in the actress who played Julius’ illegitimate daughter, Sasha. Perhaps The Gates will do for her what her previous soap didn’t.

• Mishael Morgan

  

  If the Young & Restless Emmy winner wants to do more than just pop in occasionally as Amanda, she could resurrect Hilary — not literally, just in a way — as The Gates’ resident vixen.

• Keith Hamilton Cobb

  

  Much more than just All My Children‘s Noah, the Shakespearean-trained actor possesses the charisma and gravitas to create for The Gates a villain who is smooth, sexy and infuriating in equal measure.

• Crystal R. Fox

  

  No matter how crazy The Haves and the Have Nots got — and it got damn crazy! — this MVP kept the drama grounded in reality as down-to-earth Hanna. She’d be an asset to any show but especially one like The Gates that hopes to wow from day one.

• Jerrika Hinton

  

  The Grey’s Anatomy vet made a lasting impression as embattled young doc Stephanie. In fact, so lasting was the impression that we hope The Gates will swing open for her, with or without a lab coat and a stethoscope.

• Kendrick Sampson

  

  Insecure’s Nathan may not have gotten the girl when the HBO dramedy ended. But we have a feeling his portrayer would have better luck with a new character on The Gates. Look at that face — come on!

• Karla Mosley

  

  The Bold and the Beautiful let this soap-hopper fade away as groundbreaking Maya. The Gates could right that wrong by returning her to the place that she belongs: the spotlight.

• Victoria Rowell

  

  The Young & Restless vet, who has long been a vocal advocate for greater diversity and representation in daytime, is a casting no-brainer as an impulsive troublemaker who’d make Dru seem chill by comparison.

• Gavin Houston

  

  General Hospital had him. They had him! And they did diddly with him. If The Gates is smart — and we have a hunch that its powers that be are — it’ll snap up the charismatic leading man and take far better advantage of what he has to offer.

• Taraji P. Henson

  

  We know, we know — the odds of the Empire star ditching her flourishing movie career to headline a daytime soap are slim to none. But hey, we did say this was our dream casting for The Gates. And if we’re gonna dream, we’re gonna dream big!

• Jonelle Allen

  

  The veteran actress, who stole the show as Generations’ wonderfully wicked Doreen, is a must-get for The Gates. She has the same effect on a scene that alcohol does on a glass of soda!

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