Beyond the Gates Recap for 2025: The Best and the Worst of the Best and the Worst
If we were to do a Beyond the Gates recap for 2025, we’d be using phrases like “too long to list, but…” in reference to all of the best parts of the show. But now that we’ve reached the end of the first year, and the last episode of BTG has aired, it’s time for a quick round-up of what we’ve experienced — so far.
Beyond the Gates Recap 2025
Beyond the Gates hit the road running in late February 2025 with a momentum that quickly told audiences it was here to stay. It also made it clear that if you snooze, you lose. This fast-paced show wasn’t your ordinary sudser — the cast, the crew, the sets, the hair, the costume design, and most of all, the writing, delivered on what was promised.
It’s genuinely hard to find too much criticism in Fairmont Crest, but we’re going to do a speed round of The Soap Scene’s Best and the Worst of the Best and the Worst for Beyond the Gates before 2026 rings in. Let’s get to it.
Best Wedding: Dani & Andre
It may have been hard to top the competition when the ex-wife pulled a gun on the groom — but when said ex-wife, Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) and Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) had a drunken wedding at a Las Vegas chapel and got married by a celebrity impersonator of her mother, Anita (Tamara Tunie), it was ridiculous, campy…and hilarious.
Best Plot Twist: Operation Merry Widow
We knew Hayley (Marquita Goings) knew Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) — aka Sammy — we just didn’t know that they were cousins, or that Hayley’s real name was Val. Or that she wasn’t just a homewrecker and bad BFF, she was actually a wannabe murderer with a long list of unsolved crimes flailing out of her suitcase. Will they get caught? Will they change course? Will Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) die? Only 2026 knows, but since they’re expanding on their crew of partners in the crime, wethinks this underrated plot twist is about to get even more convoluted.
Best Surprise Addition: Joey Armstrong
Nothing warms our hearts more than a gangster with a heart. Okay, a few things tickle our fancy, but Jon Lindstrom joining the cast as bad boy Joey Armstrong was exactly what this show needed to round out the opulent world outside of his casino. From addicts to corrupt cops, Joey’s reach is far. We’re looking forward to 2026, when he has both hands in the political race while juggling Vanessa and Leslie.
Best Parents: Smitty, Martin, and June
June (Jasmine Burke) made some mistakes, but we’re sure that never once during any of her bad decisions did she think to herself, “Hey, one day The Soap Scene might want a word. I think I’ll change course.” So we’re not going to judge her past. What we can do is judge her present. She’s owned her past, she’s humble, she’s grateful, and she’s a mother bear when it comes to her kids — whom she happily watches being raised by Martin (Brandon Claybon) and Smitty (Mike Manning). Speaking of the Richardson dads, they’re firm but loving, and bringing June into the family fold took courage, trust, and so far seems to be the healthy choice for all.
Best Reality Check: ChelseaKat Handbags
Whoever came up with the idea to sell ChelseaKat handbags in real time was a genius. Not only did they do the original design, but after a complete sellout launch, fans had to join a waiting list for more. And now, they can get the Anita Baby design as well. Brilliant!
Worst Crossover: All of them, kinda
Sorry, but we gotta do a real critique on this one, but stick with us on the explanation. Devon’s (Bryton James) crossover was great. The Young and the Restless’ music exec meeting with Anita about The Articulettes record made sense and was believable. From The Bold and the Beautiful, Ridge’s (Thorsten Kaye) crossover couldn’t have been more Ridge: his big effort was from behind a desk in L.A., he couldn’t even meet anyone in person for a real crossover.
But the actual problem we have with the crossovers is what would have served their benefit much better. Do a reverse: Send Chelsea and Kat to see Lauren, or have them meet at Forrester Creations (or Logan Designs) to sell their bags. Send someone from BTG to one of their sister shows to bring back viewers with them. We could be wrong, but we think it could be more effective.
Best Actor: Tie
You didn’t seriously think we’d go there, did you? Not to get too repetitive, but find me a flaw in this cast. There just isn’t one. In the first year of character development and growth, you can expect some to take more time than others, but there’s something strange going on here. It’s like you can feel the vibe on set, like they’re championing for one another behind the scenes, lifting each other up in some form of teamwork that other shows have lost. BTG may be new, but the other soaps could take a lesson or two from it.
Best Comedy: Vanessa McBride
Whether it’s telling off snooty country clubbers or sticking her tongue out when she’s tipsy, Vanessa’s (Lauren Buglioli) comedic timing is perfection at all the right moments.
Best Crying: Eva Thomas
Love her or hate her, there is an undeniable truth about Eva: her guttural sobs will break a heart of stone. Ambyr Michelle can take Eva in any direction, from comebacks so quick you’ll get whiplash, to a keen sense of fire behind her eyes. But when she cries…it comes from a place deep within that brings tears to your eyes. Change this girl’s name to Emmy.
Best Surprise Couple: Tie.
Dani & Andre — who knew these two would be such a match? From who we were told they were a year ago to who they are now are two completely different people. When it’s right, it’s just right, and we’re glad they found one another.
Ted & Shanice — Ted (Keith D. Robinson) and Shanice’s (Ernestine Johnson) romance is so young, they just had their first kiss on New Year’s Eve, but if the chemistry we’ve seen so far is any indication of where this relationship is headed, we are on TeamShed for 2026.
Best Break Up: Ashley and Derek
They were good while they lasted, weren’t they? Nurse Ashley (Jen Jacob) and Derek the Fireman had all the markings of the perfect Rockwell painting relationship — but that was about as 3D as they got. An accident, a tryst, and a few lies later, these two broke up and we couldn’t be happier. Derek immediately realized he had game, Ashley’s coming out of her shell, and with new love interests for both on the horizon, the audience is getting a chemistry lesson we won’t regret. Ashley? Love. Derek? More, please. Together? Nope. These two need to stay in Fairmont Crest, but keep it in the friend zone for 2026.
Best Potential: The Hawthornes
From Jacob (Jibre Hordges) constantly being verbally and emotionally backhanded by Naomi (Arielle Prepetiti), to Izaiah’s (David Lami Friebe) never having a solid footing, to their dad Elon’s (Malachi Malik) never-ending criticisms, things are going to get messier for this family. They might seem quiet on the side of the Duprees, but they’re actually quite intertwined in nearly every storyline. Brother Luke is still out there as well, and all we need next is to meet the mother to make this family grow.
So what’s in store for 2026? Whatever we want and then some. Because that’s the thing about Beyond the Gates: Viewers want to see a specific pairing, or will guess where a storyline is going, but we’ll end up getting something completely different, in a way we didn’t know we needed. It’s a well-done soap, and we cannot wait to see what the new year brings for the show, the Daytime Emmys, and everyone in Fairmont Crest.
What were your favorites of Beyond the Gates‘ first year? Let us know in the comments!