Exclusive Interview: Cecelia Specht Gives Beyond the Gates Fans A First Look at Dr Lia Whitmore
Fans of Beyond the Gates are in for a treat this new season as the cast expands, new storylines are developing, and all the soapy drama continues in Fairmont Crest. Included in the anticipation is the addition of actress Cecelia Specht, whom The Soap Scene had the pleasure of speaking with today.
Cecelia Specht on Beyond the Gates
Beyond the Gates viewers are used to seeing the hub of activity at the nurses’ station at Garland Memorial Hospital. Soon, however, they’re going to meet the Chief of Staff, Dr. Lia Whitmore, when actress Cecelia Specht makes her first appearance in Fairmont Crest on February 13th.
Specht shared her excitement to be playing a role she loves. She described her character as “a highly trained professional, who is charismatic and respected.” Specht says that Whitmore comes across as someone with ties to many characters, is reputable and confident, and is looked up to.
“I like the fact that my character is introduced as that, as opposed to introduced as a love interest,” Specht shared. She said not being romantically linked to anyone gave her the freedom to own who Whitmore is as an accomplished professional.
“That’s another thing about this [show] that’s groundbreaking, is that a lot of the issues dealt with aren’t just about fighting over a man, but it has to do with professional relationships, friendships, and with one another as women. There are a lot of strong friendships that my character comes in as part of,” Specht added.
That said, Specht teased that in one of her conversations with a male character, it’s implied that they may have had a romantic past. Fans will have to wait and see who that is — and if it leads somewhere.
What It’s Like Going Beyond the Gates
Specht’s first scene will be with Daphnée Duplaix (Nicole) and Robert Christopher Riley (Carlton). She appreciated how supportive they both were during the filming of that episode, and noted that they treated her as their professional partner right from the start.
“I have to tell you, everyone…everyone…there — from the first person you meet coming through the door in the morning to the top producer and creator of the show — they are all so wonderful and nice, truly,” Specht shared. She said she has never experienced working on a show where absolutely everyone is so happy to be there, to be working together, having fun on and off screen, and yet so professional.
Specht said she and the rest of the cast have a great deal of respect for the writers. She appreciated how the characters’ lines were fine-tuned to accurately reflect how they would speak.
Specht also complimented the way the production is created in a true team environment, with all hands on deck when filming — and even between takes.
Specht laughed that her costars like Daphnée Duplaix (Nicole), Karla Mosley (Dani), and Lauren Buliogli (Vanessa) were quick to include her in their social media posts, which are always entertaining for fans. They’ll have to wait, however, until her episodes begin to air before they can share their antics.
A Lifetime Member of the Actor’s Studio
Specht’s decision to become an actress was a whim, but it was a decision made at a pivotal time. For most of her life, Specht believed her destiny was the U.S. Capitol, dedicating herself to political races and campaigns, all the way to the White House.
But after a health scare that almost took her life, she decided, while still in the hospital recovering, that she wanted to have a life with no regrets. From her hospital bed, she called the local theater group where she had been spending some of her spare time as a creative outlet and asked how to become a professional actor instead.
Long story short, Specht auditioned for and won acceptance into three acting programs in New York, “and didn’t look back.”
You can see Cecelia Specht’s first appearance on Beyond the Gates in the episode that airs Friday, February 13th, 2026.