Beyond the Gates creator Michele Val Jean previews what's happening next in Fairmont Crest!

Michele Val Jean, creator, head writer, and executive producer of Beyond the Gates, is previewing what's coming up on the CBS soap she created. Upcoming highlights include Thorsten Kaye, who plays Ridge on The Bold and the Beautiful, crossing over to BTG.

Beyond the Gates, beyond expectations!

Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree) and Clifton Davis (Vernon Dupree) are happily wed -- for now -- on Beyond the Gates | Image: CBS/Quantrell Colbert

TV Insider interviewed Val Jean about the success of her creation. The scribe said it was a literal dream come true. She never expected the show to get picked up, given so many have been cancelled over the last decade plus. Val Jean had worked on the show for four years, and she was amazed to hear actors breathe life into her words for the first time!

Val Jean credits Sheila Ducksworth, president of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, for being an immeasurable supporter of the series. "She always believed it was going to go," Val Jean says.

As the show moves forward, Val Jean says her focus is to push boundaries while staying true to the heart of the genre. She also wants to keep viewers feeling surprised. "I see a lot of speculation online about where we're going, and it makes me smile, because a lot of the time that's not where we're going,"

What's next on Beyond the Gates

Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) from The Bold and the Beautiful will meet Dani (Karla Mosley) on Beyond the Gates | Image: JPI

CBS has announced that Thorsten Kaye (Ridge, B&B) will be crossing over to BTG. This comes on the heels of Bryton James's trip to Fairmont Crest, where he played his role as Devon on The Young and the Restless. "I loved Bryton, but because of my history on [B&B], it was just really, really fun for me to cross Thorsten and Karla [Mosley, Dani; ex-Maya, B&B]. And I hope we do more crossovers."

Viewers can also expect to discover that Anita (Tamara Tunie) and Vernon's (Clifton Davis) marriage may not be on solid footing. Dani and Andre's (Sean Freeman) trip could lead to shocking revelations, which will send Dani towards a promising connection with Ridge (from B&B). Watch for a casting announcement that Val Jean says "that soap fans will like."

Additionally, Nicole's (Daphnée Duplaix) journey as a single woman sends her down a path toward her longtime friend Carlton (Robert Christopher Reilly). Martin (Brandon Claybon) and Smitty (Mike Manning) will work to re-establish their commitment to each other. Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) and Jacob (Jibre Hordges) unexpectedly find themselves on opposite sides of a major marital dilemma.

Jacob’s brother, Izaiah Hawthorne (David Lami Friebe), hits town and immediately establishes two complicated relationships amidst his own family drama.

Eva (Ambyr Michelle), Kat (Colby Muhammad), and Tomas’ (Alex Alegria) love triangle hits a fever pitch. A surprising familial connection to Hayley (Marquita Goings) poses a threat to Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett).