Soap alum Greg Vaughan shakes up Daytime and joins "Beyond The Gates" in new role

Reel Perspectives

October 8, 2025

Fairmont Crest just got a little bit hotter.

News of the hunky star joining CBS's newest soap, "Beyond The Gates," earlier this week set the daytime world on fire and sparked social media excitement among fans over the veteran soap alum's addition to their favorite soap.

"Beyond The Gates" premiered in February and the groundbreaking new series is the first new soap opera since NBC debuted "Passions" in 1999. Set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C, the series follows the Duprees, "a powerful and prestigious multi-generational family that is the very definition of Black royalty."

Speculation was at a fever pitch when cast member Trisha Mann-Grant shared a video on Instagram to celebrate fellow cast member Clifton Davis' 80th birthday on October 3, and Vaughan can be clearly seen in the background.

Back in July, showrunner and creator Michele Van Jean hinted to Deadline that a seasoned soap opera actor, described as a "hot male," would be joining the cast, sparking immediate speculation among fans.

Vaughan, who began his professional acting career in 1996, is no stranger to Daytime Television. In addition to his film and primetime roles, he has appeared in several soap operas, including "The Young and the Restless", "General Hospital", and most recently, "Days of Our Lives", where he played the hugely popular character Eric Brady. In 2018, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and he departed the role in 2020.

While details of his character remain under wraps, a representative for the show shared that the soap vet will join the cast ahead of Season 2. In a press release to Entertainment Weekly, the actor expressed his excitement, stating, "I'm incredibly honored and excited to be joining the Beyond the Gates family this season," Vaughan told EW. "It's a phenomenal ensemble and creative team, and stepping into it from day one has been both creatively fulfilling and wonderfully welcoming from all the cast and crew!"

The surprise casting announcement comes on the heels of major casting changes as Alex Cheeks recently debuted as Donnell McBride. Jason Graham, who played troubled Doug McBride, exited the role last month, and David Liam Friebe is set to debut as Izaiah Hawthorne, shaking up the younger set.

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"Beyond the Gates" airs weekdays on CBS at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, and is also available to stream on Paramount+.

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