Maurice Johnson just landed the biggest role of his career.
“This is going to be a groundbreaker,” said the Augusta native and Glenn Hills High School graduate, who will play the lead in the new CBS soap “Beyond the Gates,” which is scheduled to air starting in early 2025. “This is huge for me. I’ll be working alongside Clifton Davis and others who came from the soap world.”
Performers cut a ribbon at Atlanta’s Assembly Studios on Oct. 30, and Johnson started filming scenes on Oct. 31.
A major network hasn’t launched a new soap since 1999 when NBC debuted “Passions.” A concept of CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, led by Sheila Ducksworth, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. “Beyond the Gates” will feature all of the steam that soaps are known for as well as the complicated relationships among its characters, but Johnson expects “Beyond the Gates” to offer diverse characters and plot lines.
“This is new and fresh. It’s not in the same cookie-cutter mold of soap operas we’ve come to know. It’s a new era. We’re trend setters,” he said.
One major difference from other daytime dramas of the past is that its cast is predominantly African American.
The central family includes Johnson as Dr. Ted Richardson, a plastic surgeon who lives in a gated community in an affluent Maryland suburb with his psychiatrist wife played by veteran performer Daphnee Duplaix, who has appeared in “One Life to Live.” The couple has a son who is an up-and-coming Congressman.
They are on an ambitious track of filming one episode a day and are currently working to build cast camaraderie that will translate to an on-screen family as well as shape roles that they hope will be on television for years to come. They even wrote letters and placed them in a time capsule that was buried at the studio to be opened after a milestone episode.
Johnson has performed numerous roles on the big and small screen. He’s been in television shows such as “Hawaii Five-0,” “Chicago Fire” and has a few new films scheduled for release including a comedy called “Operation: Aunties.”
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He passed on a couple of opportunities to be part of “Beyond the Gates.” One role would have included a long-term contract in Los Angeles, so he’s happy to be able to stay close to home. And he only inked the contract within the past month.
Johnson said there are multiple reasons he’s thrilled about this new soap.
“I believe in visuals. l think that’s what counts with kids. I grew up watching ‘The Cosby Show’ and seeing an affluent family that I didn’t see in Augusta. It gave me those visuals,” he said.
Johnson wants to be a role model for the younger generation and by showing an educated affluent character who grew up in a wealthy family, he believes that provides an image for people to aspire to become.
Also, he said being part of something brand new adds its own form of excitement.
“We’re not coming on ‘The Young and the Restless’ or ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’ and reprising a role. We’re able to create a role from ground up,” he said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
