In 1968, Ellen Holly became the first Black lead on a soap ("One Life to Live") while the true breakthrough roles had to wait until the '80s with Darnell Williams and Debbi Morgan on "All My Children," then the '90s, with Kristoff St. John on "The Young and the Restless."

CBS's new drama "Beyond the Gates" is the first daytime soap opera greenlit in 25 years—and the first Black-led soap in over three decades. The series follows the powerful Dupree family navigating life in an affluent Maryland suburb.

The new Atlanta-filmed series "Beyond the Gates" is the first new network daytime soap opera in over 25 years and the first daytime venture to feature a majority African American cast.