The highly anticipated CBS soap opera crossover between The Young and the Restless and Beyond the Gates kicks off on Tuesday, June 9th.
Eric Braden Enjoyed Being Part of the Landmark Episodes
Members of the most prominent families in Genoa City will make their way to Fairmont Crest for Martin Richardson’s (Bradon Claybon) political fundraiser at the Fairmont Crest Country Club.
TV Insider recently interviewed the Y&R and BTG cast members who will be involved in this epic multi-episode crossover event.
Victor Newman (Eric Braden) is set to be Martin’s keynote speaker at the fundraiser. He’s also making a sizeable donation to Martin’s campaign.
Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Victor go way back. Apparently, Victor has backed several of Vernon’s political endeavors in the past.
Braden said that traveling to Atlanta to film these episodes for BTG was an instant yes for him. He was excited to be involved.
Braden exclaimed,
“I think a Black soap is sorely needed; it’s about time, so I said, ‘Let’s go.’” The BTG cast was both nervous and excited to share scenes with “the Great Victor Newman.”
Victor’s portrayer commented on the BTG cast’s collective feeling that it was an honor to stand next to him,
“That’s so nice to know. I am happy to hear it, but I don’t let it really sink in because I’ve known people who have allowed that to happen, and it changes them too much. I will be damned if that happens to me, so I don’t take it too seriously. I have seen some dreadful stories where you don’t recognize someone anymore after they believe all the publicity. They don’t remain who they are.”
Braden very much enjoyed being part of these landmark episodes.
Peter Bergman and Susan Walters are Bringing Jack and Diane to the Party
Peter Bergman, who plays Jack Abbott on Y&R, will also be featured on BTG for the event. Bergman gushed,
“When they told me this was going to happen, I responded so quickly. It’s always fun to go play Jack somewhere else, so I said, ‘Yes, I’d do it for free. Oh, did I just say that out loud?’ They didn’t make me do it for free, but it’s such a kick.”
Bergman said that he “felt like a guest at a very special party.” Susan Walters, who plays Diane Jenkins Abbott on Y&R, shared that she was personally very intimidated at first. However, since she grew up near the studio, she recognized some of the people working on the show.
Walters added,
“The atmosphere of this show is like that first year on a series where everybody’s really together and enthusiastic. Not that Y&R isn’t, but here it’s new, and you still smell the paint. It’s very exciting to be part of it.”
Interestingly, Diane’s portrayer admitted that while she’s there primarily to support Martin, she’s also intrigued by some of the handsome men in Fairmont Crest who may have caught her eye. So, we’ll see what drama goes down between Jack and Diane in Fairmont Crest now that their marriage is struggling.
Of course, since Jack and Victor are also sworn enemies, it will also be a hoot to see how they interact at this fundraiser and whether they mingle in those same circles.
Michael Mealor Said Kyle Plays a Key Role in the Action, along with Hayley
Michael Mealor, who plays Kyle Abbott on Y&R, admitted he was surprised to learn that Kyle would be involved. He said,
“I was honored that they wanted me to come. I mean, they have rolled out the red carpet for this entire crossover, and it’s so much fun. CBS has really pulled out all the stops.”
Mealor also shared that he’s from Atlanta and that his family was thrilled to hear the news that he would be coming back to his hometown for a visit.
Kyle actually plays a key role in the action. He’ll find himself enamored by Hayley Lawson Hamilton (Marquita Goings), who BTG fans know is married to Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). The two of them are even poised to share a passionate kiss.
Goings told TV Insider that she was a fan of The Young and the Restless while growing up, as she watched the soap with her grandmother since she was 5 years old. For Goings, seeing Eric Braden was a huge thrill.
Additionally, Kyle and Martin know each other from college, and they have been close ever since. They also both lived in New York at the same time. So, Kyle will also be there in support of his college buddy.
Mealor added,
“Kyle was a bit of a cat; he did what he wanted. And Martin seemed to be the voice of reason for everything. He was on the straight and narrow and tried to calm Kyle down, but they were still the best of friends.”
BTG Cast members Were Starstruck by the Y&R cast, especially the “Great Victor Newman.”
Keith D. Robinson, who plays Ted Richardson on BTG, and Sean Freeman, who plays Andre Richardson on BTG, were also starstruck by working with the one and only Victor Newman.
Karla Mosley, who plays Dani Dupree on BTG, is very familiar with the Y&R cast. She briefly played Amanda Sinclair a while back while Mishael Morgan was unavailable.
Dani’s portrayer was floored to see them all again. Bryton James, who plays Devon Winters on Y&R, was so excited to be back in Fairmont Crest. He visited earlier this year.
James was happy to come back to BTG,
“It’s definitely an honor to be asked back to do any kind of work, and I’m happy to do it,” he says. “Seeing the success of the show, they are in their second season. You know you’re a part of daytime history, I feel even more at home.”
Apparently, Anita will approach Devon about a very lucrative business idea. Meanwhile, Bill will find himself trapped in an elevator with Dani.
Abby Newman Winters, played by Melissa Ordway, is also coming to BTG with Devon. She hails from Atlanta as well. Ordway beamed,
“I love this show. It’s such a groundbreaking show, so to have anything to do with it is super exciting.”
Brandon Claybon (Martin)-“They’re Not Going to be Ready for This!”
Claybon, who plays Martin, hinted that the event will be worth watching, not only for BTG viewers but also for Y&R fans.
Martin’s portrayer teased,
“We had the coalition, and now we have the fundraiser, and they’re not going to be ready for this. It’s going to be a one-two punch, and it’s going to be awesome!”
Y&R and BTG fans need to stay tuned for this massive crossover event. There will be scandalous kisses and nightmare scenarios. Plus, a tornado will trap everyone at the Fairmont Crest Country Club, knocking out the power. The multi-episode crossover causes chaos that will bleed over from BTG to Y&R. Watch the soapy goodness ensue starting on BTG on June 9th.
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