Maurice P. Kerry is watching the CBS daytime drama “Beyond the Gates” as it airs from 2 to 3 p.m. weekdays, and he often posts his reactions to the storyline live on the social media platform X.
“Drama unfolds,” said the 43-year-old Buford resident, who also happens to play the recurring role of Randy Parker on the series, which premiered Feb. 24.
Since the premiere, Kerry has been shocked by the story, right along with viewers.
“I specifically do not read everything in the script,” he said. “I only stick to what Randy knows.”
Created by showrunner Michele Val Jean, “Beyond the Gates” is the first daytime drama centered on black characters in more than 35 years and the first soap opera to debut since “Passions” in 1999.
“I didn’t realize how serious it was at first, it didn’t hit me,” Kerry said of the show’s firsts. “Once it really started to sink in how monumental it was, it’s been an amazing feeling. I’ve been feeling very fortunate to be a part of it.”
set of the 2024 action-thriller “Gunner,” which also stars Morgan Freeman.
Kerry is now plays a recurring role on the CBS daytime drama “Beyond the Gates.”
Photo courtesy of Maurice P. Kerry.
The series follows the Dupree family — Vernon and Anita Dupree and their adult daughters Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson and Dani Dupree, as well as their families — as they navigate secrets and attempt to avoid scandal in their affluent gated community of Fairmont Crest. A host of residents interact with the Duprees, creating a web of connections that lead to dramatic situations.
Kerry said his character, Randy, works for the local casino owner, one of the show’s antagonists, and is best friends since childhood with Doug McBride, the husband of Vanessa McBride, a close friend to Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson.
“Randy gets stuck between a rock and a hard place because Doug has a gambling addiction,” Kerry revealed, noting Randy is in episodes 3, 8 and 10, and will appear in 15 more episodes with opportunities for additional screen time.
A decorated U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and former Gwinnett County firefighter, Kerry got his start in acting at the age of 37 with a guest role on the TV series “MacGyver.” He has since appeared in two episodes of the TV show “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” filmed the movie “Gunner” with Luke Hemsworth and Morgan Freeman, acted alongside Viola Davis in the anthology series “The First Lady,” was an extra in “Avengers: Endgame” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and starred in the action-thriller “Chasing Raine,” among other projects. He also plays a role in the Lifetime biopic “Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story.”
“It’s just been going up from there, more and more, and I’ve gotten to the point where I just don’t want to stop,” Kerry said of his initial role in “MacGyver.” “I want to win awards. It’s something to shoot for, a goal.”
Kerry is already receiving recognition for his acting endeavors. He is nominated for an inaugural ACE Honors Award for Creative Excellence in the category of Breakout Actor of the Year.
When he’s not filming scenes for “Beyond the Gates,” Kerry is enjoying his life as a single father raising his daughter, who turns 16 in April. He said he moved to Buford for the excellent educational opportunities Gwinnett County Schools offers.
“I didn’t want to raise my daughter anywhere else,” he said. “I wanted her to be in the best situation and the best area possible.”
Despite his numerous acting credits, Kerry said he is an average person — one who likes to interact with viewers.
“It’s fun sometimes when the person on TV interacts with you,” Kerry said.
“Somebody once called me, and I liked it so much, you’re like ‘the people’s actor,’” he said. “I understand where the average person comes from, because I have been and I am the average person, I just happen to be an average person on TV.”
In addition to its daytime slot on CBS, “Beyond the Gates” streams on demand through Paramount Plus, and Kerry gives credit to the company.
“I’m grateful for being a part of the Paramount Plus family,” he said, noting that as a veteran, he was impressed to learn Paramount Plus has the Paramount Veterans Network, which provides mentoring, guidance and career counseling for transitioning veterans, works with leaders in the military and veteran communities on initiatives that promote education, training and employment and provides pro bono legal assistance to veterans and their families. The Paramount Veterans Network also works with several properties within Paramount Global to ensure that the military and veteran communities are accurately, authentically and respectfully portrayed on Paramount’s networks.
Follow Maurice P. Kerry on X and Instagram under the handles @mauricepkerry.
FEATURED PHOTO: Buford resident Maurice P. Kerry is part of the cast of “Beyond the Gates,” a CBS daytime drama that follows an affluent black family living in a gates community. Kerry plays Randy Parker on the series. Photo courtesy of Maurice P. Kerry.
