Jordi Vilasuso Talks Beyond the Gates, Daytime Legacy and Why “Be Careful” Is Grayson’s Warning

Daytime television has a way of pulling audiences in and never quite letting go and if there’s anyone who understands that better than most, it’s Jordi Vilasuso. A familiar face to soap fans thanks to memorable runs on Guiding Light and The Young and the Restless, Vilasuso is stepping into a new chapter with CBS’s Beyond the Gates, a series already making noise for all the right reasons.

During a recent episode of The TV Cave’s Soap Wire Podcast, Vilasuso and I sat down for a candid conversation about his career, his approach to acting and why Beyond the Gates feels like something special, not just for him, but for daytime television as a whole.

For Vilasuso, longevity in soaps has always been about staying grounded.

“I just try to get back to the basics,” he shared. “You want to feel open to telling the story to the best of your ability… when you’re in the zone and dialed in, that’s what you go for.”

After decades in the industry, it’s clear he’s less interested in flash and more invested in authenticity, a quality that serves him well in the emotionally charged world of daytime drama.

That authenticity is especially important on Beyond the Gates, CBS’s newest soap and the first daytime drama in years centered on a wealthy, influential Black family. Set within a powerful community and layered with ambition, romance and secrets, the series represents a long-overdue shift for the genre. It’s not lost on viewers or the industry. The show was recently nominated for a NAACP Image Award, a milestone moment that underscores its cultural significance and growing impact.

Vilasuso’s character, Grayson, fits seamlessly into that larger story while still bringing something personal to the screen. One of the aspects that drew him to the role was Grayson’s devotion to his mother, a trait Vilasuso describes as central to who the character is. That sense of responsibility, loyalty and quiet chivalry gives Grayson layers beyond the standard soap archetype and Vilasuso is clearly enjoying the nuance.

Equally compelling is his on-screen chemistry with co-star Jen Jacobs, who plays Ashley. Vilasuso didn’t hold back when praising their dynamic, calling their scenes together “a great tennis game.” He added that Jacobs is “very smart” and deeply invested in the story, noting how rare and valuable that kind of creative partnership can be in daytime television. For soap fans, that chemistry is already translating on screen, setting the stage for what could become one of the show’s most talked-about pairings.

Courtesy of CBS

Despite being a Daytime Emmy winner, Vilasuso remains refreshingly grounded about accolades. Awards, he explained, set a standard rather than an endpoint. When the story is strong, the work follows and when it isn’t, the responsibility to show up doesn’t change. It’s a mindset that feels especially fitting on a series like Beyond the Gates, where the stakes go beyond ratings and into representation.

And while the drama is front and center, Vilasuso is also a firm believer in humor. “The humor is so important,” he said. “It lightens the mood and makes you more loose.” In a genre known for emotional extremes, those lighter moments often become what audiences remember most, the human beats between the chaos.

As Beyond the Gates continues to find its footing and earn recognition, Vilasuso seems right at home. When asked to tease what’s ahead for Grayson, he offered three words that say just enough: “Be careful, please.”

Soap fans would be wise to take that warning seriously. Between its cultural weight, compelling performances and actors like Jordi Vilasuso clearly firing on all cylinders.