Monday, May 18, 2026

Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) and Dr. Nicole Dupree (Daphnée Duplaix) hosted a pre-cotillion gathering for Samantha Richardson-Smith (Najah Jackson) and Jessica Harris (Camryn Jade). Kat Richardson (Colby Natasha Nixon) and Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla) were also present while Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle) assisted Samantha Richardson-Smith and Harris with their hair.

The ChelseaKat junior ambassador was saddened that her great-grandmother could not attend the festivities, but then Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) surprised her by arriving stylishly dressed for the cotillion. June Hughes (Jasmine Burke) also arrived, which delighted her daughter. While Thomas fixed Hughes’ hair, Samantha Richardson-Smith, Harris and Hughes surprised her with her favorite perfume and sang “Happy Birthday” to her.

With Naomi Hamilton-Hawthorne’s (Arielle Prepetit) arrival, all the Dupree women were finally gathered at Dr. Dupree’s home. The Dupree matriarch gave a toast to Chelsea Hamilton for how she handled the reporter harassing her fiancé, Dr. Madison Montgomery (Kenjah McNeil).

Dani Dupree later pulled her older sister aside and teasingly questioned whether she was still fantasizing about her ex-husband, Dr. Ted Richardson (Keith Robinson), in her bed.

Meanwhile, at Uptown, Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) flashed back to getting ready for Hamilton-Hawthorne’s cotillion debut with his ex-wife years earlier. His thoughts were interrupted by his current wife, Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings), who questioned whether his mood stemmed from nostalgia or missing his closeness with the Duprees.

The renowned criminal defense attorney acknowledged the father-son type bond he once shared with Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) before shifting the conversation to Lawson’s past and asking who supported her after her parents died. The paralegal was visibly annoyed by her husband’s insistence that he meet her family.

At the Dupree mansion, Vernon Dupree gathered all the men in the family together. Congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) explained to his son, Tyrell Richardson-Smith (Jaden Lucas Miller Smith), that the pre-cotillion pregaming was a family tradition.

Dr. Richardson offered his support to his former father-in-law while Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) captured memorable family photos. Later, the plastic surgeon opened up to his nephew about being back at the Dupree mansion, admitting that Nicole Dupree had seemed different during their previous interaction at the country club.

At the warehouse, Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) started asking questions after Ren Tolliver (Donny Carrington) informed him that the meeting was about moving the plasma operation out of the DMV. Tolliver received a call from Dr. Lia Whitmore (Cecelia Specht), who assured him that Grayson Perez (Jordi Vilasuso) was in position to make the drop.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Samantha Richardson-Smith began to panic when Donnell McBride (Alex Cheeks) failed to arrive before the cotillion introductions started. Martin Richardson and Bradley “Smitty” Smith (Mike Manning) received a text from their daughter telling them that he was missing.

The two spoke with Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli), who became alarmed when she realized her son had not arrived. Francesca Belleclaire (Madison Alsobrook) then tried teasing her Platinum Debutante rival about Donnell McBride’s absence, but Harris pointed out that Francesca Belleclaire’s own date, Nathan Maffee (Brennen Suttle), was too busy flirting with the other debs.

Kat Richardson and Chelsea Hamilton scrambled after learning that the cotillion’s original speaker, Ms. Imogene, had fallen ill. The Dupree women quickly regrouped and ultimately had the cousin-bestie duo step in to handle the introductions.

“ChelseaKat” announced the 2026 debutantes and highlighted each young woman’s community service project. When Samantha Richardson-Smith was introduced, Francesca Belleclaire stepped on her dress, nearly causing her to fall.

Disaster was avoided when Donnell McBride arrived just in time to catch and escort her. When Harris was introduced, she added a little extra flair to her curtsy, which impressed Dani Dupree. The Dupree sisters later introduced the debs and their escorts before they waltzed.

While family members proudly looked on, the waltz was mixed with modern dance moves into the traditional routine, delighting some attendees while leaving others, including Harris’ parents, visibly displeased.

Later, as Andre Richardson took photos of Harris and Tyrell Richardson-Smith, the future UCLA student was abruptly pulled away by her parents. Her father chastised her “Video vixen” like behavior and called her an embarrassment to the family.

It soon came time for Anita Dupree to announce that Deanna McBride (Angela Fairley) would be the presenter for this year’s Platinum Deb honor. The Banneker student thanked the Barrington County Debutante Society for welcoming her back.

Meanwhile, Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) received a call from Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom) at Orphey Gene’s, who instructed him to get to the warehouse immediately. Detective Marcel Malone (Darryl W. Handy) and Chief Elon Hawthorne (Malachi Malik) were already staking out the location when Parker got caught sneaking around. The officers quickly ordered him into the back of their police car.

Perez had nervously arrived at the warehouse to meet Tolliver and Jacob Hawthorne with the plasma. While working and still undercover, Jacob Hawthorne discovered that Baldwin had followed Perez to the warehouse after their tense encounter at the free clinic.

The undercover cop demanded that Baldwin hide until he gave the signal to leave. Later, Dr. Whitmore arrived to meet “Rashad” and ensure that he understood the rules of the operation.

Whitmore was stunned when Rashad’s true identity was revealed to be Jacob Hawthorne and immediately attempted to negotiate a deal. Tolliver soon realized there was a rat and suspected Perez.

Tolliver ordered the undercover cop to kill Perez, but Jacob Hawthorne instead revealed himself as a police officer and told Perez to move where he was standing. As the truth began to sink in, Tolliver warned Jacob Hawthorne that he would pay for this betrayal.

When Baldwin then noticed an armed man approaching his best friend from behind, he jumped into action, tackling the shooter. Gunshots rang out, and Chief Hawthorne and Malone alerted their backup.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Deanna McBride held the card naming the 2026 Platinum Deb in her hand and immediately realized that there might have been a mistake after seeing Francesca Belleclaire’s name written on it. Anastasia Belleclaire (Timeca Seretti) insisted that her granddaughter had won fair and square and proudly declared that an “Almighty Dupree” had not taken the crown this time.

She quickly placed the sash and crown on Francesca Belleclaire. However, Donnell McBride discovered the correct card hidden in Maffee’s pocket after noticing that he was intoxicated.

Deanna McBride called Ms. Imogene and confirmed that Samantha Richardson-Smith was the rightful winner, leaving her family and friends ecstatic. Francesca Belleclaire reluctantly handed over the sash and crown before storming out with her grandmother.

Samantha Richardson-Smith shared a dance with Martin Richardson, and Smith later joined his daughter on the dance floor. The congressman was later confronted by Harris’ parents after the three realized that their children had disappeared from the cotillion together.

Meanwhile, Harris took her boyfriend to her family’s beach house, where the young couple decided to be intimate for the first time. Harris and Tyrell Richardson-Smith also discussed what life after graduation would look like for them, since they are attending different universities.

Chief Hawthorne hovered over his son, fearing the worst after the shooting. Jacob Hawthorne eventually regained consciousness but quickly saw that Baldwin had been shot.

Perez applied pressure to Baldwin’s wound while Dr. Whitmore rushed over to assist. Jacob Hawthorne remained by Baldwin’s side, attempting to keep his friend calm and awake.

Parker updated Armstrong about the chaos that went down at the warehouse. The Lakeview Casino owner later contacted Vanessa McBride and instructed her to inform Hamilton-Hawthorne that Jacob Hawthorne may have been involved in a shooting.

The Fairmont Crest realtor quickly relayed the information, prompting Hamilton-Hawthorne to rush to Garland Memorial Hospital. Simultaneously, Jacob Hawthorne arrived at the hospital with Baldwin on a stretcher, where Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob) immediately spotted him.

Jacob Hawthorne later called Smith to explain what happened. Then his wife arrived, relieved to find her husband very much alive.

Despite the earlier drama during the cotillion, the celebration continued as Samantha Richardson-Smith danced the night away with Donnell McBride, and the family spent the remainder of the evening mingling.

Emotions ran high at the hospital as nurse Shanice Johnson (Ernestine Johnson) silently confirmed that Baldwin had died with a solemn nod of her head and tears running down her cheek. Johnson, Morgan, Hamilton-Hawthorne and Jacob Hawthorne were all completely devastated.

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Perez did a video interview with Jacob Hawthorne recounting the events of the previous night. The lab worker expressed remorse over everything that had happened, but Jacob Hawthorne reassured him that Baldwin’s death was not his fault.

The policeman informed Perez that testifying would be required as part of his immunity agreement, but told him that he could remain anonymous and keep his hospital job. During their conversation, Tolliver was escorted past them in handcuffs and warned that the information he possessed about the Impaler would have him out of jail in no time.

Later on, Malone visited Dr. Whitmore at the hospital, where she remained handcuffed to her bed. He urged her to cooperate and suggested that there was still a chance to salvage what remained of her life if she told him everything she knew.

The former Garland Memorial chief of staff refused to say another word without an attorney present. Nurse Johnson also stopped by to check Whitmore’s vitals, but quickly shut down her ex-boss’ attempts at gaining sympathy. Johnson stated that she intends to make sure the hospital’s nursing staff remain proud to work and declared that Whitmore could rot in hell for her involvement in Baldwin’s death.

During a rough conversation between Donnell McBride and his mother at the country club, Vanessa McBride defended her boyfriend and accused her son of letting his twin sister, Deanna McBride, influence his thinking. Donnell McBride later returned Armstrong’s cufflinks and accused him of manipulating everyone, which further intensified tensions.

At the Hamilton law firm, Tomas Navarro (Alex Alegria) and Bill Hamilton discussed the plasma ring investigation and Whitmore’s involvement. Bill Hamilton pointed out that his daughter could have lost her husband because of the investigation and remarked that Whitmore would need a strong attorney.

Kat Richardson overheard the conversation as she entered the office and was appalled at the idea of them taking Whitmore’s case. The ChelseaKat business manager later sat down with both men as they speculated that Lynette Wise (Dominique Madison) could have been tied to the operation.

When Kat Richardson attempted to weigh in on the discussion, her former uncle-in-law reminded her that she would not be involved in the firm’s work. Later, Navarro and Kat Richardson continued discussing the case at the country club, where Vanessa McBride overheard them.

Hamilton-Hawthorne later visited her father, explaining that she needed work to keep her mind occupied. Bill Hamilton offered condolences over Baldwin’s death and assured his daughter that she could lean on him whenever needed.

Elsewhere, Jacob Hawthorne questioned Dr. Whitmore in hopes of getting her to reveal the identity of the Impaler in exchange for an immunity deal. However, she insisted that she did not know who it was and couldn’t name the person if someone put a gun to her head.

Friday, May 22, 2026

After overhearing Navarro and Kat Richardson discussing Whitmore’s case and the possibility that she may have been responsible for whatever happened to Wise, Vanessa McBride approached their table. The realtor defended Whitmore and argued that jumping from a plasma ring investigation to murder was a stretch.

When Navarro shifted the focus to cotillion, Vanessa McBride made several disparaging remarks about Deanna McBride, unaware that her daughter, who was standing right behind her, had heard everything. The mother-daughter duo exchanged words before Vanessa McBride walked away.

Deanna McBride later sat down with Kat Richardson, who encouraged her to protect her peace. The Banneker student admitted that their talk had given her a lot to think about. Afterward, the ChelseaKat business manager called her boyfriend, thanking him for stepping away so she could have the conversation privately.

Dr. Richardson approached an overwhelmed Johnson and encouraged her to take a break. After the head nurse refused, Dr. Richardson later approached his ex-wife and suggested that Johnson would possibly be more willing to confide in her. Dr. Dupree eventually sat down with her colleague, offered her emotional support and encouraged her to take some time away from work.

Vernon Dupree and Anita Dupree arrived at Garland Memorial to meet with their former son-in-law. The retired senator stressed that the hospital needed to name a new chief of staff sooner rather than later.

Anita Dupree revealed that they were leaning toward Dr. Monica McCormick (Iona Morris) for the position, but Dr. Richardson suggested that they may have been overlooking their eldest daughter as a possibility.

The Dupree matriarch and patriarch questioned the plastic surgeon’s motives for pushing Dr. Dupree for the role and insisted that he should discuss the matter with her first. Despite the conversation, Anita and Vernon Dupree still viewed Dr. McCormick as their top choice.

Later, Vanessa McBride met up with her best friend for drinks to discuss Deanna McBride. The realtor admitted that she wished her daughter could be more like Kat Richardson and praised Dr. Dupree for raising a daughter capable of moving past her mother’s personal choices.

An absolute shocker happened when Deanna McBride suddenly heard the voice of her late father, Dr. Doug McBride (Jason Graham), at the country club. Deanna McBride was stunned to discover him standing behind her.

Is Dr. McBride really back? Or is Deanna McBride hallucinating their entire encounter? It looks like viewers will have to keep watching to find out. “Beyond the Gates” airs on CBS at 2 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.