James Reynolds has never been one to shy away from meaningful conversations, and during his recent appearance on the Soapy podcast, the Days of Our Lives icon once again proved

why his voice carries such weight in daytime television. Best known to millions as Abe Carver, a role he has embodied with dignity and depth for decades,

Reynolds used the platform not to talk about plot twists or personal accolades, but to spotlight something far bigger: the importance of authentic representation

in media and the cultural impact of CBS’s new daytime drama, Beyond the Gates.

Reynolds, who has been a fixture in the soap world since the early 1980s, spoke candidly with podcast hosts Greg Rikaart (Days of Our Lives) and Rebecca Budig (The Bold and the Beautiful) about the evolution of daytime television, the progress it has made, and the work that still lies ahead. At the center of the discussion was Beyond the Gates (often referred to as BTG), the first soap opera since Generations ended in 1991 to focus primarily on a Black cast and a Black upper middle class family.

For Reynolds, the significance of BTG is deeply personal.

A Veteran’s Perspective on a Long-Awaited Return

Having lived through multiple eras of television, Reynolds brings both historical awareness and lived experience to the conversation. Long before his iconic run as Abe Carver, he made history starring in Generations as Henry Marshall, the charismatic and successful “Ice Cream King of Chicago.” That series broke ground by centering Black families in a genre that had rarely done so, and although its run was brief, its impact was lasting.

Speaking on Soapy, Reynolds reflected on how rare it has been to see that kind of representation sustained over time.

“I feel great about it,” Reynolds said of Beyond the Gates. “I think it’s done several things. For one thing, it’s nice to have that exposure again for a Black upper middle class family, to show what the Black middle class is like. Too often we don’t see the Black middle class.”

His words carried the weight of decades spent watching the industry struggle—and sometimes fail—to tell a fuller story. Reynolds pointed out that when Black lives are depicted on screen, they are often shown at extremes, bouncing between hardship and exceptional wealth, with little room for the everyday realities in between. Beyond the Gates, he believes, fills that long-standing gap.

Black Identity Beyond Stereotypes

What resonated most strongly in Reynolds’ comments was his insistence that economic status does not erase racial identity. According to the actor, Beyond the Gates succeeds because it acknowledges a truth that is often ignored in mainstream storytelling.

“Your Blackness is important to your existence,” Reynolds explained. “No matter what. If you’re a billionaire—well, some billionaires. Wherever you fall on that economic scale, that is the essence of your existence in this country.”

Rather than stripping its characters of cultural context in pursuit of “universality,” BTG embraces it. Reynolds praised the show for weaving identity into its storytelling in a way that feels natural, layered, and, above all, entertaining.

“I think Beyond the Gates shows that in a most entertaining way,” he added. “A lovely way.”

Those words speak volumes coming from an actor who has spent over 40 years navigating an industry that has often struggled to balance entertainment with authenticity.

Revitalizing Daytime Television

Reynolds also highlighted another crucial impact of Beyond the Gates: its role in reigniting interest in daytime dramas at a time when the genre has faced shrinking budgets, reduced exposure, and questions about its long-term future.

According to Reynolds, BTG’s creative team has been particularly savvy in keeping the show visible and culturally relevant. He applauded their strategic use of publicity and community engagement, citing high-profile moments such as Food Network star Sunny Anderson’s visit to the set and CBS’s special Inside Fairmont Crest, which aired on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

These moments, Reynolds noted, do more than promote a single show—they remind audiences and networks alike that daytime television still matters.

By generating conversation beyond traditional soap circles, Beyond the Gates has helped reposition the genre as a space where socially relevant stories can thrive, not just survive.

Representation as a Mirror and a Window

One of the most powerful points Reynolds made during the podcast was about the dual role of representation. Shows like Beyond the Gates serve as a mirror for viewers who see their own lives, struggles, and aspirations reflected on screen. At the same time, they act as a window for audiences whose experiences may be vastly different.

This duality is what gives representation its power. It validates one group while educating another, fostering empathy and understanding in a way few other mediums can.

Reynolds emphasized that while BTG is a major step forward, it cannot—and should not—stand alone as the sole marker of progress. True inclusion, he argued, requires consistency across networks, genres, and platforms.

DAYS, Peacock, and Progress

The conversation also turned inward, with Reynolds acknowledging the strides Days of Our Lives itself has made in recent years. Greg Rikaart noted that the show’s move to Peacock has allowed for greater flexibility and inclusivity in storytelling, a point Reynolds agreed with.

Still, he stressed that progress is fragile and must be actively protected.

“We absolutely need the representation of everyone,” Reynolds said. “People of color have to continue to be able to put their hands in the dirt, and people hang on. Media representation is by far the best road to that because that’s what everybody sees.”

His words carried a sense of urgency, particularly in a cultural moment where gains in diversity and inclusion sometimes feel precarious.

Preserving History Through Visibility

At its core, Reynolds’ advocacy is about preventing erasure. When certain lives are consistently absent from screens, they risk being pushed out of the collective narrative. By contrast, when people of color are visible—whether in commercials, leading roles, or ensemble casts—it reinforces the truth of a diverse society.

This is why Reynolds is so vocal about media that refuses to whitewash history or flatten lived experiences. Representation, in his view, is not a trend or a checkbox; it is a responsibility.

As Beyond the Gates continues to make waves and Days of Our Lives evolves in the streaming era, Reynolds stands as both witness and guide—a reminder of where daytime television has been, and a hopeful voice for where it can still go.