Pictured: Sean Freeman.
CBS premiered “Beyond the Gates” on Monday, an American daytime soap opera showcasing the talents of many great actors, including one Troy alumnus.
“Beyond the Gates” is a history-making, first-of-its-kind Black-led soap opera set in the fictional Fairmont Crest community just outside of Washington, D.C. The series follows the Duprees, a filthy-rich affluent Black family with dramatic secrets.
Sean Freeman, a Dothan, Alabama, native and graduate of Troy University, plays Andre Richardson, a lavish but caring traveling photographer who is kin to the Duprees and often hangs around them.
Freeman took The Tropolitan through the casting and filming process.
“It was just a typical random audition,” Freeman said. “I get like two or three a week, and I send it in, so I didn’t really think anything of it until my agent contacted me a few weeks later and said, ‘Hey, they're considering you for this part.’”
Freeman said he experienced a lot of disbelief that he had a chance at booking the role.
“There was, you know, a thousand people auditioning for the same role, so you just try not to get your hopes up,” Freeman said. “Then eventually the email came, and they said I booked it.
“I had full confidence that it was real, but my mind didn't quite compute that this was actually happening until I got to the table to read and met the cast and the network executives and all that stuff. I was having a hard time believing it, honestly.”
Once the filming process began, Freeman said he overcame his feelings of doubt.
“I just kept reminding myself of my truths,” Freeman said. “I just remember all the wise counsel from people from back home, or from my faith in what God says about me, and my friends are very positive and uplifting.
“They encouraged me to take it step by step and not become so overwhelmed.”
Freeman has been in several films, plays and TV series in the past. He said this project is definitely the biggest.
“Normally for a movie you may have two to three cameras at any given time,” Freeman said.
“This soap opera has four to five cameras getting all kinds of interesting shots.
“That has been a huge difference -- and I don't have enough time to talk about how nerve wracking that is -- but it's fun at the same time because this set feels ike live theater caught on camera.”
“Beyond the Gates” was filmed in a large warehouse in Atlanta, which contained 27 different filming sets inside. The different sets included restaurants, a hotel, a country club, different homes and a hospital, to name a few.
Freeman said his background in theatre has helped him greatly in his journey to success.
“What I've learned from the greats, the people who are Oscar winners and Tony winners, they have a foundation deeply rooted in theatre,” Freeman said. “Although the mediums are different, I think that there's something really special about having that theatre background, and it really helps you translate your skill set and your talents a lot better in front of the camera.”
Freeman said the best part of this experience has been the rewarding feeling of having a ‘return on investment.’
“It’s really great to be at a level now where I can be self-sufficient using my artistry and all the years of work and development,” Freeman said. “Besides that, it’s nice to see the return on investment for my grandmother and people from back home who motivated me and supported me over these years — and they love soap operas.”
For young talents trying to make a name in the business, Freeman urges them to take a deep dive and decide what they truly want from this career.
“This is not pessimism; this is realism,” Freeman said. “I would urge anyone, but especially younger people who are still trying to figure it out, to truly take a deep dive and come to a concrete conclusion as to whether they truly want to be actors, and why.
“I truly believe that why you're doing something is going to sustain you and allow you to kind of keep doing it when you don't get an immediate return on your investment. If you don't have a desire to do it, this is not the career for you because it’s not for the faint of heart — let me make that clear — but it's amazing and so rewarding.”
Freeman also said his time at Troy truly shaped him into the person he is today.
“Specifically, it was the campus culture and how I felt received and that kind of always gave me the confidence to do a lot of different things,” Freeman said. “I was in the gospel choir, NABJ talent shows, all the social events and the parties, UAC, NAACP; I was just very involved.
“I didn't know it at the time, but that was helping me cultivate a foundation and playground to kind of just explore, and I appreciate it.”
Freeman will continue his multiple-year contract with “Beyond the Gates” for future seasons of the show and is currently working on writing his first original feature film. For more information on “Beyond the Gates” visit cbs.com/shows/beyond-the-gates/.
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