Arielle Prepetit Talks Beyond the Gates Storyline, What’s Ahead and More (EXCLUSIVE)

One of the best things about daytime’s newcomer, Beyond the Gates, is that we have been given an opportunity to meet and fall in love with so many new, wonderful actors and characters. And undoubtedly, we have! Excited, eager, and enthusiastic are just a few words that come to mind to describe our mood at the opportunity to chat with one of the newest members of our daytime family, Arielle Prepetit (Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne, Beyond the Gates).

As we have all seen over the last couple of months, Prepetit is talented, beautiful, and is artfully carving out her place in daytime. And we are happy to report that she is everything you’d expect her to be. Prepetit’s energy and effervescence equals Naomi’s, and it was such a delight to chat it up with her.

First generation Haitian American born and raised in Orlando, FL, Prepetit’s artistic pursuits were birthed in dance at the age of five. She dreamed of being a dancer on Broadway, and it was that dream that led her to take voice lessons and acting classes. In high school, she took a television and film class, fell in love, and “never looked back.”

Prepetit is one of us; like a lot of us soapers, she grew up watching soaps with her grandmother. “My grandmother did not speak English, but she could tell me exactly what was happening on the screen. I watched all the drama and chaos unfold with her. My grandmother passed away about a year and a half ago. So, to be on a soap is full circle. I wish she was here to see me on screen.”

Arielle Prepeit on Beyond the Gates Storyline

Now about two months (on-screen) old, the show is in full swing and Prepetit’s Naomi finds herself front and center embroiled in a contentious sexual harassment/hostile workplace lawsuit, opposite Naomi’s father, Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett).

SON: The first few weeks of the show, the producers and writers did an excellent job laying a foundation with the Dani/Bill/Hayley drama. Then they added the lawsuit on top of it. How was it for you when you found out that you would be in a front-burner storyline so soon?

Prepetit: I found out about the storyline pretty early on when we first started filming, and I thought, oh wow, that’s going to be juicy! I like it!

SON: We do too! We are just getting to know the characters; still, it is clear from our end that the storyline and the characters’ reactions and involvement have been well thought out. How is it for you playing it?

Prepetit: It is very exciting to play. On the outside, it might seem like Naomi is suing her dad to spite him, to get back at him for marrying Hayley. It is fair to say maybe at the beginning it was a little icing on the cake. But it goes a lot deeper for her. She believes in getting justice for these women. Ultimately, it is why she took the case that just happens to be against her father.

It is very layered and very complicated. It’s fun to play those scenes with Timon and it’s been fun to see the reactions from the fans too.

SON: When you mentioned layered, the scene that came to mind was when Naomi and Bill were in a heated argument about the case and Bill’s hand went numb. Naomi instantly switched from opposing attorney to concerned daughter. You played that beat brilliantly.

Prepetit: Thank you. She can be a little stubborn. She is her daddy’s daughter. She’s not quick to forgive and forget. But when his hand went numb, the case flew out the window. At the end of the day, he’s her dad. She loves him. That moment showed their history. They had a good relationship and things got really messed up.

Creating A New Drama

SON: It’s been a minute since daytime has had a new soap. One curious thing for us as we watch is the dual dynamic of creating this new space and world while simultaneously establishing a show’s history that will stand for years to come. Does this notion influence your artistic approach?

Prepetit: It is a bit tricky being involved in a show from the beginning. We started in the middle of a storyline (Bill/Dani/Hayley, etc.) with implied backstories. One way the writers have helped is by giving the actors additional direction in our scripts. They might have a note that says, ‘Naomi used to think Bill hung the moon.’ Or ‘As Naomi got older, she started to realize the kind of man Bill was.’ Their notes are very helpful for me to know how to approach different scenes at different times.

Also, flashbacks can add more history and context. There was a flashback between Naomi and Bill about Naomi’s first case, which is a good example of how useful they can be. And it was good to finally be able to play nice with Timon!

SON: Ha! Indeed! Love, couples, and romance are the bedrock of daytime. Naomi has a great husband in Jacob (Jibre Hordges). What can we expect from them? Also, could this pairing be the first to have an on-screen baby?

Prepetit: I absolutely love Jacob and Naomi’s relationship. They are each other’s number one supporter, except for when he had her mom arrested. Chuckle. They can be 100% themselves with each other. They are solid and I love that about them.

As far as kids, I think Naomi’s career is her main focus right now. And after seeing her mom, Dani (Kara Mosley), getting married young, having kids, giving up her career and Bill leaving her for Hayley, it will be interesting to see how the writers deal with Jacob and Naomi starting a family.

SON: Love that perspective. It is clear you have a keen sense of awareness about your character. Living with Naomi for the last several months, how else do you see her? 

Prepetit: I feel like I am only beginning to scratch her surface. But right now, I know she is loyal. She cares about helping people, especially those who are not being treated fairly. Naomi and Jacob live outside the gates. She likes helping real people with real problems and issues. She’s extremely loyal and will go above and beyond for her clients and her family. She’s also extremely passionate about what she believes in and those she loves.

I am enjoying portraying her, and I am excited to see how myself and the writers expand and evolve her.

SON: Our soap world is its own unique domain. We are a unique, quirky, and lovable bunch. How has your indoctrination been into the soap world? Chuckle.

Prepetit: I am so lucky that our executive producers, Sheila Ducksworth and Michele Val Jean, took chances on people who didn’t have as extensive resumes as some actors have. So, we are learning this new world together. Our entire cast is great, and I am proud to be a part of it.

The fans are awesome. People reach out to me and tell me how much they love me, Naomi, and the show.  The fans are so invested because we are in their homes every day. The soap world is a unique experience all its own. It’s been a roller coaster, in the best way. I love it.

What’s Ahead?

SON: Arielle, thank you so much for speaking with us. It has been our pleasure. Before we let you go, what upcoming appetizing tidbits can you leave with us about Naomi and Beyond the Gates?

Prepetit: Thank you! Not to give too much away, but of course, the storyline between Bill and Naomi isn’t done. The fans can look forward to seeing it play out. Also, who knows, there may be a musical number or two along with some other fun stuff. But you know the fun can’t last too long so there is going to be scandal. There is much fun ahead!

Fun and scandal? Can’t wait!

Watch Beyond the Gates on CBS daytime and streaming on Paramount Plus! (Photo Credit: CBS/Quantrell Colbert)