Emmy Award winner Mike Manning reaffirms his versatile talent as he stars in the series Beyond the Gates, where he portrays one half of the first biracial gay couple raising children in daytime TV history. With a standout performance, Manning solidifies his place as one of the leading names of Hollywood’s new generation.
Beyond his success as an actor, Manning also makes his mark behind the scenes as a producer of award-winning films and socially engaged projects. His commitment to impactful storytelling is reflected in his philanthropic work, supporting causes such as LGBTQ+ rights, youth empowerment, and access to clean water through The Thirst Project, where he serves as a board member.
With the premiere of Beyond the Gates, now is the perfect time to celebrate Manning’s journey as he continues to build a career driven by talent and a passion for creating change within and beyond the entertainment industry.
Beyond the Gates marks a historic moment in daytime TV by featuring the first biracial gay couple raising children on an hourlong drama. What was it like for you to bring this role to life, and how important is this representation for the audience?
To me, the reason people watch television is either for the escapism from real life, or to relate to whatever is happening on screen – to see themselves in the lives of the characters they watch. In my opinion, one of the things that makes Beyond the Gates so special is that it’s allowing a wider variety of people to see themselves in these characters than have traditionally been included in daytime TV. Of course, there were other soaps that incorporated black and gay characters, but this is the first hourlong soap to center around a black family from its inception on network TV. And, like you said, includes the first biracial gay couple with two males having adopted kids. Welcome to 2025 y’all!
My character of “Smitty” is part of that representation, and I couldn’t be prouder. I want certain people to watch me and Brandon Claybon (the man playing my husband, also a congressman on the show) and be able to see themselves in those characters, to see the love our characters have for their kids and each other and think “I could have that too.” That is special.
In addition to acting, you have made a name for yourself as a producer of award-winning films and projects with strong social impact. What drives you the most in production, and how do you choose the stories you want to tell?
I moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue acting fifteen years ago. Shortly after I landed, I started working on movies and TV shows for Disney, MTV, CBS and others as an actor. I was comfortable and happy. Then, the universe threw a handful of amazing people into my life who were all working on different documentary films about important social causes and said, “you need to help.” I’ve always had a heart for charity since I was very young, and I loved making movies. So, I put them together and began producing these documentaries. Two that I’m very proud of are called Kidnapped for Christ (about child abuse from religious camps) and Lost in America (about helping homeless youth in the US). For that one, we interviewed Halle Berry, Rosario Dawson and Jewel, three amazing and inspirational women.
You have an impressive track record of involvement in projects that not only entertain but also make people think. How do you see an artist’s responsibility in addressing relevant themes in the media?
I think every artist is different and just because someone has a platform, that person doesn’t need to be a walking bumper sticker for social or political causes. I DO feel, however, that with any type of platform, people need to be aware of the things they broadcast to the world. They should check their facts before posting, and refrain from negative or hateful things if they can help it. That’s just my opinion.
And then for me personally, I choose to write and produce projects that will give audiences what they are expecting from the genre (i.e. if it’s a comedy, make them laugh, if it’s a horror film, scare them, etc.) but then I typically try to incorporate ideas about certain causes I care about. For example, in 2020 I produced a film called Slapface. On paper, the film is a “movie about a boy and his monster.” But by the end of the film, audiences will recognize in the film subtle messages about anti-bullying and dealing with trauma. The film currently has a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and I think that’s why, people like movies that give them what they want but also make them think.
Your work with organizations like The Thirst Project shows that your commitment to social causes goes beyond the screen. How does your advocacy for youth empowerment and LGBTQ+ rights influence your career?
I think my activism is more about who I am as a person than it is about who I am as an actor. I just so happen to be an actor because I love it and have managed to convince a handful of people that I’m good enough to get paid for it. But even if I weren’t in the entertainment industry at all, working for causes like what Thirst Project does by providing developing communities around the world with safe, clean drinking water, or pushing for LGBTQ+ equality in government and business… those would be causes I’d be involved with either way. Now, as a filmmaker, I get to incorporate those messages into my movies as my own unique form of activism.
You have worked in various genres and formats throughout your career. Is there a role or project that has challenged you in a special way?
Every project presents a new set of challenges and opportunities. That’s what keeps things exciting. One project that comes to mind is a film called The Way Out that I shot a few years ago. I had to gain 14 pounds of muscle and trained several months before shooting with a boxing coach because I was playing a fighter in the movie. It was also a violent film, and I had a shower scene where I was completely naked, so there was a certain level of vulnerability and emotion I had to access for the role. But again, I love that part of the job.
As both an actor and producer, you move between film and television. What does each medium offer you differently, and which one stimulates you the most creatively?
Early on in my career, I did a lot of TV in terms of guest stars and recurring roles on a handful of shows. Then, there was a period where television shows didn’t hire me for a bit, and I was doing a lot of independent movies. I loved those because I was given the opportunity to play a variety of different characters with actors and filmmakers from all over the world. But after a while, I got tired of bouncing from one project to the next. I would go to a new set, make friends with people, and then never see them again apart from the occasional text or Instagram post. I wanted something more regular, something that lasted longer than just a few months, a character I could play over a long period of time and explore over years. And people I could work with every day. Currently, Beyond the Gates is that opportunity for me, so I hope it’s a job that lasts a while.
Many artists use their voices for important causes, but not all get as actively involved as you do. Where does this drive to go beyond entertainment and truly make a difference come from?
I’d have to say that drive comes from my parents. As far back as I can remember, my mom would have us volunteering for church bake sales or neighborhood causes. We’d Christmas Carol at retirement communities for the elderly each year around the holidays and would shovel snow from sidewalks or driveways if our neighbors couldn’t do it themselves. My dad was also a very hard worker in business, planning the development and opening of large restaurant chains around the country. I think some of that “just get it done” attitude rubbed off on me.
Beyond the Gates has just premiered, and your career is on the rise. What are the next challenges and projects that excite you the most right now?
I just wrapped a film called Eyes in the Trees that we shot in the jungles of Thailand. The film includes Oscar-winner Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Ashley Greene. I’m involved in the film as an actor and co-wrote the script. It was loosely inspired by the book “The Island of Dr. Moreau” by H.G. Wells, and was directed by my friend Timothy Woodward Jr. The project itself was a challenge because of its sheer size, but I worked with an amazing team of producers and filmmakers, and everyone labored tirelessly to make it happen. Like many of my other films, this one includes a subtle message about a cause I care about. This one just so happens to be the environment, and I can’t wait for the world to see the final cut.
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