OG Beyond the Gates Cast Member Reflects On the ‘Tears That Were Flowing’ as He Was Killed Off
Those watching the May 20 episode of Beyond the Gates surely felt the ripple effect when word of Derek’s tragic death began to make its rounds, especially to ex-girlfriend Ashley, who was the last one to talk to him. He had urged her not to be afraid before being wheeled into surgery but in the end, she had every right to be because he didn’t make it and died after being shot. It all unraveled after Derek had followed Grayson to the warehouse and tried to stop a gunman… that’s when shots rang out and it looked as though Jacob had been the one hit. And now, with his character off the canvas, Ben Gavin is speaking out on his shocking exit…
In an interview with TV Insider, Gavin, who has been with the CBS soap since its premiere in February 2025, revealed how stunned he’d been to have gotten the news in December of the same year that the powers that be planned to kill Derek off. So, why Derek? In an attempt to hook the audience, they needed it to be someone who viewers started to really care about. At least he died a hero — and that’s exactly what executive producer Julie Hanan Carruthers was going for.
As for those final episodes… It was very memorable and emotional to say the least, as it wasn’t a typical day on set. Gavin explained how they’d done multiple takes in order to give the scene their all, which proved how much they cared about it. And after they wrapped, he talked about “the tears that were flowing” during the big send-off they had for him. “Being a part of this show is a badge of honor that I’ll wear for the rest of my life,” he expressed. “I’m truly blessed.”
Castings director LaQuanda Plantt posted a video from those final scenes, where Gavin was brought to tears, and shared, “OG! We miss you man! I watched this episode with tears in my eyes like I wasn’t there when we shot it. You can hear in the video the real tears and real emotion as we said goodbye to Derek Baldwin.”
As for Gavin, filled with emotion, he shared, “This is a historical event and I am over-the-moon grateful to be a part of it.”
Don’t worry, fans… the actor reminded that soaps are notorious for resurrections and evil twins, as one longtime director pointed out to him on his last day, and Gavin would be all for a return.
