Ben Gavin just wrapped up his first run in the soap world after his character, Derek Baldwin, was killed off on Beyond the Gates earlier this month. Since his exit, Gavin has been opening up about his journey into daytime television and sharing a few stories fans may not know.
In a recent interview with The Soap Scene, the actor revealed that long before joining the CBS soap, he actually auditioned for a major role on The Young and the Restless.
That role? Adam Newman.
Of course, the part ultimately went to Mark Grossman, who debuted as Victor Newman’s son back in 2019 and has remained in the role ever since.
Ben Gavin and Mark Grossman Go Way Back
While speaking with the outlet, Gavin shared that he and Grossman already knew each other before auditioning for the same role.
“We used to do catering together,” Gavin recalled. “We were living in L.A. and trying to pay rent.”
The two actors were both chasing opportunities while working side jobs. According to Gavin, they both ended up auditioning for Adam Newman on the very same day.
“One day, we both auditioned for Adam Newman. I was there before him, and then in walks Mark,” he explained.
That’s when Gavin instantly had a feeling about how things were going to play out.
“I looked at him, and I was just like, ‘You’re gonna get this, dude.’”
Turns out, his instincts were spot on.
From Adam Newman Audition to Beyond the Gates History
Even though he didn’t land the role on The Young and the Restless, Gavin still found his place in daytime television years later with Beyond the Gates.
The CBS soap premiered on February 24, 2025, and made history as the first daytime soap opera since 1989 to feature a predominantly Black cast.
The series centers on the powerful Dupree family and life inside the wealthy gated community of Fairmont Crest, located just outside Washington, D.C.
Gavin became part of that history through his role as Derek Baldwin, even if his time on the show ended sooner than some fans hoped. Watch this week as FC gathers for his memorial.
So, what do you think about Ben Gavin’s exit from Fairmont Crest? Would you like to see him return to soaps? And if so, which show do you think would be the perfect fit for him next?
Photo Credit: Quantrell Colbert/CBS Broadcasting Inc.
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