If you’ve spent any time at all watching daytime television over the last decade, you know Karla Mosley. You’ve likely seen her navigate the high-stakes world of fashion or deal with the messy, heart-wrenching drama that only a soap opera can provide. But honestly? Limiting her to just "soap star" is a huge mistake.
She’s a powerhouse.
From her early days making kids dance on Discovery Kids to her groundbreaking, history-making run on The Bold and the Beautiful, Mosley has built a filmography that is as diverse as it is intentional. She’s an NYU Tisch grad who actually uses that BFA. Whether she's playing a former supermodel in 2026's newest hit or a pre-med student in a legacy soap, she brings a groundedness that’s rare in the genre.
The Hi-5 Days: Where it All Started
Most people don't realize that before the drama and the dioramas, Karla was basically a rock star for toddlers.
In 2003, she joined the American cast of Hi-5. She was the youngest member of the group. Her segment was called "Body Move," which is exactly what it sounds like—lots of stretching, jumping, and high-energy dancing. It’s a trip to see her there, full of sunshine and pigtails, knowing she’d eventually become one of the most significant figures in daytime TV history.
She stayed until 2006. It gave her a foundation in live performance and stamina that clearly paid off later.
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Making History: The Maya Avant Era
You cannot talk about Karla Mosley movies and tv shows without spending a significant amount of time on Maya Avant. This wasn't just another role. In 2013, she joined The Bold and the Beautiful as an ex-con trying to get her life together.
Then came 2015.
The show revealed that Maya was transgender. It was a massive moment. At the time, Maya became the first series-regular transgender character in the history of American daytime television. Mosley, a cisgender woman, handled the storyline with incredible grace and research. She earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for it.
Why the Maya story mattered:
- The Marriage: She was the first transgender bride to get married on daytime TV (to Rick Forrester).
- The Family: It introduced the Avants, the first central African American family in the show's long history.
- The Exit: Interestingly, in 2019, Mosley actually stepped back from the role. She felt it was more appropriate for a transgender actor to take the reins of that narrative if the character were to continue. That kind of integrity is rare in Hollywood.
The 2025/2026 Shift: Beyond the Gates
Fast forward to right now. If you’re looking for her latest work, you’ll find her anchoring Beyond the Gates. This show is kind of a big deal—it’s the first new daytime soap in over twenty years and specifically centers on an affluent Black family.
Mosley plays Dani Dupree.
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Dani is a former supermodel and the youngest daughter of the Dupree family. It’s a juicy role. It feels like a full-circle moment for her, moving from the younger "new girl" roles into a sophisticated, leading-lady position. The show premiered in February 2025 and has already been a massive talking point for its fresh take on the genre.
Small Screen, Big Impact: The Other Credits
It's not all soaps, though. Mosley has popped up in some pretty unexpected places over the years.
Have you seen the Coen Brothers’ Burn After Reading? She’s in it. It’s a small role, but being in a Coen Brothers film is a literal badge of honor for any actor. She also had a stint on Hart of Dixie as Elodie Baxter, a member of the "Belles." It was a complete departure from the heavy drama of her daytime work—much more lighthearted and southern-belle-adjacent.
Notable Guest Spots:
- Gossip Girl: A quick appearance back in 2008.
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Every New York actor has to do at least one Law & Order, right?
- The Young and the Restless: In 2021, she briefly stepped in as Amanda Sinclair. It was a temporary recast while the regular actress was on medical leave, but fans loved seeing her back on the screen.
- Angel From Hell: A recurring spot on the Jane Lynch sitcom.
The Creative Multihyphenate
She doesn’t just wait for the phone to ring. Karla is a writer and producer too. She co-created and co-wrote Room8, a web series that actually tied into the Bold and the Beautiful storyline.
She also co-founded 1:1 Productions. Their mission? Championing women of color in the industry. They produced a web series called (Un)Claimed that hit the festival circuit in 2022. It’s clear she’s focused on shifting the power dynamics in Hollywood, not just standing in front of the camera.
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Fact-Checking the "Movie" Career
I'll be honest with you: Karla Mosley is primarily a television actress. If you’re searching for a massive list of blockbuster films where she’s the lead, you won't find them. Her film work is mostly independent or supporting.
Aside from Burn After Reading, she starred in the indie film Red Hook (2008) and some Hallmark-style features like How to Train Your Husband (2020). Her strength has always been the long-form storytelling of television and the intimacy of the stage.
Why She Still Matters in 2026
In May 2025, Karla came out as queer. She’s been very vocal about how her personal identity informs her work and her activism. She’s not just an actress; she’s an advocate. She serves on the board of Covenant House and works with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).
When you watch her on Beyond the Gates, you aren't just seeing a "soap actress." You’re seeing a woman who has navigated the industry for over two decades, survived the transition from children's TV to daytime royalty, and is now helping build a new legacy for Black creators.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Evolution: If you’ve only seen her on The Bold and the Beautiful, go find old clips of Hi-5 on YouTube. The range is hilarious and impressive.
- Support the New Wave: Beyond the Gates is a huge moment for representation. If you want more diverse stories, watching her as Dani Dupree is the best way to vote with your remote.
- Check out the Writing: She published a book of micro-poems called Short Poems for a Long and Happy Life. It’s a great way to see the "writer" side of her brain.
- Follow the Indie Work: Keep an eye on 1:1 Productions. That’s where her most personal and experimental work usually lands.
Karla Mosley has managed to do something very few actors do: stay relevant, stay employed, and stay authentic. Whether she’s singing, dancing, or crying over a lost love in a soap, she’s always worth the watch.