Many Beyond the Gates fans see Eva Thomas as one of the show’s biggest villains. But Ambyr Michelle, who plays Eva, believes there is much more to the character than people think.
In a new interview, the actress explained why she feels Eva’s actions come from love, loyalty, and a complicated past rather than simply being a bad person. Scroll down for more information.
Ambyr Michelle’s View Of Eva Changed Over Time
Ambyr Michelle recently appeared on The Gatekeepers Podcast, where she spoke about joining Beyond the Gates, working on a daytime soap, and what she hopes is next for Eva Thomas.
During the interview, Michelle admitted that her first impression of Eva was very different. She said, “When I first got the scripts, I’m like, she’s a villain.”
However, that opinion changed as she got to know the character better. Michelle explained, “When I started to get to know her and see how complex she is and layered she is and unique she is, I’m like, no, this girl is passionate. She’s not a villain. She has a heart.”
Beyond The Gates: Why Eva Makes The Choices She Does
Michelle believes Eva’s decisions come from deep loyalty, even if other people do not understand them. She said Eva loves people with all her heart, but sometimes that love leads her to make choices that others see as wrong. The actress shared that Eva loves hard, “and it comes off wrong to other people, but she makes decisions based on her loyalty, based on what she thinks is best in the interest of everyone.”
She also talked about Eva’s relationship with her mother, Leslie “Dana” Thomas, played by Trisha Mann Grant. Eva often stands by her mother, even when fans think she should not. Michelle explained why she understands that bond.
“People have to understand that this woman was the only woman in her life growing up. This woman is the only one who cared for her, whether it looked toxic or not, and she has been around this woman from day one, and so it’s they’re at the hip, and so that may look weird to other people, but it’s actually extremely normal.”
Michelle described Eva as someone who cannot be put into one simple category. She said, “Eva is layered. She’s complex. She’s unique. She’s bold. She’s passionate.” Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Beyond the Gates spoilers and behind-the-scenes updates.