Hayley Lawson Hamilton is not just another soap character on Beyond the Gates. She is bold, messy, and impossible to ignore, and that is exactly why viewers cannot look away. Now, Marquita Goings is opening up about what it really feels like to play one of daytime TV’s most delicious villains, and how she steps into a role that is nothing like her real self.
Marquita Goings Embraces The Chaos Of Playing Hayley
From the start, Hayley has been written to stir trouble. Her relationship with her former best friend’s father shakes the core family, and by the end of the first season, her intentions seem far more calculated than romantic. She is now married into the very family she disrupted, and her choices hint strongly at ambition and money playing a bigger role than love.
For Marquita Goings, stepping into that mindset takes effort because she is nothing like Hayley in real life. She describes herself as calm and grounded, while Hayley is sharp, bold, and sometimes ruthless.
When she first read the script, she immediately thought, “Oh, she’s a savage,” but she also wanted to play the role with some understanding. She believes that even people who make questionable choices are shaped by real life struggles and circumstances.
Playing such a strong villain becomes even more intense because of the way the show is filmed. Beyond the Gates, which has already been renewed for a second season, follows the traditional soap format but at a demanding pace. The cast often shoots 40 to 50 pages a day, which is far more than most TV shows. Goings shared that some days feel like shooting half a movie, with constant dialogue, quick changes, and no time to slow down.
The Pressure And Freedom Of Becoming A Soap Villain
That fast pace has pushed Goings to become sharper as an actor. She explained that there is no luxury of multiple takes, so actors must take direction quickly and deliver strong performances almost instantly. This pressure has helped her build confidence and trust her instincts on set.
Interestingly, she did not know in the beginning how far Hayley’s villain journey would go. What first drew her to the project was casting director Kim Coleman. Goings said she has a lot of respect for her and had worked with her before. So, she knew she had to take the audition seriously.
As the story developed, Hayley turned into a much more layered and unpredictable character. Her actions, especially her marriage and manipulative decisions, keep viewers hooked. That unpredictability is what makes her such a compelling villain.
Goings admits that this is exactly why she enjoys the role so much. She said she likes playing someone completely different from herself because it feels like true acting. In her words, Hayley gets to do whatever she wants, and stepping into that freedom makes the role exciting. At the same time, she is aware that some viewers take the character personally and do not always separate her from Hayley.
Even while playing one of daytime TV’s most talked-about villains, Goings stays connected to who she really is. Alongside, she balances her career, family life, and personal growth with ease. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Beyond the Gates spoilers.