Beyond the Gates Performer of the Week: Ambyr Michelle as Eva Thomas 

Beyond the Gates has finally broached the subject of Ted's infidelity publicly. This week, we saw Ted and Nicole's anniversary party finally happen, and two characters were working for either the detriment or the success of said party. One character in particular captured the audience's attention as she navigated this tense situation: Ambyr Michelle’s Eva Thomas.

Ambyr Michelle on Beyond the Gates

Eva began as a hairdresser with a mom with a secret, but is now a beloved honorary member of the Dupree family...with a mom with a secret. Ambyr Michelle gives the audience the realness of a girl caught up in an unfamiliar world, just trying her best to fit in, while also secretly plotting against them. There are many faces to Eva, and Michelle demonstrates them with ease — she shows Eva's devotion to her mother while also revealing Eva's compassion for the Richardsons now that she's gotten to know them.

Michelle’s practicality in not overdoing Eva’s obvious dilemma is what leads the viewer to be torn between having sympathy for Eva and remembering that she has always had a part to play in this plot against the Richardsons. Aside from the viewer having the full scoop on everything and side-eyeing Eva from the very beginning, Michelle’s take on the role makes us realize that she has been a beloved character all along. Michelle is thoughtful and intentional in the way she conducts herself as Eva through a gray lens.

Cruel intentions and a change of heart

During the May 1st episode of Beyond the Gates, the viewer watches Eva go from elated for Ted (Maurice Johnson) and Nicole (Daphnée Duplaix) to guilt-ridden as Mona (Karan Kendrick) beams about what wonderful people Ted and Nicole are. Then she shifted to determined not to follow through on enacting Leslie's (Trisha Mann-Grant) plan. Michelle effortlessly takes her character through each of these emotions and enthralls the viewer, plunging us into the story with her, feeling as if we are Eva, navigating murky waters.

On today's episode, Michelle's Eva tearfully proclaimed to her father, Ted, "She's my mom," referring to Leslie, as Ted seethed about the messy reveal that had just taken place. It was gut-wrenching watching Michelle grab her stomach, as if clutching her soul, as she sobbed, conveying her character, Eva's, total devastation at the events and, subsequently, being left by both Ted and Leslie and now, alone.

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Michelle also walks the viewers through Eva's life growing up and how "the truth", or so she thought, had been drilled into her for years — that Ted didn't want her or anything to do with her. At the end of the episode, Eva is seen by Kat (Colby Muhammad), still at the event venue, all alone and tearful. The viewers can see the hurt in Michelle's eyes after the day Eva has had.

So, what's next for Ambyr Michelle's Eva? Find out by watching Beyond the Gates weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.

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