Beyond the Gates Co-Stars Tell All About a Brutal Scene: ‘I Could Not Stand My Own Character’

Our hearts are still bruised from the Beyond the Gates scene in which Leslie kicked out daughter Eva for having tried to thwart her revenge plot.

Ambyr Michelle was spectacularly raw and vulnerable; Trisha Mann-Grant, not just cold but venomous.

But there was even more at play than the brutal words that were scripted and the stunning way that the lines were delivered. We’ll let Michelle explain…

“Not only am I sharing this clip because it’s one of my favorite scenes,” she wrote on social media, “but because of what made it special.

Trisha wasn’t scripted to hand me the box [of Eva’s belongings], and it wasn’t written for me to walk out. But in the moment, we felt it. We trusted each other — and created something beyond the page.

“That’s the beauty of collaboration,” she continued, “and listening to that inner creative voice — in addition to impeccable writing.”

In response, Mann-Grant admitted, “This is one of those moments I could not stand my own character.” She then addressed Michelle directly.

“Babygirl, working with you is an absolute dream. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: You are an AhhMazing actress. You are solid in your work, especially at your age!

“Keep soaring,” she added, “because what God has [in store for you] is beyond your wildest dreams!”