‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Claims Her Persona Is 'Also A Victim' Despite a Season of ‘Craziness’

One of Beyond the Gates biggest breakout characters is Leslie ‘Dana’ Thomas. Now Trisha Mann-Grant is explaining why she views the controversial character differently than many viewers do.

Mann-Grant recently spoke with Soaps.com reporter Charlie Mason about her first season on the soap opera and the ‘craziness’ that Leslie has brought to Fairmont Crest.

During the interview, the topic turned to how Leslie hid her daughter Eva Thomas’ (Ambyr Michelle) paternity from her father for her entire life. Despite Leslie’s actions, Mann-Grant said viewers should remember that “Leslie is also a victim.”

Mann-Grant also said she does not fully view Leslie as a narcissist, noting that narcissist often refuse accountability and believe everyone else is to blame.

Instead, Mann-Grant believes Lesslie avoids confronting painful truths about herself. “If you were to pull back all those layers and get to her true heart, maybe she does know [why she acts out], but she does not want to admit it,” she said.

She added the Leslie “does not want to come to terms with the truth, because then the truth will slap her upside her big head and make her realize she’s been wrong about so many things that she’s done.”

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Since the soap’s debut, Leslie has been at the center of major drama. She hid Eva’s paternity from Ted Richardson (originally Maurice Johnson and now Keith D. Robinson), targeted Laura Peterson (Destiny Love) and attempted to kill her, more than once, manipulated her daughters path into the Richardson family, and worked to destroy Ted’s marriage.  

Mann-Grants professional credits began in 2000 with an apperance on the feature film Retiring Tatiana. From there her first television apperance occured in 2003 on ‘The Parkers.’ In addition to Beyond the Gates, Mann-Grant also has a role on Carl Weber’s The Family Business where she portrays the role of Dominique Leroux.

Viewers can check out the series from the beginning on Paramount Plus or on Pluto TV’s dedicated 24/7 Beyond the Gates FAST channel.

New episodes of Beyond the Gates air weekdays on CBS with episodes streaming weeknights on Paramount Plus.