Leslie's villain persona gives Beyond the Gates fans the chills

On Beyond the Gates, we have been introduced to the character Leslie, played by Trisha Mann-Grant, and many are drawing similarities with another renowned soap villain.

Leslie intrigues Beyond the Gates fans

Beyond the Gates, in a very short time, has given us what every soap opera needs: a real villain. Not just a nasty character that can be awful to others, not just a character that annoys you onscreen, but a villain that can give you goosebumps and a shudder at the thought of what they could do next or even ask yourself, “Is there no limit to what they are capable of?”

Leslie is that kind of villain. In the show's first week, we saw her on her motorbike run friendly young Laura (Destiny Love) off the road and crash her car, leaving her injured and unable to work for some time.

Leslie, we now know it is after one man, and not in a Valentine's Day, I want to love you and hold you kind of way. Ted Richardson (Maurice Johnson), the much-vaunted plastic surgeon and husband to Nicole Dupree Richardson, had an extramarital affair with Leslie many years ago and his past is very much coming back to bite him. Beyond the Gates fans are saying that Leslie gives off some serious Sheila Carter vibes.

Sheila Carter is a well-known soap character played by Kimberlin Brown. She has been a major protagonist and villain across two soaps, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. She’s a one-woman crime wave with the ingenuity of Macgyver (who could make a phone out of a lizard and a bit of string) and the intensity of Hannibal Lecter. Now, that should paint a picture! Leslie is just like this. She’s cold and calculating with a singular focus: revenge. Maybe she’s like a female John Wick.

Fans have made the same connection. The Sheila Carter connection that is, not John Wick. They have also taken to the Soap Central message boards to reveal their thoughts on Leslie.

Does Ted know the truth?

Soap Central user User Cashier Judy said, “So, do you think that Ted knows that Leslie had his child or not?”

Mrs Valentine had some thoughts on the matter. “I think it’s very possible that Leslie is delusional and has convinced herself and Eva that she had a romantic relationship with Ted. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just in her crazy head. I’m so curious, and can’t wait to see next week’s episode where Ted confronts Leslie.

"I love that the writers have made it vague enough to doubt Leslie’s story or for fans to speculate other possible scenarios lol!" they continued. "Here’s an OUT there theory, what if they did have a ONS and Leslie tried to tie Ted down with a baby but couldn’t prove she was actually pregnant? I could see her stealing a baby, brainwashing her, and trying to pass Eva off as Ted’s daughter. Leslie is diabolical so DNA tests? No problem for that nut 😀. Of course, I’m just having some fun.”

Cashier Judy added to the discussion. “OMG that is very possible!! She is totally crazy. She scares me. Soap villains are usually kind of funny to me but that woman gives me chills. She plays BAD very well. There's nothing campy or overdone with her. She is for real scary.”

DaffyMaiden commented, “Leslie is the Sheila Carter of this show so anything’s possible. I immediately thought of Sheila and her daughter Mary/Erica/whatever her name was.”

Leslie is the real deal on Beyond the Gates and we look forward to seeing what the show's writers do for her character. What movie villainess do you think is most like Leslie? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch full episodes of Beyond the Gates weekdays on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.