Beyond the Gates Star Timeca Seretti Gets Real About Anastasia, Soap Drama and Almost Skipping School for Erica Kane

If there is one thing Beyond the Gates viewers can agree on, it is that Anastasia Belle Claire knows how to make an entrance. Whether she is throwing shade at the Dupree family or clutching her pearls like someone personally offended her at brunch, the character has quickly become one of the soap’s most entertaining wild cards. And according to Timeca Seretti herself, that sharp edge comes from somewhere very real.

During an exclusive interview on The TV Cave’s Soap Wire Podcast, Seretti opened up about her love of daytime television, the inspiration behind Anastasia, and why soap fans who “love to hate” her character are exactly the audience she hoped to win over.

The conversation immediately turned into a full-blown soap fan summit once Seretti revealed she grew up obsessed with classic ABC soaps like All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital. Her soap icon of choice? None other than Susan Lucci’s legendary Erica Kane.

Seretti admitted she was so invested in daytime drama that she occasionally skipped school just to keep up with major storylines. Honestly, that level of commitment deserves an Emmy category of its own.

Now playing the deliciously messy Anastasia Belle Claire on Beyond the Gates, Seretti explained that she approaches the role by grounding the character in real emotional pain. She revealed that growing up in Gary, Indiana came with experiences of bullying and feeling out of place, something she channels into Anastasia’s constant need for control and superiority.

That emotional honesty may explain why the character works so well. Anastasia could have easily become a cartoonishly rich busybody tossing insults from behind designer sunglasses. Instead, Seretti gives her enough vulnerability to keep viewers invested even while she is verbally sparring with Anita Dupree and basically everyone else within a five-mile radius.

One of the more interesting moments from the interview came when Seretti shared her personal interpretation of Anastasia’s long-running tension with the Dupree family. While many fans assume the character secretly wanted Vernon for herself, Seretti offered a different perspective. In her view, Anastasia believes Vernon “married beneath himself” and sees the Duprees as outsiders to the elite world she believes he should have stayed within. It is classism wrapped in couture and delivered with a side-eye sharp enough to cut glass.

Seretti also discussed the warm dynamic between Anastasia and her granddaughter Francesca “Chessie” Belle Claire, played by Madison Osblook. Their scenes have become fan favorites, and Seretti credited the chemistry to the real-life camaraderie built on set. She even teased wanting more backstory involving Anastasia’s children and four ex-husbands. Somewhere, Erica Kane is nodding approvingly.

Outside of acting, Seretti is also a singer, writer, producer and comedian. Music remains especially close to her heart, with the actress revealing she is currently working on an album while performing with her Austin-based band Blue Vibe featuring Timeca Seretti. Her passion for performance spilled into every part of the conversation, especially when discussing legends like Michael Jackson and Beyoncé.

As for what Beyond the Gates fans can expect next from Anastasia? Seretti summed it up in three words: “Some mo drama.”

Honestly, would anyone expect this woman to arrive quietly? Absolutely not. And thank goodness for that.

Check out our full interview below: