Maurice Johnson Talks Faith, Acting Choices, And Beyond the Gates Exit
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Months after exiting the role of Dr. Ted Richardson, Johnson is now speaking publicly about his departure, his approach to acting, and the personal convictions that guide his career choices.
Maurice Johnson Talks Faith, Acting Choices, And Beyond the Gates Exit
Johnson recently sat down for an in-depth interview on Vault Empowers, a YouTube interview series hosted by Brandi Harvey, the daughter of Steve Harvey. During the candid conversation, the actor addressed faith, masculinity, authenticity, and why he is selective about the roles he chooses.
A Surprising Exit for Viewers
When Johnson’s departure from Beyond the Gates occurred on-screen in May, many viewers were surprised. His portrayal of the charismatic plastic surgeon Ted Richardson had received largely positive feedback from the show’s online fanbase, making the recast unexpected.
Shortly thereafter, Keith D. Robinson assumed the role at a dramatic turning point in the story. Ted’s life unraveled after learning he had a daughter, Eva (Ambyr Michelle), from a long-ago affair with Leslie/Dana (Trisha Mann-Grant)—a revelation that exposed the affair publicly and destroyed Ted’s marriage to
Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix). With Robinson’s arrival, the character appeared to undergo a noticeable creative shift.
Crafting His Version of Ted Richardson
During the interview, Johnson reflected on how deliberately he approached building his version of Ted.
“How did he walk? What was his mannerisms? How did he dress? What kind of suits he wore, his watches—everything was planned. Everything is intentional,” Johnson explained. “I think we owe it to our society to show those things. We have an opportunity, we have a platform. We’ve got all of these eyes that are watching CBS right now. And it’s like, ‘OK, what story are we going to tell?’”
Johnson said viewers connected to his performance because it felt authentic.
“When you saw my version of Ted, you were seeing me,” he said. “I seemed authentic in what my wants and desires were.”
He also revealed a personal ritual he practiced before filming scenes.
“Every single time before I touched that soundstage, people would laugh at me. I’d say, ‘I love my wife, I love my kids.’ That was my momentum in that scene—to make sure I gave them that.”
Faith, Masculinity, and Career Boundaries
A pastor’s son, Johnson emphasized that faith is central to who he is, and that it heavily influences the projects he pursues. He shared his desire to work on faith-based films, while also expressing interest in action-adventure roles, noting that many of these characters share similar traits he enjoys portraying.
Representing strong masculinity through his work, Johnson said, is important to him.
“Manhood is okay. We’ve gotten into a society where everything is just being pushed down our throats. I’m a heterosexual male. Those are the only roles that I play. I’m not going to play any other roles. I’m not going to do it justice.”
He added that remaining true to oneself can mean turning down opportunities.
“It’s not going to be believable for me. That’s the thing—we have to stand our ground in the roles that we take as we make this ascent. There may be a lot of opportunities that have been missed out on, but you have to stay true to yourself.”
Clarifying His Stance on Roles
Johnson also addressed why he would not take on gay roles.
“I’m not gay. Get a gay guy to play this role,” he stated. “If a gay guy saw me play that role, they would be like, ‘Uh-uh, he’s not right.’ Ted is me. What you saw on TV is me.”
What’s Next
Despite his exit from Beyond the Gates, Johnson is moving forward. He revealed that he is preparing to begin production on a faith-based project that he is producing himself, with filming expected to start toward the end of the year.
Whether the project is faith-driven, action-oriented, or set in daytime television, Johnson says the core of his work remains the same—authenticity, intention, and staying true to who he is.
Watch the full interview below.
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