In the soap opera “Love, Glory and Beauty,” Liam’s life spirals after discovering his wife, Hope, kissing Thomas. Distraught and feeling betrayed, he instinctively seeks comfort in his ex, Steffy, now married to Finn. Actor Scott Clifton reveals Liam’s struggle with trust and his tendency to revert to old patterns. As he faces consequences for his actions, the narrative shifts from love to power dynamics, showcasing a darker, more vulnerable side of Liam’s character.
In “Love, Glory and Beauty,” airing Monday to Friday at 10:30 on TF1, Liam’s world has been shattered after witnessing his wife Hope (Annika Noelle) share a kiss with Thomas (Matthew Atkinson). Overwhelmed by emotion, he immediately reverts to old habits and seeks comfort in his ex Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), who is currently married to Finn (Tanner Novlan). This turmoil leaves Liam in a tumultuous state, and things are about to escalate even further. In an exclusive interview, Scott Clifton, who portrays Liam, shares insights into the character’s journey in this iconic American soap opera.
AlloCiné: In ‘Love, Glory and Beauty,’ Liam uncovers Hope’s affair with Thomas, and it appears she has developed feelings for him as well. How does he respond to this revelation?
Scott Clifton: When Thomas was seen with a mannequin resembling Hope, Liam genuinely believed he had caught them in a compromising situation. As a result, he instinctively ran to find Steffy! However, upon realizing it wasn’t Hope, he faced her wrath for doubting her fidelity. This incident lingered in his mind.
When he finally witnesses Thomas and Hope in a genuine kiss, Liam is consumed by chaos. He can’t help but question whether this is the first instance of their betrayal, how long it has been happening, and whether they have been mocking him behind his back. His mind spirals, leaving him unable to trust Hope again, especially because she had always assured him that she would never betray him. The realization that he has been deceived is horrifying for him.
Initially, Liam’s instinct was to turn to Steffy. Why didn’t he attempt to mend his marriage instead?
Both Liam and Hope have betrayed each other in the past, but this time it feels irreparable for him. Trust has been shattered, and he feels manipulated, especially after she dismissed his earlier concerns about the mannequin. Having witnessed deceit on this scale, everything changes. In my own life experiences, I’ve seen how trust, once broken, creates a rift that is tough to bridge.
Steffy is currently in a happy relationship with Finn. Is Liam’s reaction not a bit selfish?
Absolutely, and I found that perplexing. Upon reading the script, I thought, “Oh wow, he’s running back to Steffy?! That’s not ideal.” We spent considerable time developing Liam’s character as someone striving to be better for Hope, and then suddenly, he reverts to being a victim of his circumstances. The audience empathizes with him, yet he begins repeating past mistakes.
I see his behavior as a kind of pathology; he feels he cannot survive without a romantic partner. When betrayed, he becomes frantic, like a cornered animal, scrambling to find anyone who will reciprocate his love. It’s a fascinating complexity to portray, but it indicates a deeper struggle within him. Even though Steffy is committed to someone else, Liam still thinks there’s a chance she might want him back.
After a love triangle involving Hope, Liam, and Steffy, is a love pentagon involving Finn and Thomas emerging?
(laughs) Viewers are in for a surprise as Liam’s role shifts. It’s not about being the center of attention between two women anymore. We will explore a darker aspect of his character, delving more into themes of power rather than love.
In ‘Love, Glory and Beauty,’ for the first time, neither Steffy nor Hope seems eager to couple up with him. How will he navigate this new reality?
Liam tends to act impulsively without considering the repercussions. I’ve consistently voiced to Brad Bell that I want to see him face significant losses. He often bounces back too easily from setbacks. Now, he will be told, “It’s over—your chances are gone.” I wanted him to hit rock bottom due to his choices, and I got my wish. What happens when he is left alone? What type of man is he when stripped of his relationships? Embodying this transformation has been thrilling, portraying his hardships and the loss of love as motivation.
Do you believe that meeting someone new would be beneficial for him?
Yes, but he first needs to comprehend that solitude is crucial for his growth. Ideally, I would love for him to find someone new later on once he has untangled his issues and become the man a woman genuinely deserves.