B&B's Matthew Atkinson Reveals What Thomas is Really up To

Every parent wants what’s best for their children, but THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Thomas will stop at nothing to get it! Having determined that Hope would be the ideal surrogate mommy for his son, Douglas, he pulled the strings to bring about the collapse of her marriage and seems willing to continue playing God to keep his romance with the blonde on course!

His portrayer, Matthew Atkinson, thinks Thomas’ ambitions started off with the best of intentions following Caroline’s death. “He was trying to stop his son from agonizing every night about his mother,” he explained to Soaps In Depth. “His mind is 100 percent set on making a good life for his son and getting him over that tragedy, which means steering him toward Hope.”

“He is so cute!” said the actor of his on-screen son, Henry Joseph Samiri. “He likes to play, so we sometimes get sidetracked while we’re goofing off!” (Photo Credit: Howard Wise/jpistudios.com)

Having resorted to lies and forgery to convince Hope that her place is with Douglas (and ergo, his dad), Thomas sees all of his actions as justified. “Parents do whatever they can for their children, and I think that’s what’s led him to some dark places,” he said. “When you get a Forrester set on something, they don’t let go easily.”

Add to that the trauma Thomas felt growing up with a father who wasn’t always there, and Atkinson can begin to understand the rationale behind his character’s underhanded actions. “I think he still struggles with watching Ridge flip-flop between two women and what that ultimately did to his family when he was young,” shared the actor. “He wants to make sure his child and Steffy’s children each have two parents in the house, so the next generation can move forward in the best possible way.”

While Thomas’ behind-the-scenes manipulations have some viewers seeing red, still others are willing to put up with his antics if it means Steffy and Liam might finally reunite. “People seem to either hate or love what I’m doing,” said Atkinson, who isn’t fazed by the fan flak. “That doesn’t bother me at all. As long as I’m doing something intriguing — good or bad — then I’m having some fun and doing my job. Some fans might be upset about what Thomas is doing, but none of them has been mean-spirited.”

Whenever I have scenes with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), I bring up the [boink] berries,” Atkinson said, referencing their characters’ past storyline on a tropical isle. “I don’t think there’s anything crazier in Thomas’ history than that!” (Photo Credit: Howard Wise/jpistudios.com)

Say what you will about Thomas’ chicanery, but from an actor’s point of view, it’s always fun to take that plunge. “I relish it,” enthused Atkinson, who has also played his fair share of affable boy-next-door types. “In the past, I always booked roles that were the heart-of-gold sort of guy, so the fact that I get to explore a character that’s much darker and has an edge to him — I love that.”

As for whether or not Thomas is truly in love with Hope, the actor thinks it’s complicated. “Hope is someone he’s always loved, but that doesn’t mean he was always head over heels in love with her,” he said. “He’s had conversations with Ridge about this, where he says he doesn’t need some perfect romance. All he wants is a family, and he thinks these pieces fitting together can create happiness — regard- less of other people’s wants or desires.”

Thomas keeps up his nice-guy facade whenever he’s around Hope, but with each passing week, we’ve begun to see more of the wolf emerge from that sheep’s clothing. “He’s getting less apologetic and not hiding it so much anymore,” agreed Atkinson. “Now he’s starting to be more like, ‘It’s my way or the highway, and this is how it’s going to be, so come on, people! Let’s get on board with this!’” So far, at least, that mentality is paying off for him!

For more on your favorite B&B stars, keep reading the CBS edition of Soaps In Depth magazine.

This story originally appeared in our print magazine.