Evangeline Williamson
Evangeline Williamson is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live.
| Evangeline Williamson | |||||||||
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| One Life to Live character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Renée Elise Goldsberry | ||||||||
| Duration | 2003–2007 | ||||||||
| First appearance | February 25, 2003 | ||||||||
| Last appearance | May 18, 2007 | ||||||||
| Created by | Josh Griffith | ||||||||
| Introduced by | Frank Valentini | ||||||||
| Classification | Former, regular | ||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||
| Occupation | Lawyer | ||||||||
| Residence | Silver Spring, Maryland | ||||||||
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Casting
The role was originated on February 25, 2003 by Renée Elise Goldsberry, who appeared on-screen continually until May 18, 2007.
Storyline
Attorney Evangeline Williamson arrives in Llanview in 2003 as the attorney for Mitch Laurence and later for Keri Reynolds. She soon begins dating R.J. Gannon. They have a series of spats over Evangeline's focus on her work and her closeness with Police Lieutenant John McBain. She and R.J. eventually split after Evangeline and John succumb to passion and make love. Evangeline enters into a romantic relationship with John in which they proclaim there are "no strings attached." However, Evangeline eventually realizes that she wants more of a commitment. She tells John that she loves him, but a conflicted John is unable to reciprocate due to his unresolved feelings for Natalie Buchanan. Evangeline breaks things off.
Evangeline's younger sister Layla comes to town in 2005. Later, Evangeline helps free Cristian Vega from an unjust conviction to Death Row. Their close friendship turns to romance. During a tornado, Evangeline is blinded, and Cristian helps her through months of rehabilitation, during which time their love blossoms.
As his attorney and unlikely friend, Evangeline stands by Todd Manning when he is framed for murder by Spencer Truman. Todd takes a proactive role in saving Evangeline's eyesight, believing her to be the only true friend he has left in Llanview after his own brush with death. Todd interferes in Cristian and Evangeline's relationship and, over time, insinuates that he has his own romantic intentions. Cristian, meanwhile, is put off by Todd and Evangeline's closeness, and by Todd's disrespect for his own relationship with Evangeline. During his search for his son, Todd is led to believe his child had died, and in an emotional moment, kisses Evangeline. Evangeline admits to Cristian that she has kissed Todd, and Cristian breaks it off.
Months later, Cristian and Evangeline repair their friendship, while Evangeline remains close to Todd. Evangeline and Cristian are separately targeted by the white supremacist group One Pure People, and both are gassed at Cristian's loft. Evangeline lapses into a coma, ultimately transferred out of town to a critical care facility.
On December 17, 2007, Evangeline's mother Lisa Williamson moves her back to the family home in Maryland. Cristian, still struggling with his unresolved feelings for Evangeline, visits her, hoping to find closure. After making his peace with Evangeline, Cristian asks her for a sign that he should move on with his life. Cristian gets his answer when the comatose Evangeline's hand slips from his grasp. Later, Cristian and Layla visit to announce their engagement and learn that Evangeline is back in the hospital. Eventually, Evangeline dies after being taken off life support.
Impact
Goldsberry was nominated for two consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for the role in 2006 and 2007. She was also nominated for two NAACP Image Awards for Best Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2004 and 2007.