Marissa Chanel Hampton steps into 2026 with a role rooted in honesty, loyalty, and emotional intelligence. In the drama-romance series It’s Not Like That, which premiered January 25, Hampton stars as Gail, the steady best friend whose presence anchors the show’s central relationships. Appearing opposite Scott Foley and Erin Hayes, her character may not always be at the center of the drama, but she is essential to its emotional balance.
Gail is the kind of friend who shows up without spectacle. She is consistent, loving, and unafraid to speak truth when it matters most. Hampton was intentional in how she approached a character who supports the story from within its emotional core. “In a family drama like It’s Not Like That, the characters outside the family unit are so interesting,” she explains. “Those are the chosen insiders.” When viewers meet Lori, portrayed by Erin Hayes, she is grieving the loss of her longtime best friend while navigating the unraveling of her marriage. Hampton saw Gail as the one constant in Lori’s life. “I wanted Gail to be that steadfast presence, unafraid to treat Lori any different than she always has even in the face of great loss. Her rock.”
That steadiness is subtle but vital. Gail exists within what Hampton describes as the broader emotional ecosystem of the series. “She’s a constant for Lori. The one thing outside of her family unit that hasn’t changed,” she says. “It’s not loud, it’s not flashy, but she’s an ever-present, honest, loving presence in her life.” It is that quiet reliability that gives the show much of its emotional grounding.
Working closely with Erin Hayes helped deepen Hampton’s connection to the role. “Erin is so special. She walks that line of comedy and drama so very well,” Hampton says. “She’s portraying a woman grieving the loss of both her best friend and her marriage while raising two teens and dating. Working opposite her is a joy. She teaches a master class on strength through vulnerability.” That on-screen chemistry makes the long-standing friendship between Gail and Lori feel lived-in and real.
Off screen, Hampton’s artistry is shaped by a life lived between Atlanta and Los Angeles. Each city feeds a different part of her creative identity. “LA taught me about hustle and embracing what makes me different,” she shares. “Atlanta, as a Black actress, has bolstered that sense of self. My voice has been more seen, heard, and welcomed creatively.” Together, the two cities influence her storytelling, style, and confidence.
Rest and stillness are not afterthoughts for Hampton. They are central to her creative process. Journaling, reflection, and quiet rituals help her stay grounded in an industry often driven by external validation. “You can’t control reviews or the next booking,” she says. “My creative process and self-confidence would be a hot mess if I didn’t constantly do the work of reflecting and sitting in silence to center myself.” That internal grounding has allowed her to reach a place where her own approval matters most.
A frequent traveler, Hampton finds inspiration on the move. Noise-canceling headphones and a Kindle loaded with books are non-negotiables. Travel, she says, softens her naturally Type A personality and reminds her to slow down, listen, and stay open. “Some of my best conversations happen on the go. That openness is helpful when seeking inspiration for new projects.”
In addition to her on-camera work, Hampton is a prolific audiobook narrator with more than 20 titles for publishers including Hachette, HarperCollins, Audible, and Brilliance Audio. She is especially beloved within the romance genre, with standout performances in The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon, The Close-Up by Kennedy Ryan, and Deja Brew. Her latest release is A Forever Kind of Love by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Farrah Rochon. Narration offers a different kind of fulfillment. “It’s intimate,” Hampton explains. “I’m painting the world of the story with my voice. As an onscreen actor, I’m seeking connection with my fellow actors. Narration gives me autonomy and a deep connection with the listener.”
That love of storytelling extends into her advocacy work. Through her platform Ink and Paper Soul, Hampton champions books, culture, and community, while supporting organizations like the ACLU, The Innocence Project, and Doctors Without Borders. She believes deeply in storytelling as a driver of empathy and social change. “I saw the world between the pages of a book years before I ever traveled internationally,” she says. “Literacy and education are equalizers. Storytelling has the power to move people emotionally and to act. That power comes with responsibility.”
From her professional debut on Scandal to roles in Creepshow and a growing slate of independent projects, Marissa Chanel Hampton continues to build a career defined by intention, depth, and purpose. With It’s Not Like That, she reminds viewers that sometimes the most powerful characters are the ones who stay steady, speak truth, and hold space when it matters most.
Photo Credit: Photographer: Storm Santos
Stylist: Anna Shilling
Hair: Tiffany Daugherty
Makeup: Josephine Bouchereau
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