 Early in the show , the actress based her understanding of Eve on the character 's relationships with Grace and Ivy Winthrop ( Kim Johnston Ulrich ) . Ross described Eve 's love for Grace as " my rock in the sea " when the " difficult to play " Eve took extreme , illegal measures to hide her past . Following Ulrich 's interpretation of Ivy as valuing Eve as a confidant , Ross characterized Eve as respecting Ivy 's " ability to take charge " instead of " always tiptoeing around and walking on eggshells " . She viewed Ivy 's schemes to blackmail Eve as an attempt at a deeper connection ; as " the closest thing to a friend that Ivy had " , Eve interpreted their relationship as a desire for friendship . 
