Copyright Parade
Key Points Paul Telfer wins his first Daytime Emmy for playing Xander on 'Days of Our Lives.' Telfer embraces Xander’s evolution from outsider to central, complex character. He praises his talented co-stars and values connections formed through various storylines. Paul Telfer just took home his first Daytime Emmy Award for playing Xander Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives. The actor celebrated 10 years on the Peacock soap in March. No doubt Xander has not had a lot of not-so-good things happen during his time in Salem. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Recently, though, there’s been a bit of a change in Xander, and Telfer has made a few claims about the new side of his alter ego. Paul Telfer Addresses Shift In Xander on Days of Our Lives Speaking with Woman’s World at the Daytime Emmys, Telfer weighed in on Xander going from villain to unlucky in love to family man who can’t shake his anger. In all honesty, the actor is here for all the changes in Xander because it opens up the character to having more connections on the show. “I’d always wanted that because Xander’s always been a bit off to the side of things,” he shared. Xander has been the black sheep of the Kiriakis family from the second he arrived in Salem. This left him on the outs with pretty much everyone in town. Watching him become a more integral part of the show with real connections is something Telfer is here for. “To have him slowly but surely work his way inside the center of the show… and magically, he’s actually Victor’s son… and then, ‘Oh, give him a wife and a daughter!’ ‘Oh, his brother and him… maybe they can get along,’ and to have it be more than just Xander coming in and causing trouble and leaving… It’s the last thing I expect to happen in my career. So… I don’t hate it!” Telfer spilled to the outlet. The actor also weighed in on Xander’s love life, which gives him the chance to work with some outstanding ladies on the Peacock soap. Related: ‘Days of our Lives’ Arianne Zucker Breaks Silence After Lawsuit Settlement Days of Our Lives Star Paul Telfer Gushes Over His Leading Ladies Over the past few years, Xander has had his fair share of romances, including his relationship with Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). Sarah and Xander, whom fans call Xarah, have been through the wringer. Right now, they are once again over thanks to Xander lying to her. Sarah isn’t the only woman who has been part of Xander’s life. Gwen (Emily O’Brien) helped him get over Sarah during one of their breaks, while Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin) was in his orbit at one point. Even Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) and Xander played together for a while. Telfer can’t get enough of his leading ladies, telling Women’s World, “Obviously, I’m spoiled because they bounced me between Linsey Godfrey, Emily O’Brien, Nadia Bjorlin, and even Stacy Haiduk.” Another female that Telfer gets to work with a lot is soap icon Suzanne Rogers (Maggie). “I know that’s not romantic, but she’s an incredible scene partner. I’ve just been lucky, with all of them,” he expressed about working with the Days of Our Lives legend. The actor considers himself blessed to have worked with so many talented stars on the hit Peacock soap and has had the best time over the last decade. Xander’s changes have only just begun, especially as he and Sarah embark on a breakup that just might be the end of Xarah, so Telfer has some more juicy work coming his way. Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on Peacock.
