‘DOOL’ Paul Telfer Addresses Concerns Over Xander’s Direction
The new DOOL head writers promised a return to family storylines. But some fans of the Peacock soap are worried about where Xander Kiriakis is headed after a shocking change in character. Keep reading to find out what Xander’s portrayer, Paul Telfer, has to say about it.
DOOL Writers Vow To Keep It In The Family
Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford took over from Ron Carlivati as the head writers of Days of Our Lives last July. However, the show films so far in advance that their work just started airing on screen last month. Before their big debut, they spoke to several media outlets about what to expect on the daytime soap.
The most important thing to the new head writers was a return to family. They wanted to move away from supernatural storylines and get back to the core of what originally drew viewers to the show.
The legendary families of Salem include the Bradys, Hortons, DiMeras and the Kiriakis family. One of the first things the new writers did was plot the return of Bo and Hope Brady. They also had the heart-wrenching task of writing a proper goodbye storyline to John Black after actor Drake Hogestyn passed away in late 2024.
Xander’s Behavior Shocks Fans
But focusing on family doesn’t mean a lack of drama. Many of the families in Salem are dysfunctional, to say the least. One of the most dysfunctional is the Kiriakis brood, especially after the family patriarch, Victor, passed away after actor John Aniston’s real-life death.
Everyone wanted their hands on Victor’s fortune. The late tycoon’s will was tampered with and falsely named Alex (Robert Scott Wilson) as Victor’s son. Xander eventually found out the truth that he was Victor’s actual son and heir. But Alex wasn’t the only scammer.
With the help of Vivian (Louise Sorel,) Xander’s half-brother Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) faked a letter from the late Victor stating that it was his desire for Xander and Philip to run Titan together.
When Xander found out the truth, he beat Philip to a pulp. But before he lost consciousness, Philip revealed another person who knew about the scheme: Xander’s wife Sarah (Linsey Godfrey.)
Paul Telfer Addresses Concerns Over Xander’s Direction
DOOL fans were shocked by the level of violence Xander showed toward his half-brother. But it’s not completely out of character. After all, Xander was a bad guy involved in a blood diamond smuggling ring when he first came to Salem.
Actor Paul Telfer joined the show in 2015. The Days Of Our Lives YouTube page shared a video of his co-stars celebrating the milestone anniversary.
Despite Xander’s past, Paul Telfer expected fans to be upset about Xander’s villain arc. He took to social media to reassure fans that the storyline is a good thing.
He replied to a fan who expressed concern about what the change in Xander will do to his relationship with Sarah. The actor wrote, “Relating to Xander’s character and past behavior that need to be properly explored and dramatized before he can achieve the kind of stability and happiness he keeps saying he wants. So I remain hopeful he’ll get there one day.”
Does Xander’s villain turn concern you or is it necessary for the storyline? Sound off in the comments.
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