Paul Telfer is one of those guys you’ve definitely seen before, even if you can’t quite place the name immediately. Most people know him as the shirtless, plotting, yet strangely lovable Xander Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives. Honestly, he’s lived in that role for a decade now. But if you think he just stepped onto a soap set and stayed there, you’re missing about half the story.
From leading epic miniseries to playing a vampire hunter in the 12th century, Telfer has a filmography that’s way more varied than your average daytime star. He’s Scottish, by the way. That accent he uses in Salem? It’s not a choice; it’s the real deal, hailing from Paisley. It’s actually kind of wild how he transitioned from classical "tough guy" roles into one of the most complex characters on modern daytime TV.
The Big Break: When Paul Telfer Became a Legend (Literally)
Before he was causing chaos in a fictional Midwest town, Telfer was literally playing gods and heroes. Back in 2005, he landed the titular role in the Hercules miniseries. It was a massive deal at the time. He had the physique for it, obviously, but he also brought a certain groundedness to a character that usually feels like a cardboard cutout.
Not long after, he popped up in Spartacus (the 2004 version) as Gannicus. If you look back at these early Paul Telfer movies and TV shows, there’s a clear pattern. He was the go-to guy for "historically jacked warrior." He even played Hephaestion in Young Alexander the Great. He was basically living in leather sandals and carrying a sword for the better part of three years.
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The Transition to Peak TV and Procedurals
Most actors find a niche and stick to it, but Telfer started bouncing around some of the biggest shows on television. You might remember him from NCIS. He played Marine Corporal Damon Werth in a multi-episode arc. It wasn't just a "guest star of the week" thing; his character had a legitimate, emotional weight to it, dealing with the aftermath of his service.
Then there’s the cult-classic stuff.
- The Vampire Diaries: He played Alexander, one of the original vampire hunters (The Five).
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: He showed up as Viro, a guy who definitely wasn't looking out for the team.
- Once Upon a Time: He had a guest spot as Lord Macintosh.
Basically, if you had a popular genre show in the 2010s, there was a 50/50 chance Paul Telfer was going to show up and either try to kill the protagonist or at least make their life very difficult.
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The Xander Kiriakis Phenomenon
It’s impossible to talk about Paul Telfer movies and TV shows without looking at the Days of Our Lives of it all. Fun fact: he wasn't even supposed to be Xander. He actually appeared on the show first as a henchman named Damon. The producers liked him so much they brought him back as Xander Cook (later Kiriakis) in 2015.
What started as a one-dimensional villain—a guy who was basically there to look mean and take his shirt off—evolved into something else entirely. Telfer has this ability to play "pathetic" and "dangerous" at the exact same time. It’s why fans stayed obsessed with his relationship with Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey). He turned a "bad guy" into a leading man, which is a nearly impossible pivot in the soap world.
In 2020, he finally got a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor. And by 2025, he’d fully cemented his legacy by winning the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor. He’s the heart of that show now, which is pretty crazy considering he started as a temp hire.
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Recent Work and the Audio Movie Frontier
Lately, Telfer has been branching out into projects that don’t require him to be under studio lights for 12 hours a day. He recently worked on Unsinkable, an 11-part audio movie series on Wondery+. It’s an immersive, Dolby Atmos experience about a cargo ship in WWII. He’s also been in indie films like Green Rush (2020) and Star Trek First Frontier.
Honestly, his career path is a lesson in longevity. He didn't let the "Hercules" tag define him, and he didn't let the "Soap Star" tag limit him.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you only know him from Peacock, you’re missing out on some solid performances. Here is what you should do next to see the full range:
- Watch the NCIS episodes (specifically "Corporal Punishment"): It’s the best showcase of his dramatic range outside of the soap opera format.
- Check out Green Rush: If you want to see him play a truly gritty, non-glamorous role, this is the one.
- Listen to Unsinkable: It’s a great way to appreciate how much he does with just his voice, which is often overshadowed by his physical presence.
Keep an eye on his production credits, too. He’s been moving more into writing and producing lately, suggesting that the next phase of his career might happen behind the camera as much as in front of it.