'Days of our Lives' Celebrates 50 Years of History By Changing It: Xander is Alexandros

Paul Telfer stars as Xander on Days of our Lives.

Why does Days of Our Lives make it so hard to enjoy it? Days has an active fan base that spends year after year forgiving it for every major blunder it makes, and keeps watching when the latest "play to save Days" doesn't pan out.

On the April 9 episode of Days we learned that Xander Cook was not Alexander Kiriakis, son of Justin Kiriakis and Anjelica Curtis, as believed by viewers after Victor Kiriakis called him "Alexander" the day before. Well, Victor DID call him Alexandros at the end of the show. But what other relative does Victor have with that name? Instead, Xander was revealed to be Victor's heretofore unknown nephew, Alexandros Kiriakis, Victor's brother's son. Is he Justin's brother?

Viewers will remember that back in the day the reason why Victor was so obsessed with Justin was because he was Victor's only living relative. This was also why he was later obsessed with controlling the lives of his children, Bo and Isabella.

Why does Days of our Lives insist on inventing characters that didn't exist, when it has 50 years of history to use? Including a nephew of Victor's named Alexander.

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'Days of our Lives': Xander Cook is Alexander Kiriakis (Or Not)

Paul Telfer stars as Alexander on Days of our Lives.

On the April 8, 2015 episode of Days of Our Lives Xander Cook was revealed to be the long absent Alexander Kirikis. Alex is the biological son of Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth) and Anjelica Curtis, the role last played by Judith Chapman (Gloria on The Young and the Restless).

"Good to see you, Alexander," said Victor Kiriakis to Xander at the end of the episode. "Welcome home."

Alexander is a legacy character I have long wanted to return to the Days canvas. He is a blank slate that the 50-year-old soap can do anything with at this point. Since his biological mother is Anjelica, there is the added wrinkle that she was Jack Deveraux's (Matthew Ashford) step-mother at one time. Will Abby (Kate Mansi) or JJ (Casey Moss) be curious about what their father was like growing up? And what does Xander/Alex think of his own step mother, Adrienne (Judi Evans?)

UPDATE:
On the Wednesday, April 9 episode of Days, it was revealed Xander's name is actually Alexandros and he is Victor's nephew but not the Alexander Kiriakis viewers remember being born in 1989.

RELATED:
* Paul Telfer Joins 'Days of our Lives' as Xander
* 'Days of our Lives' Celebrates 50 Years of History By Changing It: Xander is Alexandros

Paul Telfer Joins 'Days of our Lives' as Xander

Paul Telfer will play Xander on Days of our Lives.

Paul Telfer has joined the cast of NBC soap opera Days of our Lives as Xander.

On March 12, Telfer tweeted a photo with "Mr. X" on his dressing room door. On March 17, he tweeted a photo of himself with the caption, "Prepare yourself America. You're just a week away from meeting this guy."

Telfer debuts on Days of our Lives next week.

Fans are wondering if "Xander" is actually Alexander Neil Kiriakis, the son Justin (Wally Kurth) had with Anjelica Deveraux (then Jane Elliot, who plays the mother of Kurth's Ned Quartermaine on General Hospital) in 1989. Sonny recently visited his half-brother "Alex" in Arizona, which helped fuel speculation that they are one in the same.

In late January, Telfer played the short term role of Damon, a hit man hired by Victor. Telfer's other credits include The Vampire Diaries, CSI, NCIS and Hotel Babylon.

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