From action-packed roles on Spartacus and The Vampire Diaries to daytime drama, Paul Telfer has become a fan favorite on Days of Our Lives. Since 2016, he’s captivated viewers as Xander, delivering steamy scenes, high-stakes drama, and unforgettable storylines. Along the way, he’s earned a devoted fanbase, a 2025 Daytime Emmy, and shares a Broadway love story with wife Carmen Cusack — proving that talent and passion make a lasting impression both on and off screen.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Telfer has been heating up daytime screens as Xander since 2016, keeping fans hooked with every twist and shirtless scene.
- From salesman to teacher to painter, Telfer’s unlikely path to stardom proves he’s no stranger to hard work and reinvention.
- His early roles on Spartacus and The Vampire Diaries gave him a crash course in passionate fan followings — skills he now brings to daytime TV.
- Telfer’s 2025 Daytime Emmy win wasn’t just for drama — it honored a personal chapter that made the victory deeply meaningful.
- Off-screen romance meets Broadway magic: Telfer met his wife, Carmen Cusack, while performing together, blending love and career on stage.
Scottish Scholar
Paul Telfer was born on October 30 in Paisley, Scotland, UK. He graduated with First Class honors in Film Studies from the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1999.
Their Name In Lights
He has been married to Carmen Cusack since December 1, 2012. The pair met while performing together in the 2021 Broadway production of Flying Over Sunset.
Jack Of All Trades
Before becoming a full-time actor, he worked as a salesman, teacher, and painter.
Shirt Be Damned
Telfer moved to the United States in 2004 for a role on Spartacus. The following year, he was cast in a miniseries Hercules. In 2012 Telfer joined the cast of The Vampire Diaries as Alexander, one of the original vampire hunters who had a relationship with Rebekah Mikaelson (Claire Holt). Although the character didn’t last too long, Telfer got to experience just how passionate the show’s fans were while attending conventions geared towards the show. That definitely prepared him for the passionate daytime fans, to whom he shares a special connection. Now 21 years later, Telfer is still peeling off his shirt, as Xander, a role he started playing in 2016. Fun fact – the actor was hired the year prior to play a hitman named Damon, which ironically was the lead character’s name on The Vampire Diaries.
Gold Standard
The actor just took home the 2025 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, which came with some emotional baggage. His Emmy win wasn’t just for a powerful storyline — it honored a deeply personal chapter of his life.
