Paul Telfer

Paul Telfer’s Journey from Paisley to Screen and Microphone

A First Class Film Studies degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1999 was just the beginning for Paul Telfer. Before the cameras found him, he cycled through jobs as a salesman, a teacher, and a painter – a restless path that eventually led to a career built on physical presence, a commanding voice, and a willingness to take work wherever it appeared. His early television break came with the British series Is Harry on the Boat?, followed by roles in Hotel Babylon and the TV miniseries Hercules. These credits established him as a credible actor in the UK market before his sights shifted westward.

The Move to America and Television Prominence

Relocating to the United States in 2004, Telfer brought his Scottish accent and physical charisma into American productions. His run on Spartacus gave him action-heavy experience, while a recurring role on The Vampire Diaries as Alexander – one of the original vampire hunters – introduced him to an intensely devoted fan base. Guest credits on NCIS, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Once Upon a Time added to a growing American television presence. Each role demonstrated a range that moved between period drama, genre action, and contemporary procedural without missing a beat.

Days of Our Lives and the Xander Kiriakis Legacy

No role has defined Telfer’s career more than Xander Cook Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives. First introduced in 2015 as a hitman named Damon, then recast into the recurring Xander role from 2016 onward, the character grew from antagonist to fan favorite. His performance earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2020, and in 2025 he took home the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – a milestone that carried personal weight well beyond the award itself. The show’s passionate audience responded to his ability to play menace and vulnerability within the same breath.

Voice Work and Gaming Credits

In 2014, Telfer brought his voice to video games alongside his on-screen work. He appeared as Will Irons in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, a supporting role in one of that year’s highest-profile military shooters. Additional voice work appeared in Sunset Overdrive and Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey the same year. These credits are a smaller portion of his overall output, but they reflect a actor willing to apply his craft across formats. His voice – shaped by Scottish roots and years of stage and screen training – translates naturally to the microphone.

Most Known Roles of Paul Telfer

• Will Irons – Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (Video Game, 2014)
• Additional Voices – Sunset Overdrive (Video Game, 2014)
• Additional Voices – Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)
• Xander Kiriakis – Days of Our Lives (TV Series, 2015-present)
• Alexander – The Vampire Diaries (TV Series, 2012-2013)
• Luke Marwood – Hotel Babylon (TV Series, 2007)
• Lord Macintosh – Once Upon a Time (TV Series)