Nikki Crawford is set to make her soap opera debut on the Friday, March 6 episode of “Days of our Lives,” playing Lexie Carver, the once thought-to-be-dead wife of Abe Carver (James Reynolds). The role was originated by Renee Jones, who appeared on the drama series from 1993 -2012.
The presumed dead Lexie will be revealed to have been kept alive by Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) in his mystery lab, with EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) set to give Abe’s current wife, Paulina (Jackée Harry), a shock when he brings her to the lab to reveal Lexie’s resurrection.
In an interview with TV Insider, which first reported the news, Crawford told the outlet that when she auditioned for a role on the show last year, she wasn’t aware she’d be playing Lexie, only learning the details shortly after being cast. “They used another name just because she was such a beloved character,” said Crawford. “So, when I started doing my research, I thought, ‘Oh, well, maybe she’s coming on as Lexie’s sister,’ and it wasn’t until I got the role that they told me, ‘No, you’re the new Lexie Carver.’”
While she’s not an avid soap opera viewer, Crawford notes she did her homework on the character before she began taping at the show’s Burbank-based studio. “I don’t watch soaps, but like with any role that I take on, I do extensive research,” she noted. “So, I watched the show. I delved into her backstory through Google searches. There’s so much information and so many websites dedicated to Lexie Carver, so I did a lot of that, and then when I got on set and started working, I started speaking to other actors, and the producers and the directors really filled me in on Lexie’s backstory, which was extremely helpful. The character had gone through so much and so I wanted to embody all of that when she comes back to life.”
Although it’s unknown how long Crawford will remain in Salem as Lexie, the actress says she truly enjoyed working alongside her co-stars, including Reynolds, Harry, Tyler Joseph Andrews, who plays Theo Carver, Lexie and Abe’s son, and Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans).
“I played it more like she was in a coma for these last 15 years,” noted Crawford of how she played her scenes. “I really honored who she was, but I also grounded her in who she is. I would say at her core, Lexie is driven by love. Her family is everything to her. And now that she’s been given a second chance at life, that raises the stakes.” Meanwhile, she reveals that Lexie’s reappearance will have a major impact on the folks in Salem.
“Her return is going to shake things up, especially with Abe now being married to Paulina,” previews Crawford. “But I think what makes her relatable is that she’s willing to fight for what she loves. Most people, if given a second chance, would do the same thing. So, she may come in with love, but she’s not coming in quietly.”
To find out more about Lexie’s return, read Crawford’s full TV Insider interview here.
Crawford’s other television credits include appearances on “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “9-1-1,” “Elsbeth,” and, more recently, “Cruel Intentions” and “Tracker,” among others.
