“Days of Our Lives” is bringing back Lexie Carver, 14 years after fan-favorite actress Renee Jones left the show and the character was killed off. Lexie will have a new face when she returns alive because actress Nikki Crawford has stepped into the beloved character.
Nikki Crawford Is the New Lexie on ‘Days of Our Lives’
Crawford opened up to TV Insider about her soap debut and about taking on a role played by an actress fans adored. The actress didn’t know she’d be a recast when she auditioned for the hit Peacock soap, since details about the role were kept under wraps.
“It wasn’t until I got the role that they told me, ‘No, you’re the new Lexie Carver,’” she expressed. Crawford also admitted to doing extensive research about Lexie, especially since she has never watached any soap, let alone “Days of Our Lives.”
Along with researching the character online, Crawford also spoke with her new co-workers about Lexie.
“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,” Crawford explained.
The actress gushed over co-stars James Reynolds (Abe Carver), Jackée Harry (Paulina), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo), and Deidre Hall (Marlena) for helping her adjust to being a recast. Since it was also her first soap role, Crawford gave her new friends mad props, giving her grace as she got used to the fast pace.
Nikki Crawford Opens Up About Taking Over Beloved Character
It’s never easy to take over a role, much less one that fans adored so much and that has been off the canvas for over a decade. Lexie supposedly died from an inoperable brain tumor in her husband Abe’s arms back in 2012.
Crawford was tasked not only with bringing Lexie back from the dead but also with taking over for Jones, someone fans cherished. The actress knew it was a challenge but was up for the task.
“What she did was iconic, and she really created something wonderful. It’s understandable why the audiences loved and were invested in her and then were torn apart when she left. I saw it more as an opportunity to honor what audiences have loved, while bringing truth to who Lexie is today and creating upon what Renee had previously built,” Crawford explained.
There’s no question that Crawford’s Lexie will be different than Jones. However, Crawford hopes fans give her a chance, given what she brings is new, as is the situation of Lexie being back from the dead.
The actress promises an entertaining and intriguing storyline as Lexie comes in hot in her return.
