DAYS Exclusive: Linsey Godfrey Says Sarah Is ‘Definitely Tortured’ By Lying To Xander

On Days of our Lives, Sarah’s got the goods on Philip, having learned the letter he used to gain half of Titan Industries is a forgery. However, she’s opted to keep mum about the bombshell secret and not share the news with her husband, Xander. Actress Linsey Godfrey has some strong opinions about the story turn, and she shared them with Soap Opera Digest.

Soap Opera Digest: What’s your take on Sarah’s decision to keep such crucial information from Xander?

Linsey Godfrey: It’s so anti-Sarah. I actually find this whole storyline to be so out of character for her. Sarah is a terrible liar, and she’s very uncomfortable with deceiving people. That’s her main issue with Xander, is that he doesn’t tell the truth all the time. He flat out lies. So the idea that she, who has these very strong views about keeping secrets, is keeping a secret is so not her. The reason behind it [makes sense]. Xander can be very out of control. After everything that’s happened with him going after Brady and all of these other things, she’s petrified about what will happen if she tells him about Philip. She’s so scared that he’ll react violently. Then she’s left without a husband as a single mom, and Victoria’s left without a dad because he’s in prison.

Digest: Sarah has taken on the position of Xander’s keeper. She’s the one who keeps him reined in. So from that perspective she’s justified.

Godfrey: Yes. She has good reason, and she’s justified in that reason. In her mind, she’s like, “He isn’t somebody who should have unlimited power and access to unlimited funds, because he’s proven himself untrustworthy with that power and dangerous.” If he has to run things by someone else, then it at least slows him down from making a poor choice. It’s all to save her husband. It’s all to save her family, but it is also very, very out of character for her. I don’t disagree with the choice that she’s making, although I also feel very strongly about omission and not admitting the truth. But you can see why Sarah would do this. It’s because she’s like, “Well, what if he beats Philip to death?”

Digest: Is Sarah also striving for peace in the family? Is she hoping that maybe Xander and Philip can eventually bond as brothers?

Godfrey: Absolutely, especially because Xander’s always wanted a family. Now, not only does he have a dad that he’s accepted, but he also got to see his mom, whether it was good or bad. And he has a sibling, multiple siblings, but one that he’s in contact with. That’s not something Xander’s ever had.

Digest: One thing that’s interesting is that Xander is this big burly guy, yet Sarah’s the one that rules the roost. She’s the one in charge; the one who keeps him in line. Do you like that dynamic between the characters?

Godfrey: Yes, and it’s something that Paul [Telfer, Xander] and I have really kind of established as well, because he lets himself be vulnerable in that way. A lot of times male actors won’t let themselves lose in a scene. Not just male, but a lot of actors. Paul allows Xander to be [gentle]. Xander is this big scary guy, but he is a little boy around Maggie. I love that dynamic, and I think the juxtaposition of it [between Sarah and Xander] is so hysterical, because I’m not a very big person and Paul is a very big person. Even in our friendship dynamic I tend to be bossy, and Paul’s just kind of like, “Ehhh.”

Digest: It definitely works well between the two of you.

Godfrey: I think it’s important, because a guy like Xander can’t be with somebody that he’s intimidating or is kind of meek. He’d walk all over them. He has to be with somebody who keeps him in check. I don’t know why, but I’ve always kind of played Sarah a little bit bossy in certain aspects. And she’s so bossy with Xander and so much in charge. I love that dynamic.

Digest: Strong women definitely appeal to Xander. After all, the two he loves and respects the most are Sarah and Maggie.

Godfrey: He tends to show respect the most to women who will tell him [the truth] about himself, and I love that. It’s definitely a credit to Paul with these decisions. I think it’s important when you’re approaching characters, especially in this genre, to have a different kind of relationship with each person. It’s very smart to play it that way. It’s like certain types of people tend to garner respect and other types of people tend to not. I find that very interesting for both Xander and Sarah. She has people who she’s very gentle with and other people who she could not be more stern with. You’ll definitely see Sarah get some serious legs under her as this storyline specifically progresses. You’ll see her sternness carry and spill over kind of everywhere to everyone. You’ll definitely see a very much stronger side of Sarah, and it’s something that I think we are intending to keep.

Digest: Is Sarah feeling any guilt about keeping Philip’s secret from Xander?

Godfrey: Yes, because she isn’t somebody who lies. So you’ll see that struggle of, “I feel like I’m making the right choice, however, I’m still making a choice that I’m not comfortable with.”

Digest: Does she feel like she can handle the situation she’s put herself in? Does she have a plan on how she’d going to keep things under control?

Godfrey: She’s kind of like, “Let me take this [secret] to the grave.” She hates handling it. She hates dealing with it. She hates lying, especially because that was kind of an agreement between her and Xander when they were getting back together. [They promised] that there would be full honesty with each other. They’re at this good place together with their child and feeling happy. So for her, she’s like, “Now I’m doing the thing that I hate that he does.” Sarah’s definitely tortured about keeping this secret, whether or not she’s justified in doing it.