When I set up this interview, it was 'tentatively scheduled' at best. I simply asked Alexis Thorpe, via email, to give me a call anytime on a certain day and to my happy surprise, she did. She proved to be gracious, not to mention funny and heartwarmingly charming. So relax and enjoy my chat with one half of Salem's Gemini twins, Alexis Thorpe.

Alexis Thorpe's Cassie literally crashed into Days of Our Lives. Arriving via a space ship, along with twin brother, Rex (Eric Winter), Cassie proceeded to stir up a storm, until she found herself a victim of the serial killing spree. Cassie returned, alive and well, but viewers only got occasional glimpses of the character after that, and the actress chose to depart. But several other opportunities have since presented themselves, including new acting projects and yes, "aunt-icipation!"

But that's not to say that Thorpe will not miss Cassie. Is there a wish list of things she would've liked to have done with the character? "I think there was lots that could've been done with her, but I wasn't surprised because they have such a large cast at the moment," Thorpe states, "You know, (there are) great, talented people that deserve story because they are there every day." After her character's gradual disintegration, Thorpe reflects, "I didn't really expect for them to bring Cassie back and really dive into anything because there are so many things going on at the moment. I think she's a really interesting character, and there's room for her on the canvas at some point. I just don't think that now is the right time."

Thorpe admits that parting with her Days co-stars will be difficult. "I'm still so close with the younger set. I see Eric (Winter, Rex) and Farah (Fath, Mimi) all the time. We talk on the phone every day." Of her on-screen "captor" Thaao Penghlis (Tony), Thorpe gushes, "I love him. I absolutely adore that man. I think he is just perfect." But keeping in touch will be a priority and Thorpe tells me, "Now I've really been gone for about a year and a half, I think. So any withdrawal or sadness that I had from leaving my friends has already passed because the people that I really wanted to keep in touch with, I have, and not much has really changed...I do miss going to work and having that camaraderie because everyone is so close."

Being part of the daytime community has taught this talented actress well. "One of the great things that I was so used to was the pages of dialogue that we had to pull off every day," she shares, "Now, going to an audition where you have to memorize four or five pages and I see other girls struggle because they haven't had that experience... I look at it one time and I've got it." The actress, who also appeared as Rianna on The Young and the Restless, feels that the lessons she learned from soaps are invaluable. "I feel like I'm young but I have a sort of a wisdom about me because of the industry and what I've done with soaps, and I'm so thankful for that," she says candidly," I come to the set on time, I'm always prepared, I know how to treat people, I'm aware that the crew is most important. You need to make friends with your lighting guys and camera guys because they're the ones that really make you look good. And I've seen so many young actresses that take that for granted. You know, they have that sort of diva starlet thing about them and that's not how I am. I'm just there to work; that's all I care about."

Thorpe got a taste of what else could be out there while attending the Daytime Emmy Awards a few months ago. Several east coast soaps expressed interest in her and she says, "I met people from different shows and the producers there and I was really impressed!" So far, nothing has been etched in stone but Thorpe remains optimistic. "At the moment, I'm not going to make any final decisions. I'm just waiting to see what comes along. I want to see what characters are available or what their plans are. It's just very preliminary to come and be like 'Hi, this is me!'" Thorpe is also hoping to relocate to New York sometime this summer and confesses, "I just felt this calling to move there. I have a lot of friends that live there and I love that city."

In the meantime, Thorpe will not be too far away from her Days family. She is scheduled to play the lead character in The Exorcism of Tina Miller with former co-star Matt Ashford (Jack). "They did it (the film) last summer and I guess it turned out great and it raised a lot of interest from many large studios," the actress shares, "They were given a time frame to redo some things, change a couple of characters, and Matt asked me to star in it." Shooting is set to begin in early August, and meanwhile, Thorpe also recently taped a guest appearance on the USA Network hit show Nip/Tuck, which she thoroughly enjoyed. "There were a lot of people there that were like 'Oh we loved you on Days!' and I was just so surprised by some of the crew members. You know, huge muscled guys walking by me and they're like, 'Oh my gosh, it's Cassie!' I just never expected that. You just never know who watches!"

What kind of roles would Thorpe like to sink her teeth into? "I feel like the go-to girl for slutty activities," she jokes, referring to her previous appearance on House, "But hey, I guess it keeps me busy. I don't know what I want to play, I'm just not sure. I may find something fun." About her role in The Exorcism of Tina Miler, Thorpe says, "That's absolutely beyond anything I ever thought that I would do. I play Tina Miller so you can draw your own conclusions about how messed up I am in that!"

Speaking of "sinking teeth," Thorpe shares a real fear, albeit in a hilarious way: Sharks. "I'm taking surfing lessons because I'm up for a project where I have to surf. So I'm battling my ultimate fear of sharks." What will she do if she actually lands this project? "That's just my luck!" she laughs, "Because that will be the one role that I'll get." She continues, "Taking these (surfing) lessons, it's just comical because I'm not even paying attention to the waves. I'm just trying to look underneath me and if I see anything, I'll freak out. I'm such a baby!" Ironically, Thorpe professes a love of all things aquatic and says, "I love the ocean, I love being in the water and seeing all the little fish." Then, of course, a startling realization occurs to her. "I start to realize, 'Wait a minute. I am in the ocean. There are other things in this ocean besides little fish and they may come and get me.' And then I start to panic!" By this time, both Thorpe and I are in hysterics, despite the fact that phobic fear is real fear. "I was in Maui last year and swam out to see (the fish) and all of a sudden I thought, 'Oh crap! There are sharks here!' And I just swam back to shore and was afraid to even put my feet in."

Obviously settling in to watch a tape of Jaws is not on Thorpe's agenda. What is on her agenda is "aunt-icipation!" Thorpe's sister is due to give birth to her first child any minute now and Thorpe is thrilled beyond words. "I've been going to Babies R Us and buying everything I see!" she gushes, "It's the first baby for the family. I mean, the first grandchild (a girl!)... pretty much the first everything. We're just so excited! I'm bouncing off the walls, I can't wait....She's got dimples and I saw this on an ultrasound before she was even born. You know, I can't believe that they can do this. I think I'm even more excited than my sister!" It sounds like rewarding times are ahead for Auntie Alexis as she plans to spoil this child to the fullest extent!

Alexis Thorpe is more than just a lovely and talented actress. The word that comes to my mind is "angel" and it fits her perfectly. Hopefully the daytime community is aware of this young woman and she will grace our screens again soon.

I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Alexis for taking the time to talk to me. It was a joy and a pleasure!

Visit Alexis on the web and get the very latest news on her career. You can also read personal messages from Alexis on her message boards!

Photos courtesy of various sources. "Cassie" screen capture courtesy of the author.