Esther Shapiro later said that the character of Alexis was based on the Roman empress Livia, as characterized in the 1934 novel I, Claudius. Of creating the character, Collins said in 2018, "I was basing her on all the businessmen I knew who were heartless, really. The other part of her brain, the glamorous part with the over-the-top clothes, I based on one of my best friends called Cappy Badrutt.
Esther Shapiro's character inspiration for Alexis was drawn from Roman empress Livia as depicted in the novel "I, Claudius."  Author Collins drew inspiration for Alexis' character from ruthless businessmen and also incorporated a glamorous side to her personality based on his friend Cappy Badrutt.