TV News: Original Sin (Prequel) - Dexter Showrunner Says New Season ‘Not Undoing’ Finale, But Will Make Things ‘Right’
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Michael C. Hall is taking another stab at 'Dexter'
Eight years after Dexter's maligned finale, Michael C. Hall's serial killer reemerges for the event series Dexter: New Blood on Showtime.
Jennifer Carpenter on returning for 'Dexter: New Blood': 'I wanted to come back and haunt him'
Jennifer Carpenter opens up about what we can expect from her mysterious return for Dexter: New Blood.
Jennifer Carpenter on returning for Dexter: New Blood: 'I wanted to come back and haunt him'
The Dexter star opens up about saying goodbye to Debra in the 2013 series finale and what fans can expect to see from her now.
September 10, 2021 at 01:30 PM EDT
Michael C. Hall on the set of EW's October 2021 cover shoot.
Debra's burial in the series finale of Dexter was a sad (and very wet) moment: Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) threw his sister (Jennifer Carpenter) into the churning waters off of Miami before disappearing off the grid. Maybe she'll get a chance to register her complaint when Dexter: New Blood premieres on Nov. 7.
That's right: Deb is coming back! But how, exactly? Here, we talk to Carpenter about how difficult it was to say goodbye to her character eight years ago and what we can expect from her mysterious return.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: After Dexter ended in 2013, did people ask you about the possibility of a reboot?
JENNIFER CARPENTER: It felt open-ended enough that that possibility remained. But conversations didn't start in a real way until much later. I think the impression I got was that number one, Deb was dead and that Michael needed a moment away from it. So it was never something that I actively took the temperature on unless the conversation was brought up to me.
Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter in 'Dexter: New Blood'
| CREDIT: SEACIA PAVAO/SHOWTIME
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: And when did you first hear from anyone about bringing Deborah back in some form?
JENNIFER CARPENTER: Well, it actually didn't happen that way. Michael and I have stayed in touch and throughout the years and he would bring it up with what would seem like simple questions, but are actually very difficult. Should we? Could we? How would that look? Would you want to do it? Around May of 2019, it started to get quite real. I was in Los Angeles doing some press and I went over to Showtime's offices to have a conversation about whether Deb would be involved. Some things I felt inspired to say on her behalf. I also just wanted to listen about what it would look like. Dexter was around when cable TV was starting to raise the bar of what content could look like. Fans have been so loyal and enthusiastic. So I wanted certain things from it on their behalf before I was ready to go back.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Had the show ended differently, do you think Michael would have been having those conversations with you about revisiting the show?
JENNIFER CARPENTER: I can't speak for him. I think it's well known that I did want Deb to die. I didn't want to live on in the darkness that way. At the time I was happy to just sort of disappear into the abyss and disconnect. I hate that [people found it to be] a disappointment. It's the most personal investment you can make, playing a character. It was incredibly hard to hear, but I hope that the spotlight wasn't on Deb.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did you feel about the way Deb died? Did you want something a little more dramatic?
JENNIFER CARPENTER: When I watched it, it broke my heart. He sort of whisked her up, her hair dusting the bench of the boat, the engines have cut off, Dexter putting his cheek next to hers, and he literally slams her into the surface of the ocean only to descend into the graveyard of the other people who meant nothing to him. On behalf of my character, I thought that he vandalized her and disfigured her entire being. But we are talking about a serial killer who is deranged and prone to hurt others. Everybody wants to look at him like a real boy or a real man. The story always seemed to have this sympathetic attitude about him wanting to be a neat monster. But he's sick and it made me realize what a dead end he was.
Jennifer Carpenter and Michael C. Hall in 2013.
| CREDIT: PAUL ARCHULETA/FILMMAGIC
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So how will you appear in New Blood? As a voice in his head?
JENNIFER CARPENTER: I don't think it's as simple as that. That's part of what those conversations were about. What purpose would I serve coming back? I thought the only reason to bring the show back was so we could see what would become of an unmedicated, unchecked, unpunished, decoded, serial killer. What would the dark passion passenger look like if it had an all-access pass to this man? I wanted to come back and haunt him, comfort him, console him, encourage him, love him, hate him, and ruin him. So, it's such a difficult thing to speak about because I'm not even sure how it happened. We never shot anything in order. It feels like this sort of encased season happened on a four-lane superhighway. just sort of barreled down the highway, but I'm this strange, weird spooky kind of side road that goes somewhere totally different. It almost felt like the story exists on two campuses. We're under the same University of Dexter, but I never had to really track what was going on the way the actors did. It was really about visceral taking the temperature of the room and deciding how I want to manipulate it all.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Do you think Deb believes her brother should have to pay for his sins?
JENNIFER CARPENTER: One hundred percent of the regret she held was that she should have put bracelets on him. She should have put him in prison and he should have suffered in prison. Not that he would have suffered because I feel like shame and guilt are and will remain strangers to him. But that would have been the right justifiable thing to do that would honor her truth.
Jennifer Carpenter and Michael C. Hall on 'Dexter.'
| CREDIT: RANDY TEPPER/SHOWTIME
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Can we take a brief jog down memory lane? Remember when Dexter was such a big hit at Comic-Con?
JENNIFER CARPENTER: I don't think that I understood and I still don't. But it was always the gasoline that I needed to fill up my tank and go back and burn with everything that I had because I knew another Comic-Con would be coming up and I wanted them to be louder than the last time.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did it feel to say goodbye to the show in 2013?
JENNIFER CARPENTER: I felt a lot of ways. I felt relief. I felt dead and I felt revived. I felt privileged and I felt like I needed repair. And in some ways, I felt like an addict. I still wanted more of it. I did the scene with Michael and I started crying like crazy. I got back to my room and my eyes were so red. It almost scared me. I couldn't believe that my body was telling me how much this meant to me. It was sort of out of my control, how much I cared about it.
'Dexter: New Blood' isn't bad. But is it necessary?
Eight years after the awful lumberjack finale, Showtime's Dexter is back with a "limited series" that no one asked for — but hey, at least it's not terrible.
Dexter: New Blood review: It's not bad. But is it necessary?
Eight years after the awful lumberjack finale, Showtime's Dexter is back with a "limited series" that no one asked for — but hey, at least it's not terrible.
By Kristen BaldwinNovember 02, 2021 at 09:33 AM EDT
There may be no second acts in American lives, but in Hollywood, successful IP gets as many chances as money can buy. And thus, eight years after Dexter limped to its death with an infamously dismal "series finale," Showtime has resurrected the Emmy-winning serial killer drama with Dexter: New Blood (premiering Nov. 7). Billed as a 10-episode "limited series" — which reunites star Michael C. Hall with Dexter's original showrunner, Clyde Phillips — New Blood is not Trinity good, nor is it lumberjack bad. Based on the four episodes made available for review, the revival is a solid effort at creative redemption.
Ten years after faking his death and disappearing into the woods of Oregon, former vigilante murderer Dexter Morgan (Hall) is living a quiet life on the opposite coast, in the snowy upstate town of Iron Lake, N.Y. Everyone knows him as Jim Lindsay, the personable clerk at Fred's Fish & Game and boyfriend to Iron Lake's police chief, Angela Bishop (The Twilight Saga's Julia Jones). But Dexter's only true companion is the hallucinatory vision of his dead sister, Deborah (Jennifer Carpenter), a one-woman Greek chorus and ever-present reminder of Dexter's violent past. When we meet him, our antihero has been kill-free for nearly a decade — until an infuriating encounter with an obnoxious customer (Steve Robertson), who happens to be the wayward son of a local businessman (Clancy Brown), prompts Dexter to fall off the murder wagon. Complicating matters, this bloody backslide coincides with the unexpected return of Dexter's teenage son, Harrison (The Good Lord Bird's Jack Alcott), who tracked down dear old dad after learning he didn't die in a boat accident all those years ago.
In his previous life as a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami P.D., Dexter had no problem finding criminals to murder. In Iron Lake, the crimes are more of the "someone stole the pecan pies from the church potluck" variety — but it's also a tourist town, one that relies on the money brought in every winter during "rich a--hole season." The first two episodes set up an uneasy tension between the haves and have-nots of Iron Lake, and Angela is continually fighting for resources to investigate why women around town — including some from the nearby Seneca reservation — keep disappearing. (Hint: Dexter might not be the only serial killer in residence.)
Jack Alcott, Michael C. Hall, and Julia Jones in 'Dexter: New Blood.'
The relationship between Dexter Morgan — whose demeanor lands somewhere between deadpan and dead inside — and his volatile, foul-mouthed sister was always the heart of the original series. Phillips and his team put a compelling new spin on the dynamic here: Unlike Dexter's adopted father Harry (James Remar), who served as his moral guide from beyond the grave, ghost Deb is more tormentor than mentor, prone to jump-scare attacks and expletive-filled rants. She's particularly agitated over Dexter's decision to rebuild his relationship with Harrison, who — totally obvious plot development alert — may have inherited some of his dad's "dark tendencies."
Newcomer Alcott brings a melancholy allure to Harrison, a self-sufficient outsider who both resents Dexter for abandoning him and longs for his love and approval. The actor is tasked with carrying his own storyline — as Harrison settles into Iron Lake High School, he befriends a bullied loner (Christian Dell'Edera) — which he does with a winning confidence. Though the teen drama elements feel a little out of place in the Dexter universe (and it's unclear what purpose they'll ultimately serve), Alcott is charismatic enough to make them work.
The original Dexter finale was bad, and fans were understandably disappointed. Still, I think it's fair to say that most of us were able to move on. Was the world clamoring for more Dexter? No. But it's also hard to fault Phillips, Hall, Carpenter, and company for accepting Showtime's offer to burnish the tarnished legacy of this once-great series. Without seeing all 10 episodes, it's impossible to say yet whether New Blood succeeds. The revival wrestles with some of the same problems that plagued the original, from a penchant for toothless "will Dexter get caught?" fakeouts, to lazy logistical cheats (go ahead and stroll right into that crime scene, Dexter, even though you now work in retail). There's a decided and familiar lack of subtlety, too. The opening sequence is set to Iggy Pop's "The Passenger," an on-the-nose reference to Dexter's so-called "dark passenger," and the writing has its share of groaners. "Humans have always dealt with death through rituals," muses Dexter in one of his many grave voice-overs. "I guess mine are just a little unique."
They were, and maybe still are. It's kind of fun seeing Dexter again, with its serial killer-meets-dad jokes charm. As far as nostalgic do-overs go, this one may not be perfect, but at the very least it's not dead on arrival. B
Dexter: New Blood First Reviews: Michael C. Hall's Return to Killer Role Is 'Riveting,' Critics Say
The sequel is a must-see for enthusiastic fans of the original series, but nearly a decade after that disappointing lumberjack ending, the return to serial killer Dexter Morgan's twisted justice still may be a hard sell for disgruntled former viewers.
Dexter: New Blood: Season 1 - TV Reviews
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Dexter: New Blood Showrunner Clyde Phillips Promises a 'Stunning' Ending to the Serial Killer Sequel Series
The new series reunites star Michael C. Hall and four-season "Dexter" showrunner to tackle the character's daddy issues once and for all.
How Clyde Phillips Brought ‘Dexter’ Back to Life
<p>This Weeks Top 5 Topics:</p><ol> <li>Joe Millionaire is back! (2:39)</li> <li>November TV Preview (9:24)</li> <li>The Levy's go head to head (20:24)</li> <li>Showrunner Spotlight: Clyde Phillips ('Dexter: New Blood') (24:53)</li> <li>Critics Corner (1:05:49)</li> </ol><p>Welcome to TV's Top...
‘TV’s Top 5’: How Clyde Phillips Brought ‘Dexter’ Back to Life
During this week’s podcast, hosts Lesley Goldberg and Daniel Fienberg also preview some of the month’s biggest TV debuts.
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- Joe Millionaire is back! (2:39)
- November TV Preview (9:24)
- The Levy's go head to head (20:24)
- Showrunner Spotlight: Clyde Phillips ('Dexter: New Blood') (24:53)
- Critics Corner (1:05:49)
Welcome to TV's Top 5! Each episode features The Hollywood Reporter's West Coast TV Editor Lesley Goldberg and Chief TV Critic Daniel Fienberg breaking down the latest industry headlines. The podcast is broken into five segments, offering a deep-dive analysis of the latest TV news and a critical look at current and upcoming shows. Every episode of the weekly podcast includes an in-depth interview with one of the industry's most powerful showrunners or an up-and-coming new voice. Have an industry question you’d like to hear us address in a Mailbag segment? Email us at TVsTop5@THR.com. Stay tuned for future episodes and be sure to subscribe.
Hosted by: Lesley Goldberg and Daniel Fienberg
'Dexter: New Blood' surprise: An old friend from Miami comes for a visit
Dexter New Blood brings back David Zayas as Angel Battista.
Dexter Star Clancy Brown Reveals More About His John Wick 4 Role
Dexter: New Blood's Clancy Brown reveals his character in Chad Stahelski's John Wick: Chapter 4 is connected to The High Table in some way.
www.cbr.com
The finale looks like it's going to be wild. I know it's a limited series but this shit seems this can go on for a while.
I can accept what happen to dex. But i feel what happen in the end didnt make since.
I think there's going to be an announcement later today. About a possible spin off for a certain character. But yeah I thought this was solid. Except the very end of the finale.
Has the season been good? Like seriously? Should I sit down and watch it because after the first episode I wasn't impressed. He seemed hella sloppy
Michael C. Hall joins 'Dexter' prequel series and stars in new 'Dexter: Resurrection'
Dexter is back! Michael C. Hall joins prequel 'Dexter: Original Sin' as the inner voice of Dexter Morgan, and will star in the new series 'Dexter: Resurrection,' which is set in the present day.
Michael C. Hall joins Dexter: Original Sin and stars in new series Dexter: Resurrection
"I’ve spent so much time with this character and to go back and have all the imaginative blanks filled in is going to be great," Hall said.By
Sydney Bucksbaum
Published on July 26, 2024 10:01PM EDT
Dexter is back!
Dexter star Michael C. Hall is returning to his original franchise in a big way.
The actor is joining prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin, as the inner voice of the titular serial killer, a.k.a. the narrator role he also played in the original run of the show. He's also starring in the new series Dexter: Resurrection, which is set in the present day.
The news of Hall's casting was announced during the show's 2024 Comic-Con panel on Friday after the opening credits for the new prequel series (which is a recreation of the original show's graphic breakfast-making process) played for the packed Ballroom 20, and the final credit revealed Hall's casting.
Then Hall walked onstage to join the cast and showrunner for the panel and got a standing ovation from the crowd. At the end of the panel, it was revealed he's starring in the completely new series as well.
Michael C. Hall and Patrick Gibson, 'Dexter'.
RANDY TEPPER/SHOWTIME/EVERETT; PATRICK WYMORE/PARAMOUNT+ WITH SHOWTIME
See Christian Slater and more of the cast from bloodthirsty prequel Dexter: Original Sin in first-look photos
"It’s pretty heady. It’s so gratifying," Hall said of returning to the franchise for the prequel. "I cannot wait to watch this show. I’m on the inside to a certain degree and I have a sense of what’s coming but I’m really excited. I’ve spent so much time with this character and to go back and have all the imaginative blanks filled in is going to be great."
When it comes to recording Dexter's inner thoughts, Hall has a lot of experience after doing it for so many years — he previously played the older version of the character on Dexter for eight seasons from 2006 to 2013 and then returned to the role in 2021 sequel series Dexter: New Blood.
"It was always a tricky thing to imagine where Dexter might have been coming from, who he’s talking to," Hall said. "There were times I imagined he was in some sort of space where he was shown his life and had to justify it to some overlord or something. And I suppose it kind of works the same way in this."
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Sarah Michelle Gellar joins Dexter prequel series Original Sin
Special guest star Sarah Michelle Gellar moderated the panel and asked Hall and the new, younger Dexter, Patrick Gibson, if they've spent a lot of time together yet.
"The first time I encountered Patrick was when I joined via Zoom for a table read for the first two episodes," Hall revealed. "We exchanged some emails. We just met today and we’re almost the exact same height."
"Michael’s a little taller, I’ll admit," Gibson said with a laugh.
"You still have time to grow," Hall quipped. Later in the panel, Hall rescinded his comments and wondered if he should answered differently. "We actually grew up in the same house," he joked.
Self-proclaimed Dexter superfan Gibson then admitted, "Michael doesn't know that I've spent many nights falling asleep to his voice. This is the first time I've been able to tell you."
Dexter: Original Sin is set to premiere in December, while Dexter: Resurrection will debut in summer of 2025, on Paramount+.
Michael C. Hall Attempts to Explain How Dexter Can Return in ‘Resurrection’ After Dying in ‘New Blood’
Michael C. Hall opened up to Variety at San Diego Comic-Con about the future of Dexter Morgan.
variety.com
Dexter: Resurrection: Everything we know about release date, cast, timeline and setting
Showtime announced ‘Dexter: Resurrection, with Michael C. Hall returning as Dexter Morgan. Hall will also narrate in the prequel series ‘Dexter: Original Sin. The new series continues from ‘Dexter: New Blood and will premiere in 2025.
Dexter: Original Sin Should Copy The Vibe Of This Classic 80s Thriller
Christian Slater and Michael Lehmann will collaborate on Dexter: Original Sin, over 30 years after their classic 80s thriller, Heathers.
gamerant.com
'Dexter' won't die. How Showtime used Netflix to hype its expanding serial killer universe
To build buzz for the dark Showtime franchise, the company did a one-year lincensing deal for Netflix to stream the original series.
www.latimes.com
Will Harrison Morgan Return For Dexter: Resurrection? How New Blood Sets Up His Future
Will Harrison Morgan be in Dexter: Resurrection?
screenrant.com
Michael C. Hall says 'Dexter' prequel 'Original Sin' 'will help inform' new sequel 'Resurrection'
Michael C. Hall says that the new 'Dexter' prequel, 'Dexter: Original Sin,' 'will help inform' his experience on the new sequel series, 'Dexter: Resurrection.'
Dexter: Original Sin will air on Paramount + with Showtime in December 2024, and it'll star Patrick Gibson and Christian Slater as Dexter and Harry Morgan, respectively. Michael Lehmann will also direct several episodes of the prequel series, and this has led to fans linking the origins of a key collaboration back to a classic 1980s movie. Lehmann directed the 1988 thriller, Heathers, which starred Christian Slater as teenage killer, Jason 'J.D.' Dean.
Lehmann and Slater are working together for the first time since Heathers, with Dexter: Original Sin being set just three years after their hit movie came out. The Dexter prequel series is set to feature an eerily similar story of murder and young killer urges, which could copy the vibe of their previous collaboration on Heathers.
Dexter Prequel Series' New Cast Announcements
Patrick Gibson, Christian Slater and Molly Brown have been cast in prequel, Dexter: Original Sin, as Dexter, Harry and Debra Morgan respectively.
gamerant.com
Dexter: Best Villains In The Series, Ranked
On a show with a protagonist like Dexter Morgan, it's hard to create a fitting villain. These characters, though, create a fascinating dynamic.
gamerant.com
So I happen to watch a few Dexter videos on YouTube. And I stumble across the news that there's not one but two new Dexter series planned.So I did a search on the board and landed here.
What the fuck?
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