Inside Michael C. Hall’s ‘Dexter’ Return

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As I delve into the thrilling world of Dexter: Original Sin, my heart beats with anticipation and excitement! Having spent years analyzing the complexities of characters and plots, I must say that this prequel series has certainly piqued my interest.

[This story contains major spoilers from the premiere of Dexter: Original Sin.]

The last time Dexter’s audience caught up with Dexter Morgan, the lead character portrayed by Michael C. Hall, he had met his end.

In the concluding part of Showtime’s 2022 revival series Dexter: New Blood, Dexter, played by Michael C. Hall, asked his now-grown son Harrison (portrayed by Jack Alcott) to end his life as a means to halt the destructive cycle and provide Harrison with a more promising future. Consequently, Harrison fatally shot Dexter in the chest. As he lay bleeding in the snowy landscape of Upstate New York, Dexter uttered his final words, “You did well.” To round off the series, Hall’s voiceover echoed, “Let me die so my son can live.

In a discussion following the finale titled “Sins of the Father,” Dexter’s former showrunner and creator of New Blood, Clyde Phillips (who left the original series midway through its eight seasons), shared their reasoning behind deciding to end Dexter’s life, believing it was necessary for the sake of the Dexter audience.

Following the bitter disappointment many felt after season eight’s finale of ‘Dexter’, which aired in 2013 and saw Dexter pretending to die and vanishing into obscurity with a new identity, we understood that the series could not continue with him eluding capture. The narrative had reached its conclusion. As Michael Phillips explained to The Hollywood Reporter at the time, the integrity, authenticity, and dignity of the character of Dexter, which we had carefully developed over nearly a decade, necessitated such an ending. We hoped that viewers would be saddened by his departure, feel content, and recognize that this was necessary; it was inevitable.

So Dexter is dead, right? Well, not anymore.

The first moments of “Dexter: Original Sin” make clear that Dexter Morgan is alive. This Showtime prequel series, which started broadcasting its 10-episode season weekly on Fridays, shows Dexter (portrayed by Hall) being moved from the snow to a hospital. There, doctors manage to revive him after he suffered severe blood loss due to a gunshot wound.

As Hall, portraying Dexter, narrates in a voiceover, and his heart starts pounding once more, he remarks, “I’ve faced death numerous times, but never my own. Just as they put it, your entire life seems to pass by, right before your eyes.

The prequel series was first announced in early 2023 amid Showtime’s plans to expand its successful franchises. As the series began to take shape, Hall, who is an executive producer on Original Sin, was confirmed to be returning to voice the inner monologue of Dexter, who is played by star Patrick Gibson in Original Sin.

But the fact that future Dexter is actually alive and well was kept secret until now.

In a chat with THR now, Phillips explains why he and Hall opted to alter Dexter’s ending and rekindle the franchise. This decision is linked to the upcoming series, “Dexter: Resurrection,” set for release in summer 2025, where Hall will return to play the character of Dexter once more.

As a gamer, reminiscing about penning the epic finale of “New Blood”, a moment that broke records as the most-watched single episode on Showtime, I can’t help but smile at the frenzy it sparked online. Fans were head over heels for Dexter and Michael C. Hall, two characters they held dear. In those days, I wished I could announce publicly: “I had the privilege of Michael C. Hall for only one year.” Writing “New Blood”, I was fortunate to work with him for just a year.

He goes on to say, “I wanted to avoid him ending up in prison or vanishing mysteriously at the end, so I chose a daring approach instead. Unfortunately, it didn’t sit well with many people online.

Then, he got a call from Hall.

Michael returned to me and expressed, ‘It feels like Dexter’s embedded within us both, Clyde. We should continue this journey. Is there a way we can make it work?’ I managed to find a solution,” he recounted.

Phillips also offers a scientific rationale for Dexter’s survival after being shot. In essence, he explains that if Dexter had been wounded on a hot summer day, he would not have survived. However, since the shooting occurred in freezing zero-degree temperatures amid snowfall, Dexter didn’t bleed out, allowing them to save him. Essentially, this is how they managed to “bring him back to life.

If the current events are a manifestation of Original Sin in Dexter’s mind, then Resurrection could be described as the moment when Dexter awakens from his coma in the hospital bed.

“You could almost consider Resurrection the next season of New Blood,” says Phillips.

Following an initial modern-day prologue, “Original Sin” travels back to 1991 Miami, introducing a younger version of Dexter Morgan, portrayed by Gibson. Molly Brown steps into the role of Deborah Morgan, who was initially played by Jennifer Carpenter in the first two series; and Christian Slater assumes the part of Harry Morgan, Dexter’s father, previously acted by James Remar. The rest of the familiar characters from “Dexter” are also present: Detective Angel Batista (James Martinez), forensic analyst Vince Masuka (Alex Shimizu) and Detective Maria LaGuerta (Christina Milian). New characters in the Miami Metro Police Department, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Patrick Dempsey, and Reno Wilson, are also introduced.

Phillips, crediting casting director John Papsidera, shares that it was quite a task to find an actor fitting for young Michael C. Hall and Dexter. After conducting a global search, they found Gibson, a 29-year-old Irish actor who has made appearances in shows like The OA, The Darkest Minds, and Shadow & Bone. They sifted through countless audition tapes until their eyes ached, but when Gibson came along, it was clear he stood out. He was promptly invited to the studio, where they spent an hour together. Gibson looked perfect for the part, was in excellent physical condition, and even shared a fondness for the show. After observing his work, they felt confident that they had found exactly what they were searching for. For the first time in his career, Phillips could proudly say, they landed their top picks.

In this reimagined premiere of Dexter’s backstory, it’s filled with numerous references to the original series that will undoubtedly thrill diehard fans of Dexter. From the initial swipe at a mosquito in the revamped intro sequence, which meticulously mirrors the opening shot from the original, to the appearance of Dexter’s birth mother, the reintroduction of the “code” shared between Dexter and Harry, and even his first murder (which prompts Gibson to break the fourth wall by looking directly at the camera), the atmosphere is thick with nostalgia for Dexter.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t wait to dive into the rich tapestry of lore from nine thrilling seasons of this show. This game is shaping up to be an exhilarating Easter egg hunt! While crafting the episodes, we would often find ourselves immersed in fascinating stories, and when someone presented a fantastic Easter egg idea, we’d dash to the set, leaving a trail of clues for the fans to uncover. They’re going to love it!

The audience will soon come to understand that the series, Original Sin, unfolds across two distinct periods of time. A significant portion takes place during the 1990s, focusing on Dexter, a developing serial killer, who embarks on a forensics internship at his father’s homicide department in Miami Metro, under the supervision of department head Tanya Martin (Gellar) and Captain Aaron Spencer (Dempsey). However, the series also delves into the past, following a younger Harry, still portrayed by Slater, in an alternate timeline that is set two decades earlier.

Phillips clarifies that we shouldn’t think of these scenes as flashbacks. Instead, the show is set in two different timeframes: 1991, when Dexter turned 20, and 1973, a year when Harry was working on an undercover case and met Dexter at just 2 years old.

1973 marks the time when Harry first encounters and forms a bond with Dexter’s biological mother, Laura Moser (portrayed by Brittany Allen). Tragically, she is later murdered before Dexter and his brother, an event that leads to Harry adopting Dexter. This significant incident is deeply ingrained in the narrative of Dexter. According to Phillips, this 1973 storyline serves to strengthen the backstory presented in the 1991 segment of the series.

In the year 1973, a significant disclosure is made to the audience when they discover that Harry had a biological son who sadly drowned in the family’s swimming pool while under Harry’s supervision. This tragic event occurred before Dexter, who was just two years old at the time, entered Harry’s life. This fact is surprising not only to viewers but also to grown-up Dexter, as he was unaware of it.

Slater explains to THR how learning about this event significantly influenced Harry’s actions, shaping every decision he made moving forward. He would go to great lengths to shield and secure his child’s safety in the future. The revelation of this tragedy played a crucial role in explaining why Harry was willing to take such risks for his son, and it served as the foundation for the “code” he created, which allowed Dexter to eliminate dangerous individuals without being caught. This factor proved to be one of the primary driving forces behind Harry’s choices.

Slater admits he hasn’t talked to Remar yet, but has always been an ardent admirer. He remarks that what Remar did with the character has made their work feasible, and now, “Origin Sin” provides a chance to delve deeper into Harry’s background. This includes understanding his traumas, the regret and embarrassment he feels about certain decisions he made in his youth, which ultimately shape his feelings towards his son and the paths he steers him down. However, Harry is a character who embodies unwavering love.

According to Phillips, if everything works out as expected, both shows, “Original Sin” and “Resurrection”, are intended to have multiple seasons each. He’s optimistic about the reception of “Original Sin”, while production for “Resurrection” begins in January. It’s unusual for a prequel and sequel to launch so closely together, especially if both shows get renewed for additional seasons, with one following the other. Phillips admits that managing two projects simultaneously could mean he needs to be in two places at once, but he’s glad to have the opportunity to work on these shows.

As a devoted admirer, I’d be thrilled beyond words if Gibson were to carry on portraying the captivating character of young Dexter across future seasons. This initial season of “Original Sin” can be perceived as a maturing tale of a serial killer, with Dexter exhibiting fervent fandom towards infamous killers such as Ted Bundy, the Night Stalker, BTK, and the Zodiac Killer. Amidst his dual nature, which he skillfully navigated in later seasons until it crumbled, Dexter grapples with the two distinct aspects of himself. In the first episode, we witness him making a bloody first kill and keeping a trophy that may return to haunt him, yet simultaneously using his bloodlust to rescue his intoxicated sister from a potential assault.

Despite all the events unfolding and the clear progression this season, it was essential for me that Dexter had more development left to undergo before becoming the character we’re familiar with,” Gibson explains to THR. “You will indeed witness him absorbing and learning from these experiences. I don’t believe he repeats mistakes; instead, he is meticulous. However, there are still many lessons waiting for him.

He goes on to say, “He’s not fully formed his character yet. You see, being a psychopath is something you actively cultivate and perfect. As the narrative unfolds, the facade he presents will gradually resemble the Dexter we’re familiar with, but there’s still some distance to go in this development.

As the series Original Sin unfolds, it’s reminiscent of catching up on an old season of Dexter, but with fresh characters. Phillips, the showrunner, describes the rest of the season as follows: “While there isn’t a murder in every episode, someone is always on the brink of being murdered. There seems to be a killer lurking around almost every corner.” He further explains that just like how John Lithgow played the Trinity Killer, there will be a major villain, or “Big Bad,” causing havoc in Miami, and Dexter eventually takes them down. This pattern of having a main antagonist, or “Big Bad,” is consistent throughout the series.

***

Every week, fresh episodes of Dexter: Original Sin become available for streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime. These episodes then air for the first time on television every Sunday evening at 10 p.m., on Showtime.

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2024-12-13 19:26