WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for Dexter.
Summary
TheDextersequel seriesDexter: New Bloodunderstood that the series wouldn’t work without one crucial character.New Bloodwas released in 2021 as the long-awaited followup toDexter’sseason 8 finalein which Dexter miraculously survives charging his Slice of Life into an incoming hurricane to become a loner lumberjack in hiding.Dexter: New Bloodfeatured original cast member Michael C. Hall as the titular protagonistonce again under the alias of Jim Lindsay in the fictional town of Iron Lake, New York. The series interestingly dives into the aftermath of thecontroversialDexterfinaleand gives the chance for him and his son Harrison to unexpectedly reunite.
Several key characters fromDexterare set to return in the highly anticipatedprequel seriesDexter: Original Sin. After Michael C. Hall reprised his iconic role as the charismatic vigilante serial killer Dexter Morgan in 2021’sDexter: New Blood,Dexter: Original Sinwent into development in February 2023. While it’s unclear whether Hall will appear onscreen in theDexterprequel series, which is set in 1991, fifteen years before the events ofDexterseason 1 take place, he is attached as an executive producer along withNew Bloodcreator andOriginal Sinshowrunner Clyde Phillips.
I’m Still Annoyed That Dexter’s Reboot Completely Ignored A 12-Year-Old Mystery About 2 Huge OG Characters
Dexter: New Blood leaves out several characters from the original series, but two in particular could have had a logical impact in the Dexter sequel.
Dexter & New Blood Both Needed Debra Morgan For Their Success
Debra is the most crucial character in the series besides Dexter
Dexter and Debra have always been a compelling duo throughout Dexter’s eight seasons. Even with the season 1 revelation that Brian Moser, better known as The Ice Truck Killer, was actually Dexter’s biological brother,Dexter still chose to protect Debra Morgan, his adoptive sister, because the two have shared a strong brother-sister bond their entire lives. With the exception of the bizarre creative choice to try and have Debra and Dexter become romantically involved inDexterseason 7, the dynamic between Debra and Dexter has always been one of the strongest points of the series, which is why it was smart to bring her back inNew Blood.
Debra did a lot for Dexter throughout the original series. She provided both a foil to his dark and overly serious character and was the most consistent moral anchor for Dexter throughout the show.It’s fascinating to watch Debra still love and accept her brother after she finds out about his “dark passenger"and Harry’s code, and it’s upsetting to watch her character’s downfall into total disarray in the final season leading to her controversial death at the hands of Dexter in the finale. It was wise to have Jennifer Carpenter, who played Debra, return in the sequel and replace Harry as Dexter’s familial and ghostly confidant.
How Old Dexter’s Returning Characters Are In Showtime’s New Prequel Show
The six original Dexter characters returning for Dexter: Original Sin will be portrayed by new cast members, some of which have interesting age gaps.
Jennifer Carpenter Was A Huge Source Of Dexter’s Personality As Debra Morgan
Debra’s unconditional love for Dexter was the backbone of the series
While Dexter was more subdued to the other characters in the series but very vocal and transparent to the audience through his constant voiceovers, Debra was able to give both his character and the show at large a lot more personality. Debra returns to partly haunt and ultimately guide Dexter inNew Blood, fully committed to preventing her murderous brother from making his same old mistakes, such as getting too close to his loved ones which always results in them getting hurt or dying. InNew Blood, Debra is adamant about having Dexter stay away from Harrison after he shows up on his doorstep.
One would think that after all the time that had passed between the Dexter season 8 finale and the start of New Blood, Dexter might have changed for the better. As it turns out,Dexter still cannot help himself from developing a relationship with Harrison, even against Deb’s wishes and better judgment. Fortunately for Harrison, he was able to make it out of New Blood alive but ended up killing his father in order to ensure his own longevity. In this way, Debra ends up getting what she wanted and Dexter finally faces his own death, even if it doesn’t necessarily make for the most successful and powerful finale of his character.
Dexter’s New Prequel Show Can Finally Bring An End To An 18-Year-Old Dexter & Harry Morgan Debate
The relationship between Dexter and Harry Morgan will be a key dynamic in Dexter: Original Sin that will shed new light on his dark passenger origins.
Jennifer Carpenter’s Compelling Performance Made Debra A Fan-Favorite (Which Is Why Her Ending Hurt So Bad)
Debra didn’t get the ending she deserved in the original series
Debra was a loud-mouthed yet no-nonsense foil to Dexter’s reserved and even awkward charm at times, which made her a fan-favorite character.Killing her off in the season 8 finale was one of the biggest sources of controversy for the original series, both because she was a beloved character and because it didn’t feel like an authentic resolution for her character. While there is some poetic justice in having Debra become Dexter’s final kill before he attempts to end his own life, Debra deserved more than what she got in the season 8 finale. Bringing her back inDexter: New Bloodwas one of the best things that the sequel series got right.
Dexter: New Blood
Cast
Set a decade after his disappearance, Dexter: New Blood follows Dexter Morgan living under a new identity in Iron Lake, New York. Despite his attempts to embrace a peaceful life, unforeseen events in the tight-knit community reignite his Dark Passenger, challenging his efforts to leave his past behind.
