Fans of the Showtime series Dexter were delighted when the development of a prequel series was announced, along with news that it’s coming by the end of 2024. Following the early life of a younger Dexter Morgan, played by Patrick Gibson, it seems unlikely that Michael C. Hall, who plays the character in the original series, could appear in the show.
Then again, he will star in another spin-off called Dexter: Resurrection, as announced at San Diego ComicCon, despite presumably being killed in the continuation miniseries Dexter: New Blood. So, anything can happen. Thus, fans are curious to know if Hall will have any involvement in Dexter: Original Sin. The good news is that yes, he will indeed be part of the show in a very fitting way.
Michael C. Hall Will Have a Role (Sort Of)
Dexter: Original Sin will tell the origin story of how Dexter Morgan became a vigilante serial killer. Fans of the original know that Dexter’s father Harry, played in flashbacks by James Remar, discovered Dexter’s murderous behavior towards animals and realized there was something seriously wrong with his son. From there, he helped Dexter develop The Code.
The younger version of Dexter will be played by Patrick Gibson, but Hall will be providing the inner voice, as he did in the original for his own on-screen character. Given how pivotal the inner monologue of Dexter’s thoughts was to the original series, Hall voicing his younger self is fitting. It’s how Hall will be a big part of the show even if he’ll never be seen on screen. In the trailer, fans can already hear Hall narrating. “They say it takes a village to raise a killer,” he says.
Hall is credited as “the inner voice of Dexter” for the series. On the show’s IMDb page, he’s listed as “Narrator.” Thus, there will be a sense of familiarity. Dexter’s inner voice, after all, was like a separate character in itself. The Dexter everyone interacted with on the show was very different from the person fans heard speak when he indicated what he was really thinking. With Hall’s involvement, it will be even more convincing that the young man on screen is a younger version of the character fans have weirdly come to love.
What Fans Expect to See in the Show
The series begins as Dexter starts his forensics internship at Miami Metro PD. While there, he meets the younger versions of many of the characters who appear in the original. Dexter: Original Sin will focus on Dexter Morgan, but fans also expect to see a lot of Harry and the story from his perspective. As a detective, Harry was dealing with situations at work that made his blood boil, including guilty people going free because of failures in the justice system or lack of proof to secure a conviction. When he discovered what his son was doing, and knew what that meant for the future, he found a clever way to redirect his son’s murderous urges, which Dexter called his Dark Passenger.
But eventually, the reality of the situation became too much for Harry, especially when he saw how nonchalant Dexter was about conducting his ritualistic acts, even enjoying them. Fans know from Dexter that Harry committed suicide once he could no longer live with what his son was doing, and the part he played in it. What Harry went through psychologically will likely play heavily into this show, a side that fans never got to see of the character who only ever appeared in flashbacks and as Dexter’s visions.
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Who Will Star in Dexter: Original Sin?
Along with Gibson as young Dexter Morgan, known for roles in The Tudors, The OA, Shadow and Bone, and Tolkien, Dexter: Original Sin has a star-studded cast.
- Christian Slater, a veteran actor who has been in the business since the ‘80s, will play Harry. Some of Slater’s most defining roles include Heathers, Young Guns II, and True Romance. His most notable recent role was as an inner voice of sorts in the USA Network series Mr. Robot.
- A young version of Dexter’s sister Debra, originally played by Jennifer Carpenter, will be played by Molly Brown, a relative newcomer whose first TV series role was in 2012. She may be most recognizable as Leslie in the series Evil. Some may recall her as Liz Prince, daughter of Mike Prince, in Billions as well.
- Maria LaGuerta, who was portrayed by Luna Lauren Velez in the original, will be played by Christina Milian here. Starting her career as a singer, Milian has starred in movies like Love Don’t Cost a Thing, Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, and the short-lived sitcom Grandfathered. Angel Batista, originally played by David Zayas, will be played by James Martinez. Fans will recognize Martinez from House of Cards, One Day at a Time, and Love, Victor.
- Vince Masuka, Dexter’s eccentric colleague who was played by C.S. Lee, will be played by Alex Shimizu. His most notable role was as Tadashi Ito in The Blacklist, but Shimizu has had small roles in shows like Person of Interest, Community, and S.W.A.T.
- Sarah Michelle Gellar, best known as the title character in the iconic series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, plays a new character named Tanya Martin, who will be Dexter’s immediate boss throughout his internship.
- One of the latest to join the cast is Grey’s Anatomy’s Patrick Dempsey playing Captain Aaron Spencer, also a new character. Another new character will be Harry’s partner and friend Bobby Watt, played by Reno Wilson. Some of Wilson’s most memorable roles include in Mike & Molly, Good Girls, and as the voice of several characters in Transformers movies, including Frenzy, Mudflap, and Brains.
One character missing from the show is James Doakes, played by Erik King in Dexter. He had a pivotal role in the series as one of the first people close to Dexter who started to sense something was off. While Doakes was a good cop hunting a heinous killer, in the warped way the show was viewed, he was actually a primary antagonist, a villain who wouldn’t get off Dexter’s tail. It’s possible that since Doakes joined Miami Metro later on, he could appear in a subsequent season should the show be renewed.
When and Where Will Dexter: Original Sin Start Streaming?
Like the original series that aired for eight seasons from 2006 to 2013, Dexter: Original Sin will air on Showtime. But now that the streaming landscape dominates, it will also stream on Paramount+ with Showtime.
The series is set to premiere on Paramount+ with Showtime on Friday, December 13, 2024, just in time for the holiday season. The first episode will then air on Showtime for those subscribed to the linear network on Sunday, December 15, 2024. There will be 10 episodes in the first season.
Fans are excited to see how this new show shapes up and for a reigniting of the Dexter universe, which has effectively now become a franchise. While Dexter: New Blood was polarizing in how it attempted to right the wrongs of the universally panned Dexter series finale, Dexter: Original Sin has the chance to breathe new life into the most beloved serial killer character on television.
Stream Dexter on Paramount+. Dexter: Original Sin will air on Showtime and stream on Paramount+ with Showtime.