Exec. Producer Sara Colleton On What Is Season 7 About and Much More [Spoilery Interview]

Executive Producer Sara Colleton talks Dexter Season 7 on TVGuide.com, in a very very interesting interview. It looks like it's going to be a great season! [Warning: This story contains major spoilers from the upcoming season of Dexter. Read at your own risk.]

Via TVGuide.com: Dexter is in trooooouble! When Dexter returns for its seventh — and penultimate — season, both viewers and their favorite serial-killing blood spatter analyst will discover just what happens when his secret is revealed.

The last we saw of Dexter (Michael C. Hall), he had finally delivered his own biblical form of vengeance upon Travis (Colin Hanks), who had left Miami in fear over where the Doomsday Killer would strike next. He had also kidnapped Dexter's son Harrison, which finally hit a nerve with the often emotionless Dexter, who then stuck it to Travis — literally — in the closing moments of the finale. Unfortunately, Dexter wasn't alone in that church, with Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) planning to profess her love to her brother before walking in on him driving a knife into Travis.

Clearly, Deb's reaction will be Dexter's greatest obstacle this season as he's faced with someone finally taking off his mask. But his sister isn't the only person Dexter will have to worry about when evidence at the church suggests the Bay Harbor Butcher is back. Considering Dexter framed Doakes (Erik King) for that, even Deb may not be able to protect him.

TVGuide.com turned to executive producer Sara Colleton to get the scoop on the seventh season, including Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski's killer new role and saying goodbye to Dexter after Season 8. Read the whole interview after the jump...




Since the season is picking up right where we left off, just how many curse words will Deb use when the show returns?
Sara Colleton: [Laughs] It rocks her world so there are a few classic Deb-isms. If the series-long quest for Dexter was to finally have someone who really knows him — well, be careful what you wish for because Deb now knows everything and that's a game-changer.

If last season was about finding faith for Dexter, what is this season about?
Colleton: It is about things he's never experienced before, which are regret, responsibility, shame, betrayal, all of those things. Also, it's the flip side of wanting to be known, and then once you are known, there's a loss of freedom. It comes with heavy responsibility, so he's dealing with a lot of emotions that he's never had before, and never been allowed to feel before or allowed himself to feel before.

Deb only saw Dexter kill Travis on the table, but will she learn everything this season?
Colleton: Yeah. Obviously this whole season we're going to have great fun playing with every permutation that can be played between Debra and Dexter in their relationship now that this information has come out. She was on her way to the church at the end of the last season because she had come to realize that she not only loved her foster brother Dexter but she is in love with him. So now what does she do? Does she turn him into the police? Is she repulsed by him? Can she continue to love him? Does she feel an odd relief that finally she understands some fundamental part of him that always felt elusive? Dexter was always elusive and Debra always thought it was because of her, and now she knows it wasn't about her, it was about him really protecting her.

But she is the head of the homicide division and so it has to really affect her sense of justice and the whole system. It's a really challenging year for her to juggle. And Dexter, of course, his world is equally rocked. He's never had to deal with these kinds of emotions — regret, guilt, a sense of having let Deb down and also, obviously, the gnawing suspicion that at any time, she could have him arrested.

Given what Deb learns about Dexter, how will that change her sudden revelation that she has feelings for him?
Colleton: It will be explored. It has to explored, because one doesn't come to a realization like that and then completely change. But obviously what she learns is going to affect it, so all of the things that have been the bedrock of Deb's life get moved around. That's part of what we hope will be fascinating for our fans, is to watch and see how we play out all of those various interpretations.

Will we see a vulnerable side to Dexter this season?
Colleton: Oh, yes. It is like Superman's cape has been taken off. He's extremely vulnerable and that is very interesting to see and to explore.

Is there a sense of relief knowing if he'd let anyone in like he did with Lumen (Julia Stiles), he'd want it to be Deb?
Colleton: I think that's part of it because [the relationship with] Lumen was certainly almost like acting out for his guilt in Rita's (Julie Benz) death. But Deb has been the rock in his life from the time he was taken in by Harry. I always go back to one of the very first scenes in the pilot when he goes, "Oh that's my foul-mouthed sister Deb and if I could love anyone it would be Deb." They have had an incredible closeness. So that, in some ways, is a relief, but it comes with a whole new set of responsibilities.

Speaking of Harry (James Remar), he's always helped Dexter with his Dark Passenger, but now that Dexter's issues involve Debra, how will his advice to Dexter differ from what we've seen before?
Colleton: It's very upsetting to Harry. For Deb, she's always suffered from feeling like Daddy's second best. She realizes now, too, that this was never her being second best. She will learn all about Harry training Dexter and that is another thing that is going to rock her world. Again, in the pilot, when Harry tells Dexter that people deserve to die, and [in Season 5], when Deb hated Jordan Chase (Jonny Lee Miller) and she says, "Maybe there are people who deserve to die." It's a very complicated year on that level. We're really enjoying exploring all of these things because now it's all out in the open.

What other obstacles will Dexter face because of Deb's discovery?
Colleton: There are other complications that will come in because, at the crime scene, Dexter's blood slide gets found by Lieutenant LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) because he loses it in the chaos that ensues and she immediately recognizes it's his. The only other time that she had seen this blood slide was in the copy case of the Bay Harbor Butcher. Her dear friend Sergeant Doakes, everyone thought he was the Bay Harbor Butcher, and thought that when he died, the Bay Harbor Butcher died with him. Now, she begins to suspect, "Is the Bay Harbor Butcher still alive and how can I set about proving the innocence of my friend Sergeant Doakes?" That is something that's a silent thing at the start, but it's, again, going to be eventually working its way back to Dexter. It's going to be very interesting to see if she can exonerate him.

What can you tell us about the new castmembers?
Colleton: We have Ray Stevenson, who — oh my God — he is such a fantastic actor. He plays the head of a crime syndicate who owns many nightclubs in Miami. Jason Gedrick plays George, the U.S. manager of all of his clubs. Ray Stevenson's character, Isaac, comes to Miami when his very close personal lieutenant is accused of killing a Miami cop and then suddenly disappears. So Isaac wants to find out what happened to his friend and how he disappeared. The fact that it was a cop will bring them all around the Miami Metro police system. That is going to be a long story arc.

Also, we have Yvonne Strahovski. She is fantastic. She plays this woman named Hannah, who took off from this small rinky-dink Florida town and ran off with this older guy and they went on this wild killing spree. So when they got caught, she turned state's evidence on the boyfriend, he went to jail for life and she started a new life. Years later, she's in her 30s and she will intersect with Dexter. I would say Hannah is a still water that runs very deep and is quite unlike any woman Dexter has ever known.

How does Hannah compare to Lumen? And is there a possibility of a romance transpiring between Dexter and Hannah?
Colleton: There's always the possibility. Whenever there's a man and a woman, there's always that possibility — or a man and a man or a woman and a woman or any configuration. There's nothing needy about Hannah. Every woman that Dexter's ever come to either the rescue of or been involved with have been incredibly needy. Lila (Jaime Murray) was one of those borderline women who other women take a look at and say, "Stay away!" but men can never resist them. You just know that they are bad news. Rita was damaged goods just like Dexter. And Lumen, when she appeared in his life, she was severely damaged. Hannah has a cool aloofness, but there's something about her that will intrigue him.

Since the show has been renewed for two more seasons, is this definitely the end?
Colleton: This was definite. We wanted to end it this year, but the network convinced us that it would be best to do it in two years. In some ways, this is a two-season series-ender. We have worked that out and know where it's going to end. Next year will definitely be the last year of Dexter. Absolutely.

Are you guys ready to say goodbye to Dexter?
Colleton: From the very beginning, when I first started developing the pilot, I always knew it would be a seven-year arc for this series. I feel easily that we can be an eight-year show, but I never want it to get old and stale. I want us to go out on a high and everybody on the show is determined to keep the level of it up to the very end. It's always wise to know when it's time to leave the stage before you're asked to leave the stage.

Do you think Dexter has to die at the end?
Colleton: [Laughs] I would never answer that question.

Do you know what the final scene is?
Colleton: We don't know what the final scene is, but we know where it's going. We know now exactly how it's going to end and how the series will end.

Are you excited?

Post a Comment

  1. NeedlestickinghedonistJune 26, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    awesome interview.

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  2. Really excited about the 7th season. I love the part with LaGuerta and the blood slide! Bring it on!!!!!!!!

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  3. Really excited about the Doakes part. That has me really amped to get this season under way. Far too long they've swept past events under the rug on this series. It's about time all the pieces start to come together.

    Can we get a Doakes ghost sighting? That would be amazing. My favorite scene in all of Dexter is when Doakes and Dexter are in the cabin and Dexter tells Doakes that he enjoyed their talks and they bond for a split second. That season was just the pinnacle of tv making.

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    1. Best season of Dexter? Yes. And it was fantastic. Pinnacle of TV Making, however? Nope. That honor pretty much goes to the entirety of The Wire.

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    2. I can't argue that. The Wire is amazing. But Season 2 of Dexter is my favorite season of any show ever.

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  4. Dexter does not clean up the crime scene and LaGuerta finds out the BHB is still out there? Come on, seriously?

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    1. Uh, you don't know what happens in the scene and why or how. Dexter was/is probably a bit distracted ya know. Deb just caught him.

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  5. OMG!!!! LAGUERTA WILL BE SUSPECTING DEXTER??? WOW I GUESS LAGUERTA IS GONNA DIE THIS SEASON!!!

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    1. DIE BITCH, DIE! :D
      Maria LaGuerta is a snake in the grass ^^

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    2. She might, but then again, she might not. It may still be too big a leap for her. I mean, if she can't come to terms with the idea of Doakes as the BHB, why should she suspect Dexter? She had hots for him for some time, and even then, it felt to me that she was behaving quite a bit friendlier than you'd expect from a boss. I'd say she would have to find some further evidence to implicate Dexter, of all people. As viewers, we're in a privileged position to know the truth, but the same "who else than Dexter could it be>" does not apply to her. Miami is quite large, after all.

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  6. Perfect. Just Peeeeerfect!! LaGuerta will find out! the bay harbor butcher case will be back!! Love the writers!

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  7. Sounds awesome so far! I loved the part in season 2 where Doakes escaped from the cabin and then he and Dexter worked together to take out those 2 drug collectors. Brilliant moment between the 2. Hyped for SS7!

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  8. The ingredients for the finale of the series are excellent, and the "chefs" know exactly how to cook it... It will be an excellent lunch! I have the mouth watering! Bon appetit!

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  9. I hated Doakes, and can't stand LaGuerta. I love the series though. Move past the past seasons, let dead dogs alone and give the show the "pop" it deserves!

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  10. Deb would want those honors of killing LaGuerta lol



    It says she begins to suspect but I don't think it'll turn into some full blown investigation though. They'll cover it up or dodge it somehow. Unless this is the beginning of the end and how they're leading towards ending it.

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    1. Dexter won't leave Travis in the church so won't be any real evidence.

      LaGuerta will investigate this on her own. Like Doakes, or Quinn, or Liddy... wait, that means she might get killed. Great :) :)

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    2. Oh, yeah oh course. I don't think they'll leave him. Unless they find a way to do it where it helps Deb as LT.

      This is true. She can just do it on her own and yeah hopefully haha.

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  11. where is the APRIL FOOLS? How on earth could Colleton drop all these bombs? Interesting to see how this could play

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  12. This Season is going to be Epic!!!

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  13. "Ray Stevenson's character, Isaac, comes to Miami when his very close personal lieutenant is accused of killing a Miami cop and then suddenly disappears. So Isaac wants to find out what happened to his friend and how he disappeared."


    So we can gather from previous spoilers that the Miami cop that is killed is Mike Anderson.

    As for his disappearance... who's gonna bet that Louis is responsible? It could be the first chapter of his Bay Harbor Butcher tribute act..

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    1. 12:53

      Aha! Someone got there before me. Brilliant, yea everyone here is just assuming it's Dexter, but what about Louis?

      If this whole investigation is re-opened things kick up to that level, we just can't have Dexter get discovered and go to jail for season 8, that would be BORING, and of course... Dexter on the run? No thanks - one "The Fugitive" is enough, and he couldn't continue to be "Dexter" on the run. So my guess is that Louis would take the fall, and everyone except LaGuerta would be fooled.

      Also... It won't be Dexter that kills LaGuerta, in the book it was technically Deb who got Maria killed, because she was going to shoot Dexter and Deb warned Dexter and Brian and Brian jumped up at knifed her to death. It would only be fitting that show Debra is forced to make the same decision, she will kill Maria to protect Dex, and Dex will "reward" her.

      Just throwing darts on the wall. ;)

      Z

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    2. The last person who was in love with Dexter and killed a cop to protect him was Lila. And we all know how he "rewarded" her.

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    3. 3:01

      Dexter will never kill Deb. Period. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

      K?

      Thanks for driving through.

      Z

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  14. Perhaps this explains the title of the second episode "Shadow Knows". Refers to Laguerta?

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  15. Jeeeez!
    I know everything about the seventh.
    I'm waiting for the 8th! LOL!

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  16. Everyone kind of expect LaGuerta to die with this spoiler. And by Debra's hand. it would mirror the book apparently but it's a bit obvious, for me at least. I do hope the writers choose another route. It would be quite amazing if LaGuerta does succed in her investigation (where everybody else has failed) and expose Dexter for what he truly is. Forcing him (and Debra and little harry) on the run. The whole 8 season could be Miami metro giving chase. That would be epic. And a nice way to change the formula. Just thinking out loud

    Cain

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    1. Uggggggh don't like that one bit

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    2. lol, that's okay. I'm not really sure I do either. Because I don't want Dexter to be caught.... but well, it would be surprising and quite the change. More than seeing LaGuerta (another cop) die while investigating Dexter... like Doakes and Liddy.

      It's all about the execution I guess. They could make it work and work well, I'm not worried about that. And it sure would have an impact on Dexter and Deb (LaGuerta dying because of them) but perhaps like I said a bit too repetitive.

      I don't know... I just would really like to see the writers completely get out of their comfort zone. which ok, they already kind of did last season with the big reveal.


      Cain

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  17. Seriously crazy number of spoilers from Sara Colleton. What gives? Dexter Season 7's premiere was going to record insane ratings anyway, so why so many freebies.

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    1. Comic Con is coming up, and they probably don't want to be inundated with the same crazy questions "Is Deb going to know, is she REALLY going to know, is she still going to love him, is it all a dream? et"

      By laying it out they get right to the point and can field the good questions.

      Sarah has always been a strong voice on this show, in some ways the show feels like "hers" just as much as it has any of the showrunners. She even came up with the damn fight scene between Dexter and Doakes in S1, and she was the first producer/writer to ever spill the beans or suggest there was more than just brother/sister feelings between Dex&Deb - she teased it publicly after season 4, and I have no doubt she was one of the driving forces for Deb finally realizing those feelings in S6.

      Z

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    2. My guess is they WILL be inundated with the crazy questions. I get the feeling it's going to be quite rough and uncomfortable for MCH and JC this year.

      Cain

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    3. couldn't have said it better myself ..agreed 100 hundred percent

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    4. There were lots of spoilers in the season 5 Comi-Con trailer and still the main story wasn't mentioned. So just because they give us so many spoilers that doesn't mean that we really know what will happen in season 7.

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  18. I've always had a sneaking suspicion that Captain Matthews has always known about Dexter. If Deb gets close to discovering his encounter with the hooker, things could get ugly...

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    1. Which hooker? The one he told her about?

      And why should he know?

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    2. My bad on the hooker... I forgot she already knew...

      But Matthews knew Dexter's father. He knew that Harry committed suicide. He knew that the ITK was Dexter's brother. He was the only one that knew about Lila calling in the tip that Dexter was the BHB. Why would Captain Matthews himself take up the tip instead of just handing it down to the next guy?

      I don't know... just a feeling... probably not true but it would be cool...

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    3. He received a phonecall from someone who said he had information, but this person never showed up. Why should he remember that so many years later.

      I think Matthews is no longer part of the show.

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  19. 3 more months...

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  20. LaGuerta's belief that Doakes wasn't the BHB has been a hanging thread since the end of season two. I'm glad to see they're bringing it in again. It's logical and ties things up. While I don't see Dexter's having LaG on the table, I think her own incompetence may slow things down.

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  21. I SHOULDN'T HAVE READ THIS.. :'(

    :'( ...

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  22. @Mona_EQUADOR I AGREE, I am going to stop reading MAJOR spoilers

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  23. Let's all be surprised, OK? Who REALLY wants to know what happens before it is aired. It's like reading the last page of the book and know who was killed, in what room, with what instrument. We can all speculate, but unless we have an inside person, we really don't know. In any case, the show will go on, with the ending of all endings of both seasons. I have all 6 seasons now with season 7 on back order and will do the same for season 8 and then I can watch from beginning to end how many times I want and NEVER get tired of Michael C. Hall face and perfect body and yes my husband knows I'm in love with DEXTER>>>>>>>>>>>

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  24. Showtimes ratings will go out the roof on 9-30-12 @ 9 p.m. I usually tape everything, but the first one I'm gonna watch. You go DEXTER !!!!!!!!!

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