Just like many modern TV shows, the Dexter prequel will air in the 18:9 aspect ratio.
Dexter: Original Sin, the prequel series set 15 years before the original pilot episode, finally has an official release date. Along with the teaser trailer released early Thursday morning, we learned that the show will debut on Friday, December 13.
Another noteworthy detail from the teaser is that this new installment in the Dexter franchise will be presented in the 18:9 aspect ratio. Over the past decade, many shows have adopted this format, including Netflix's House of Cards and the more recent House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones.
For those unfamiliar, the 18:9 aspect ratio refers to the proportion of a screen's width to its height, creating a more elongated or "widescreen" format compared to the traditional 16:9 ratio used by most HDTVs and monitors. This format (sometimes expressed as 2:1) is often seen in modern smartphones and some streaming content, offering a more immersive viewing experience. It provides more vertical screen space and is particularly suited for cinematic content, mimicking the ultra-wide formats used in many films, thus reducing letterboxing (black bars at the top and bottom).
Let’s take a look at the aspect ratios used across all three Dexter series, with episodic screenshots.
Dexter (2006-2013) 16:9 aspect ratio
The original Dexter series aired in the now-standard 16:9 aspect ratio.
Dexter: New Blood (2021-2022) 21:9 aspect ratio
Dexter: Original Sin (2024-) 18:9 aspect ratio
