The Dexter prequel appears to lack vibrancy in its visuals.
It has been one month since Showtime unveiled the first official look at Dexter: Original Sin, the highly anticipated prequel set about 15 years before the events of the original series. The new show will once again feature Michael C. Hall as Dexter, lending his voice for the character’s signature inner monologues.
The teaser trailer, which we analyzed extensively shortly after its release, offered brand-new glimpses of the series, showcasing footage of almost every major character. While the trailer has successfully piqued viewers' interest, fans have noticed a significant difference between Dexter: Original Sin and the original show: the absence of vibrant colors.
Shows and movies set in Miami typically use bright, saturated hues to capture the sunny, vibrant feel of Florida. The original Dexter series, which aired from 2006 to 2013, was no exception, with high saturation and vivid color levels that enhanced its summer vibe.
Below, you can see a few examples of this from unedited episodic screenshots of the second season of Dexter:
Now, for comparison, let's take a look at some unedited screenshots from the most recent Dexter: Original Sin teaser trailer:
The color temperature and saturation in Dexter: Original Sin appear to be somewhere in between, leaning closer to Dexter: New Blood (which was set in a cold, snowy environment) rather than the vibrant tones of the original Dexter series.
Unedited screenshots from Dexter: New Blood:
Here’s another example of the differences between Dexter: Original Sin and the original Dexter, this time featuring the same characters in the same location. Both sets of (once again) unedited footage were captured during the daytime:
However, this difference does not seem to extend to the opening sequence of Dexter: Original Sin; when comparing the intros, the variations in color temperature are less pronounced.
So, why did the producers decide to alter the color palette for the upcoming Dexter prequel? One reason could be that, since the series is set in the past, they wanted to create a visual distinction from the original Dexter. However, for a Miami-based show known for its vibrant, colorful aesthetic, this shift might be jarring for viewers, especially for a series that aims to evoke nostalgia for the original eight-season run.
Original vs. Saturated: You decide!
We took some footage from Dexter: Original Sin and enhanced the colors to make it feel more like the original show, set in vibrant Miami. Check out the edits and see for yourself which version you prefer!
We’re just two months away from the premiere of Dexter: Original Sin, with the first episode titled "Original Sin."
The series opener is written by showrunner Clyde Phillips and directed by Michael Lehmann.
This article highlights aspects that may not meet the expectations of longtime Dexter fans. However, we are confident that Showtime, along with the cast, crew, and producers, are giving their all to deliver an incredible result!