“It’s like he’s possessed by the spirit of Dexter at times,” Slater said, referring to Patrick Gibson.
Christian Slater, one of the first three actors announced for the cast of Dexter: Original Sin on May 23—the same day Showtime broke the news—recently opened up about his experience on the much-anticipated prequel.
With just 24 days remaining until the series premiere, the acclaimed actor sat down with Zhanna Slor from Remind Magazine to discuss Dexter: Original Sin. Slater, who has never hidden his excitement about joining the Dexter franchise, shared insights into his role as Harry, his experience working with the cast, and more.
Christian Slater on Joining Dexter: Original Sin as Harry Morgan
"Well, it was a complete surprise to hear that they were doing an origin story of Dexter, and to get the opportunity to be a part of this universe sounded like a lot of fun. I thought Harry was a great character and certainly deserved to be examined a little bit more. I wanted to know a little bit more about his past. He was only in flashbacks; he was like a ghost. I felt like this was a worthy story to tell, and a very exciting character to play.
It’s the same writers, so of course there are [similar] aspects, and there are certain scenes that were in the original show that we have recreated; but also, at the same time, our director, Michael Lehmann, describes it like a James Bond-type situation. It’s got all the Dexter-ness to it, but it’s also our own thing at the same time."
On the 1990s Setting
"It’s funny, the size of the computers that we have at our desks is hilarious, and the old phones, and having to explain those things to the kids here has been quite interesting."
On Director Michael Lehmann and Co-star Patrick Dempsey
"I hadn’t seen Michael in a long time, and to get to reconnect in this way is fantastic. It’s just been great. We’ve done 10 episodes and it’s been wonderful working together again. The writing has been really interesting, and to work also with Patrick Dempsey, who’s another guy I haven’t seen in about 30 years [has been great]."
On Sarah Michelle Gellar, His Co-star in Original Sin
"Sarah Michelle Gellar is probably the sweetest person on the planet earth. I mean, she is so great, so nice, and all she likes to do is exchange baby pictures. Today she just brought in homemade cookies for everyone that all have pictures of our characters from the show. We’re coming to the end. So everybody’s starting to bring in their gifts from home. She’s just lovely, warm, generous, the sweetest, loveliest person you could possibly imagine.
We have people on the crew that wear the Buffy shirts, and they’re pretty excited. As am I, I mean, I think she’s great. I’m gushing a lot, but I genuinely feel that."
On Paddy Gibson as Dexter and Their On-set Dynamic
"Patrick Gibson is wonderful as Dexter. It’s not an imitation, it’s his own thing, but it’s a wonderful representation of the character. There have been moments where I have looked up at Gibson and thought, ‘Oh my God.’ It’s like he’s at times possessed with the spirit of Dexter.
My relationship with Patrick while making the show has been just fantastic. I mean, he’s just a real guy’s guy, and it’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a lot of fun. You make these kind of shows that are dark and gory, and this is sort of how it was on Heathers too, you spend a lot of time laughing in between the takes because it’s just so hilarious and so crazy.
When you’re doing these kinds of darker shows, you really do have to find the humor as you’re making it. I find those particular moments to be rather funny. I find that even when I get scared, I don’t scream, I laugh. I’m more of a laugher when I get scared."
Source: Remind Magazine