The young Debra Morgan actress discusses her role in the Dexter prequel.
With three episodes of Dexter: Original Sin now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime, fans have finally gotten a good look at young Debra Morgan, portrayed by Molly Brown. Initially, some fans were skeptical about her casting, citing concerns about her resemblance to Jennifer Carpenter’s iconic portrayal of Deb. However, those doubts have been put to rest, as Molly Brown’s performance has won over viewers. Her portrayal captures Deb’s essence through shared mannerisms, voice, and overall energy.
Fun fact: Molly Brown’s real-life brother Ryan, made a cameo as an extra in the series premiere of Dexter: Original Sin. He appeared in the scene where Deb asks someone to save an empty chair for Dexter before her volleyball match. Molly even shared a selfie she took with him between takes—check it out below!
In a recent interview with TVLine.com, Molly opened up about stepping into Deb’s shoes and shared insights into her experience on the show, including her favorite lines and memorable moments.
On her favorite lines:
"I don't know if I can say my favorite lines for you right now—the rep would bleep it. Okay, well, f---osaurus rex is a pretty good one. My favorite. Paddy's favorite is when I call him a jizzbot. Yeah, at one point."
On playing a younger Deb:
"The wonderful thing about playing Deb is that who she is—her essence—is still there. Like, who you are at your core doesn’t change, but I think we see a different version of her. For instance, I’m very different now than I was in high school—I dress better and I’m much happier."
"The great thing about playing Deb is that she’s still Deb, but her goals and priorities are different. At this point in her life, she’s focused on volleyball and wants to pursue a scholarship. She’s figuring out her passion and where she fits in the world. There’s so much room for her to grow this season."
On Deb’s relationship with Dexter:
"That’s my favorite part of the show—the dynamic between Deb and Dexter. In the original series, Dexter knows how to put on the façade of being a good brother. But here, he’s constantly messing up. Their relationship feels raw and unpolished, which makes it so compelling."
On feeling left out of the father-son bond:
"Deb reacts in rebellion, as many teenagers do. Throughout the show, you see her engaging in behaviors that adult Deb—the cop version—would never approve of. There are times on set when I’ll leave a scene, and they’ll say ‘cut,’ and I’ll see the two of them [other cast members] laughing together. I’m like, ‘Hey, what’s so funny?’ It’s very much the vibe of Deb feeling on the outs sometimes."
On what drives Deb:
"At the end of the day, what Deb really wants is to be understood by her family. Maybe that’s why she eventually becomes a cop—to bridge that gap and find her place within her family dynamic."
Watch her interview alongside Christian Slater below.