The star of Dexter: Original Sin had big shoes to fill, and so far, he’s doing an exceptional job.
Merry Christmas, everyone! We’re now three episodes into Dexter: Original Sin, the latest installment in the Dexter franchise, and the fan feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s not just about the show’s vibe, which undoubtedly brings back memories of the early seasons of the original series, but also the inspired casting choices for actors portraying younger versions of beloved characters.
The main protagonist of Dexter: Original Sin had some big shoes to fill, and he was clearly aware of the challenge from the start. Fans have long adored Michael C. Hall, who portrayed Dexter Morgan across nine seasons, with a tenth season slated for summer 2025. Paddy Gibson, who takes on the iconic role, faced significant expectations, but fans seem to love his performance and acting skills.
Following the red-carpet premiere of the series on December 11, Paddy Gibson appeared on the YouTube show "Kyle Meredith With..." via Zoom to discuss all things Dexter: Original Sin.
Below, we’ve highlighted the most important parts of the interview (with minor adjustments for clarity and coherence). If you’d like to watch the full interview, you’ll find it linked at the end of this article.
Patrick Gibson on Michael C. Hall
"I actually saw Michael [C. Hall] at our premiere last night. I've only met him a few times, but he's someone I’ve admired for years and hold in the highest regard. After the screening, he was incredibly kind and generous with his feedback. That moment made me feel a lot better, like, 'Okay, he's been nice. Now I can relax and be happy.' If my voice sounds a bit gone, it’s because I was shouting to my co-stars about how much I love them."
Patrick continued about Michael C. Hall:
"Last night, he mentioned how unusual and bizarre the acting challenge is. He was so gracious about it, which meant a lot. I've heard him say something that stuck with me—how rare it is to play a character and then see their history unfold in front of you. I think he genuinely takes pleasure in seeing the character evolve in a new light, and that’s such an interesting perspective."
Was Patrick a fan of the original Dexter series?
"I’d definitely seen the show before. When I got the audition, I immediately went back and started rewatching season one. I must’ve watched the pilot episode 15 times during rehearsals and auditions. It was helpful to focus on that, rather than trying to digest the entire series all at once. Watching Michael [C. Hall] in that first episode over and over became my entry point.
Once I started working, I went back and watched the whole show again. I’d seen the first four seasons years ago—probably when I was younger than I should’ve been. But I rewatched everything during filming. By the end, it was pretty all-consuming, so I definitely needed to watch or think about something else for a while afterward.
It’s rare to play a character with so much source material. Usually, if you’re portraying a real-life figure, you might have a few interviews or clips to study. With Dexter, there’s such a wealth of material, and Michael is so unique and idiosyncratic. Clyde [Phillips] and I, along with the directors, had a lot of conversations about how Dexter forms his persona over time."
Getting into the role of Young Dexter
"For me, it was about capturing an essence rather than doing an impression. I knew if it came across as just an imitation, it wouldn’t work—it would feel hollow. What I loved about Michael’s performance is how much of himself he brought to the character.
When you meet him, he’s obviously not a psychopath, but his mannerisms and quirks are so uniquely his own. I wanted to find a balance, bringing in some of my own personality to make the character feel authentic while honoring what Michael established.
Michael also shared something with me early on—a long email with his thoughts about the character over the years. One thing he mentioned that stuck with me was how relatable Dexter's mask is. For Dexter, every interaction has an element of pretense, a mask he wears to fit in. Michael pointed out that this isn’t purely psychopathic—it’s something we all do to some extent. That idea of a curated persona really shaped my approach."
Getting into Character and the Experience of Playing a Psychopath
"Yeah, it’s an interesting challenge. As an acting experience, it’s really unusual. On set, I constantly had to remind myself of the character’s mindset. For instance, if I was looking into Molly Brown’s eyes as she was on the verge of tears, pleading, ‘Why won’t you just listen to me?’, it would naturally feel deeply affecting.
As an actor, you’re trained to be open to those emotions, to let them move you. But in this role, I had to consistently remind myself that the character doesn’t feel that. Any emotion he shows is entirely calculated—a performance. He only displays emotion because he knows that’s what’s expected, not because he genuinely feels it. That detachment from natural responses was the strange part.
Over time, I actually found it easier to play the psychopath than the victim. The psychopath is in his element, almost relishing the darkness. People often think it must be heavy or emotionally draining to play such a role, but for the character, it’s almost like he’s having fun. On the other hand, for the victim, the experience is truly traumatic. When you’re the one holding the knife, you’re okay. It’s the person on the table who’s really suffering."
Gibson’s Mom Watching Dexter and Her Reaction
"The show exists in such an extreme world, which creates this strange mix of comedy and humanity amid all the madness. I remember my mom saying, after I got the role, that she started watching the show and finished it faster than I did—she binged it in three weeks.
She called me one day and said, 'I don’t know if I should be laughing at this. This guy is insane!' That’s part of the appeal, though—the absurdity of it all.
What’s fun about shooting Dexter is that it operates in a heightened reality. It’s not quite comic book-like, but you’re allowed to suspend disbelief. You don’t get bogged down by the logistics, like, ‘How did he get from point A to point B?’ You just go with it."
On the Casting of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Christian Slater
"I had no idea who else was attached to the project initially. When I went to the production office after arriving in L.A., I saw a picture of Christian Slater next to mine. I was like, 'Why is there a picture of Christian Slater here?' And they told me, 'Oh, that’s your dad in the show.'
Christian is such an incredible actor—someone I’ve admired since Heathers and True Romance. He showed up on set with the excitement and enthusiasm of someone who’d never been on a film set before, and that energy didn’t waver throughout the shoot. He brought so much positivity and generosity to everyone. He’s truly a legend."
Watch the whole interview below.