Plus, cast members and Clyde Phillips share their thoughts on Gibson's portrayal of Dexter.
Dexter: Original Sin is making its highly anticipated return this Friday, dropping not one, but two brand-new episodes: "Kid in a Candy Store" and "Miami Vice."
In a recent interview with TVLine, the cast and crew of the Dexter prequel—including Alex Shimizu, James Martinez, and showrunner Clyde Phillips—shared insights into the creative process, particularly around casting Patrick Gibson as the young Dexter Morgan.
Patrick Gibson on Stepping into Dexter's Shoes
Gibson opened up about the challenge and honor of stepping into such an iconic role:
"When I first saw the email about Dexter: Original Sin, I was like, ‘Whoa, they’re doing this?’ But when I saw Clyde’s name, the original team, and Michael’s involvement, I knew it was being done for the right reasons.
"After getting the role, I dove headfirst into the show. I watched Dexter non-stop to find the balance between bringing my own elements to the character and honoring what Michael C. Hall created. The continuity between young Dexter and the Dexter we meet in Season 1 was crucial. Having Michael’s inner monologue in the show also helped me stay connected to the character’s essence.
"As the series progresses, you’ll see Dexter evolve into the version we know—developing his persona and figuring out his life. It’s been an incredible journey, and I can’t wait for fans to see it unfold."
Clyde Phillips on Casting Patrick Gibson
The showrunner revealed some fascinating behind-the-scenes details about how Gibson landed the iconic role:
"First of all, we have our casting directors—John Papsidera, who worked on all the Yellowstone shows, and Kim Winter, his associate. They searched the world. Patrick kept standing out in the audition tapes—he had the look, the talent, and an undeniable presence. But tracking him down was an adventure.
"We knew he was Irish, and we were told he was in England. We spent tens of thousands of dollars rushing visas and paperwork, only to find out he was half a mile away from me in Los Angeles. So, we brought him into the studio. I spent about an hour just chatting with him, and I was instantly impressed by his personality, energy, and talent.
"We put him in the conference room with Michael Lehmann, our directing executive producer, who worked with him before bringing me in to see him perform. There was no second choice—Patrick was it. Mark my words, this guy’s a star. Watch out."
James Martinez (Young Batista) on Collaborating with Gibson
James Martinez, who plays a young Angel Batista, shared his experience working alongside Patrick Gibson:
"The first thing I did when we met was grab him and say, ‘How are we doing this? What’s your process? Help me out, man!’ This role comes with so much pressure, and I needed to make sure we were on the same page.
"Patrick was incredible—he told me, ‘I’m with you, brother. We’re in this together.’ During our lunch breaks, we’d exchange ideas, share our approaches, and figure out how to channel our characters. For me, it was about finding the right angles to emulate Angel—catching the light just right or adjusting my hat to match his iconic look. Patrick would listen to Michael C. Hall’s voice on a loop through earbuds on his way to work to get into character, while I’d listen to salsa music and dance to embody Angel’s vibe. We had our own methods, but we always supported each other."
Alex Shimizu (Young Masuka) on Patrick Gibson
Alex Shimizu, who portrays a young Vince Masuka, praised Gibson for his leadership and camaraderie on set:
"Paddy’s the sweetest guy ever and such a great leader. As the lead, you really set the tone, and he was always so generous and kind to everyone. We even dressed up for Halloween together on set! We made custom jerseys—he was ‘Blood,’ and I was ‘Jizz.’ It was hilarious. He’s always down for a good time, and beyond that, he’s an amazing actor."