The actress who plays Brandy, Levi Reed's girlfriend, shared insights about her role.
After a brief one-week hiatus, Dexter: Original Sin is back this Friday with a brand-new episode that promises to keep fans riveted. According to a recent Instagram post by Christina Milian, who plays young Maria LaGuerta, this episode will have viewers on the edge of their seats.
Titled "The Big Bad Body Problem," the upcoming episode picks up right where the suspenseful events of "The Joy of Killing" left off. Dexter finds himself in an increasingly tight spot as the police uncover a body part belonging to Tony Ferrer—an unfortunate oversight by the alligators at Alligator Alley that could spell disaster for Dexter.
But that’s not all. This episode will also delve into the aftermath of Dexter’s latest kill, Levi Reed (Jeff Daniel Phillips). With Reed’s death marking Dexter's third, he officially crosses the line into serial killer territory.
In a recent interview with Bleeding Cool, Carlye Tamaren who portrayed Levi Reed's girlfriend, shared her experience playing Brandy, her process for stepping into the world of Dexter: Original Sin, and what it was like working with showrunner Clyde Phillips and the iconic Christian Slater.
On Landing the Role of Brandy
"I got an audition through my agent and sent in self-tapes. It was a standard process, but being part of a preexisting franchise like Dexter felt unique. There’s so much history and tone to consider. As a fan of the original show, I was already familiar with its world, which made stepping into it exciting."
Preparing to Play Brandy
"It was about staying true to the tone fans know while creating something entirely new. My character, Brandy, doesn’t have any ties to the original series’ characters, so I had to block out everything I knew and approach her with fresh eyes. Brandy’s perspective is very narrow, which made it easier to separate her world from the larger Dexter universe."
On Working with Clyde Phillips
"It’s amazing. Clyde’s passion for the show is clear, and everyone involved shares that same dedication. The attention to detail on set was incredible, but there was also so much joy. It created one of the most memorable experiences of my career."
Is Brandy Anything Like Carlye?
"Brandy is like a ‘feral’ version of me [laughs]. She’s wild—dabbling in drugs like meth and crack and living life on the edge. While I drew from my own personality, I also explored different facets to shape her chaotic but fun nature."
On Bonding with the Cast and Christian Slater
"My first day on set was wild—literally. Brandy was on a bender, so I showed up looking completely disheveled, with meth teeth and all. Despite the chaos, the cast was amazing. Christian Slater was especially welcoming and helped ease my nerves. Watching him work was like a masterclass in acting. The camaraderie on set was infectious, and the experience was nothing short of magical."