What are the showrunner's thoughts on fan theories regarding the Big Bad?
Dexter: Original Sin has officially passed the halfway point of its first season, with tension rising as we approach the finale titled "Code Blues." However, fans will have to wait a bit longer, as the show will take its first-ever one-week hiatus in the history of the Dexter franchise. Episode 7 of the prequel series will air on Friday, January 24, instead of the 17th.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Clyde Phillips, showrunner of Dexter Seasons 1–4, Dexter: New Blood, and Dexter: Original Sin, shared insights about the current state of the prequel, fan theories, and the many Easter eggs woven into the storyline. Here's what he had to say.
On Casting and Building the Atmosphere
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Phillips said. “This is the only time in my career I’ve been able to say this, but I got all my first choices for this extraordinary cast. They’ve bonded together and created such a warm, kind set, even as the show gets darker and darker — which it does.”
Why "Prequelizing" Dexter's Early Days Was the Right Move
Phillips embraced the concept of exploring Dexter’s formative years, coining the term "prequelizing."
“When you watched the OG Dexter, he was fully formed,” Phillips explained. “He killed someone within the first few minutes and knew exactly what to do with the body. But here, you see mistakes, and those mistakes lead to cliffhangers and drama.”
He continued: “For example, Dexter’s blunders with the dumping ground and taking trophies — like the nurse’s earrings, which Deb ends up finding — give Harry opportunities to mold, scold, and influence him.”
On the Iconic Scene with Harry on Dexter's Kill Table
One of the most talked-about moments in Episode 5 was Harry wrapped in plastic on Dexter's kill table.
“In the writers’ room, we use an NPO board: no particular order. It’s for scenes we’d like to see. This was one of the first ideas that went up, and we knew it was important and iconic,” Phillips said. “Dexter proves his capability by taking down his own father, a homicide cop, essentially saying: ‘See? I know what I’m doing.’”
Easter Eggs: The Ice Truck Killer and More
Phillips confirmed fans' suspicions about the Ice Truck Killer Easter egg in Episode 6.
“You caught that? Great! We didn’t even do a close-up — it was just there. It looks like the same ice truck, too. I’m thrilled people noticed,” he said.
“This season’s a whole Easter egg hunt. The internet’s buzzing about what we’re putting in and why. It’s a period piece within a period piece, spanning the ’90s and the ’70s, with Harry’s storyline. We’ve had so much fun with the details — wall phones, the first car phone — it’s been a blast watching fans catch these nods.”
Harry and Laura Moser’s Backstory
The series delves deep into Harry’s tragic past, revealing a side of him we’ve never seen before.
“When you watched the first episode of Original Sin, nobody knew that Harry had lost his son in a drowning accident. That event shaped him, his marriage, and his need to adopt Dexter,” Phillips shared. “It’s a simple moment that fundamentally changed everything about Harry’s personality and his relationship with Dexter.”
Balancing Legacy Characters and New Faces
Phillips discussed how the series incorporates familiar characters like Batista while introducing newcomers like Captain Spencer (played by Patrick Dempsey) and others.
“What’s interesting is that fans are already theorizing about Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character or Patrick Dempsey’s. They’re guessing who might die or even be the bad guy since they’re not part of the original canon,” Phillips noted.
“But that’s the beauty of this origin story. Some characters will survive; others won’t. It’s a great ride, and fans should strap in.”
With Dexter: Original Sin ramping up the stakes and plenty of mysteries still unfolding, fans are in for a wild ride leading to the finale. Stay tuned here at Dexter Daily for all the latest updates for both the prequel, and Dexter: Resurrection!