These five characters are strong candidates for a return in the Dexter sequel.
If you’ve been following Dexter for years—or even just binged it recently—then you know this show has a unique relationship with the dead. No, it’s not full of zombies or spirits, but Dexter has always had a clever way of bringing the past back to life. Not with tired flashbacks or cliché dream sequences, but by turning lost loved ones and old enemies into vivid pieces of Dexter’s inner world.
That all started in earnest with the late Harry Morgan, Dexter’s adoptive father. Introduced as Dexter’s moral compass, Harry’s presence became a staple of the show beginning in Season 3. James Remar, who portrayed him, stuck around as Dexter’s ghostly conscience all the way through the series' original 2013 finale.
Now, almost two decades after the show first premiered—yes, 19 years—Dexter is coming back. And so is Harry.
Showtime has officially confirmed that James Remar is returning for Dexter: Resurrection, continuing his role as Dexter’s ever-present, haunting inner voice. For long-time fans, it’s a powerful nod to the show’s roots—and a reminder that no matter how far Dexter runs, his past is never far behind.
No Debra This Time
Not all familiar faces are returning, though. Fans hoping to see Jennifer Carpenter back as Debra Morgan will be disappointed—she’s officially opted out of Dexter: Resurrection. While she did make a memorable return in Dexter: New Blood, Carpenter has made it clear her time with the franchise has come to an end.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially since Debra became such a major emotional force in Dexter’s later years. Her absence will definitely be felt.
Hallucination Central: Trinity & Miguel Are Back
Here’s where things get really interesting.
John Lithgow, who gave us one of TV’s most chilling villains as the Trinity Killer, recently confirmed he filmed a scene for Resurrection. According to him, Trinity shows up as a “phantom” during a hospital scene where Dexter is regaining consciousness.
Joining him? Jimmy Smits as Miguel Prado—a Season 3 fan favorite who also died at Dexter’s hands. Though exact details are under wraps, it sounds like these two will appear together in a surreal, emotionally loaded hallucination sequence. That kind of moment could offer a rare glimpse into Dexter’s fractured, guilt-ridden psyche.
So naturally, we’re asking: Who else might show up?
Top Candidates for a Haunting Comeback
If Showtime is diving deep into Dexter’s mental shadows, there’s a long list of powerful figures from his past who could return to haunt—or guide—him. Here are the ones we think are most likely:.
1. James Doakes (Erik King)
Surprise, m—well, you know the rest.
Sergeant James Doakes was one of Dexter’s most relentless adversaries, and his death in Season 2 still divides fans. Erik King’s portrayal left a lasting impression, and he’s stayed close to the Dexter universe, even hosting the Dexter: Kill Room podcast.
If Trinity and Miguel are back, Doakes is a no-brainer—especially considering his role in Dexter’s unraveling. A ghostly confrontation between them could be electric.
2. Lila West (Jaime Murray)
Chaotic, seductive, and completely unhinged, Lila was a storm that blew through Season 2—and left devastation in her wake. Jaime Murray’s portrayal gave Dexter one of his most twisted relationships, culminating in the shocking death of Doakes.
Lila may not have lasted long, but her influence was profound. She helped shape Dexter’s understanding of love, addiction, and control. Her return would be wild—but strangely fitting.
3. Hannah McKay (Yvonne Strahovski)
Ah, Hannah. Perhaps the most polarizing character in Dexter’s entire run.
Part lover, part poisoner, Hannah represented a chance at something different—a life outside the kill table. Though her offscreen death in New Blood left many questions unanswered, her relationship with Dexter (and Harrison) remains a core part of the show’s emotional legacy.
Strahovski’s return hasn’t been confirmed, but it’s not impossible. If Resurrection is truly about guilt and reckoning, Hannah may be back to remind Dexter of the life he almost had.
4. Maria LaGuerta (Lauren Vélez)
LaGuerta was no ghost—she was real, determined, and dangerously close to unmasking Dexter. Her Season 7 death, orchestrated by Deb, marked a major turning point.
Given her role in both Dexter’s guilt and Deb’s downfall, LaGuerta would make a chilling addition to any hallucination-heavy storyline. And let’s be honest—fans still have a lot of feelings about her exit.
5. Brian Moser (Christian Camargo)
Last but not least, Dexter’s biological brother and the first true monster he ever faced: the Ice Truck Killer.
Brian’s relationship with Dexter was dark, complicated, and unforgettable. He’s returned before—in both hallucinations and metaphorical visions—and Christian Camargo has recently been having fun with fans online, teasing the possibility of a comeback.
If Resurrection really wants to explore Dexter’s duality, Brian is the ultimate mirror.
Are More Ghosts Coming?
Right now, it looks like the hallucination scenes will focus on characters tied to Dexter’s deepest wounds—those who shaped his sense of right, wrong, and everything in between.
With Trinity and Miguel confirmed, and others like Doakes, Lila, and Brian circling the rumor mill, we might be looking at one of the most emotionally intense scenes in Dexter history.
Could Rita return? What about Frank Lundy? And is there any chance we see Deb again in a surprise cameo down the line?
With Dexter: Resurrection expected to span multiple seasons, there’s time to bring in more ghosts, more guilt, and more reckonings.
Final Thoughts
What’s clear is this: Dexter: Resurrection isn’t just a revival. It’s a reckoning.
Rather than sidestep the past, this new chapter is diving headfirst into it—bringing back the voices, faces, and memories that made Dexter who he is. Whether they appear as hallucinations, flashbacks, or something even more surreal, these returns remind us that Dexter’s story was never just about the blood—it was about the scars.
Who do you want to see come back? Drop your picks in the comments below—let’s get nostalgic.