One of the greatest challenges for writers is to make the audience like Harrison again.
When Dexter: New Blood premiered in 2021, fans were eager — and cautiously hopeful — to see how the story of everyone’s favorite morally complex serial killer would continue. But the most divisive character wasn’t Dexter Morgan himself. It was his teenage son, Harrison Morgan. Now, as Dexter: Resurrection looms on the horizon, a single question dominates fan discussions: Can Harrison be redeemed and finally become a likable, compelling character?
The Problem with Harrison in Dexter: New Blood
The premise of Dexter: New Blood was promising: Dexter, now living under a false identity in Iron Lake, reconnects with the son he abandoned years earlier. The emotional potential was immense — but the execution, particularly when it came to Harrison’s character development, left many fans disappointed.
Portrayed by the talented Jack Alcott, Harrison came across as a moody, volatile teenager whose erratic behavior overshadowed any attempts at deeper emotional connection. While some of his angst was understandable, given his traumatic past, his constant mood swings and rebellious outbursts often felt grating rather than sympathetic. His characterization lacked the nuance and complexity fans had come to expect from the Dexter universe.
More critically, Harrison often felt less like a fully realized character and more like a narrative device used to push Dexter toward an inevitable conclusion. This issue was magnified in the polarizing finale, where Harrison ultimately "kills" Dexter — a moment intended to be poetic and tragic but, for many viewers, felt abrupt and unearned. Instead of a cathartic resolution, it felt like a betrayal of the series' core themes and character arcs.
Why Jack Alcott Wasn’t the Problem
In the wake of the finale, much of the fan backlash fell on Jack Alcott’s shoulders. But let’s be clear: the criticism was never truly about Alcott’s performance. He delivered what the script and direction required of him. The real issue according to the fans was the way Harrison was written — inconsistent, emotionally hollow, and lacking a strong narrative foundation.
In passionate fandoms like Dexter’s, it's common for actors to bear the brunt of disappointment aimed at the writers and showrunners. Alcott’s portrayal showed promise, and with stronger material, he could still make Harrison into a character worth rooting for.
A Scrapped Spin-Off and a New Opportunity
After New Blood, Showtime initially planned a Harrison-led spin-off, positioning him as the next anti-hero in the Dexter universe. Scripts were written, and the groundwork was in place. However, those plans were eventually shelved in favor of Dexter: Resurrection, a new series that will bring back Michael C. Hall in his iconic role.
While many fans breathed a sigh of relief, this pivot left Harrison’s future uncertain. Fortunately, early reports confirm that Harrison will still play a significant role in Resurrection — and that presents a golden opportunity.
Harrison’s Redemption Arc: A Second Chance
Dexter: Resurrection is more than just a return to form — it’s a chance to course-correct and rebuild what New Blood fractured. Harrison’s redemption arc can become a centerpiece of this revival if approached with the right depth, sensitivity, and attention to character growth.
To succeed, the series must confront the events of the New Blood finale head-on. Sweeping them under the rug would only deepen fan skepticism. Instead, the writers should explore the psychological toll of Harrison killing his father. What kind of guilt does he carry? Has he inherited his father’s Dark Passenger? Is he seeking purpose, or trying to escape a legacy of blood?
Giving Harrison the space to grapple with trauma, identity, and morality could reshape him into a truly dynamic character. Combine that with a more grounded, emotionally consistent personality, and he could finally earn the audience's empathy.
What We Know About Harrison So Far
According to recent updates, Dexter: Resurrection will pick up with Harrison in New York City, working as a bellhop at the Empire Hotel. This setting opens up intriguing possibilities — a bustling city full of secrets, temptations, and opportunities for Harrison to either rebuild his life or fall deeper into darkness.
It’s the perfect backdrop for a coming-of-age story laced with danger and psychological conflict — one that mirrors Dexter’s own journey, but with a chance for a different outcome.
Can Harrison Morgan Truly Be Redeemed?
Redemption has always been a core theme of the Dexter franchise. Dexter constantly wrestled with his Dark Passenger, searching for a way to balance his urges with a twisted sense of justice. If Resurrection offers Harrison a similar path — filled with moral conflict, emotional growth, and meaningful stakes — he absolutely can be redeemed.
More than that, he can evolve into a worthy successor to Dexter’s legacy — not by replicating it, but by reckoning with it and forging his own way forward.
Final Thoughts
With Dexter: Resurrection promising a fresh start and the return of Michael C. Hall, there’s no better time to right the wrongs of New Blood. Harrison Morgan’s redemption arc is not only possible — it’s essential. Whether he becomes the next anti-hero or something entirely new, all eyes will be on how the writers handle his journey.
If done right, Harrison can finally step out of his father’s shadow and become the complex, compelling character fans have been waiting for.