How the upcoming Dexter sequel can ensure a lasting success.
It is hard to believe but the beginning of a new era of Dexter begins in just a few short weeks with the 2-episode premiere of Dexter Resurrection on July 11th. When it was announced at the Dexter Original Sin panel at SDCC in 2024, it felt almost out of reach (and maybe like it was too good to be true) but with the premiere date quickly approaching, marketing is ramping up and this mysterious new vision for the series is finally starting to take shape.
Despite Dexter’s immense popularity and passionate fanbase, it’s no secret that the show has had its share of turbulence. Depending on who you ask (not me), the show has tried and failed to give audiences a satisfying conclusion despite having tried to tie things off twice now.
With Resurrection, the creative team seems committed to breathing new life into the series once again while piggybacking on the recent success of Original Sin. With that in mind, I think it’s fair to say that critical eyes will now be more fixed on the show than ever before; Which begs the question: What can they do to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past or more importantly, making all new ones?
Design the Narrative with the Endgame in Mind
I want to start with what I feel is not only the most important strategic decision they could make, it’s also one of the most common missteps in Hollywood, and sadly, the least likely to be avoided. As is the case with any franchise or long-running series, creatives rarely design their narratives around a specific ending. The fact is, nobody likes to think about something ending prematurely; Or maybe nobody wants to jinx a project by assuming it has an expiration date. With that said, the reality is that everything is based on profitability and reception. Falling short in either area can lead the higher-ups to cut a show off at the knees with little to no warning.
New Blood had an advantage in this department because it was originally pitched as a mini-series that was meant to give Dexter a more satisfying conclusion. As we all know, they came pretty close but many would argue that they fumbled the ending by trying to squeeze everything into a smaller, 10-episode format. The consequences of which were felt most notably in the final 2-3 episodes. At this time, Resurrection is anticipated to have multiple seasons and Michael C. Hall himself is rumored to have a lot of influence as to when they start to wrap everything up. In other words, the season we are about to watch is not the end but it is definitely the beginning of the end… again.
All this is to say that I think the smartest thing they could do in the writers room is reverse engineer the broader story from the start and have a final ending in mind for when that day finally comes. That’s not to say that they should figure out the whole show up-front but it would be to their benefit to know where they are going so that they can be constantly laying groundwork for the final episode right from the start. During the show’s original run, Clyde Phillips had a vision for the ending in his head but it never came to be because his involvement with the show was famously cut-short after Season 4.
Nobody wants to see Dexter make another triumphant return only to fumble the ending a third time or, God forbid, be cancelled before it has a chance to deliver a satisfying conclusion at all. If Dexter fans are as lucky as they appear to be right now, the writers are learning from their mistakes, planning ahead, and staying true to the character. If that’s the case, Dexter Morgan may finally get an ending that he truly deserves.
Continue to Embrace Bold New Storylines
Given the controversial finale of New Blood and the general audience reluctance when it comes to reboots, sequels, and general franchise longevity, Resurrection had a lot working against it right out of the gate. Despite that, the excitement level for the new series is high, anticipation is palpable, and the series seems poised for an energetic and dramatic debut. If you ask me, that is not only thanks to Michael C Hall’s continued involvement in the franchise but also thanks to the bold new direction they are going with the story, setting, and cast.
The first trailer paints a picture that is equal parts familiar and unfamiliar. We see Dexter stalking the streets of New York City and embracing his dark passenger in a way that he hasn’t since his early years in Miami. His brush with death has given him a new lease on life and, it appears, has driven him to embrace his darkness while also striving to make things right with his son. Seeing the two sides of his character embraced simultaneously and without restraint is an exciting prospect; One that might be the key to delivering a perfect version of the character that feels true to the “perfect monster” we met in 2006 and the troubled but devoted father that emerged in New Blood.
But most notably, Dexter Resurrection has made it clear already that it is telling a story unlike anything the show has done in the past; An inspired choice that I think will be key going forward for the series. I love the original series and I love New Blood but I believe it would be a mistake for them to fall back on classic formulas. Sticking to the formula worked well for Original Sin because it served as an origin story and leaned on nostalgia as a strength. Resurrection is (and should be) taking bold swings with the story in the interest of keeping fans on the hook.
What we know thus far suggests that Dexter will be swept up into some kind of dangerous game alongside a host of other serial killers (played by a bevy of high-profile guest stars) at the behest of a twisted billionaire (Peter Dinklage). If you ask me, it introduces elements of ‘The Most Dangerous Game’ and maybe even a little bit of ‘Ocean’s 11’ for good measure which suggests this is going to be unlike anything we have seen before. On top of that, we already know that Dexter’s original shadow, Harry Morgan (once again played by James Remar), will return alongside a bevy of exciting cameos from the original series. Not to mention the long awaited conflict between Dexter and Batista which will finally play out across the entire season. At the end of the day, this feels like the most ambitious season of Dexter ever produced and sticking to that grand vision from season-to-season will be key to justifying the existence of yet another sequel series and moving the story towards a worthwhile finale.
Let Original Sin’s Influence Grow as Resurrection’s Ending Approaches
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Dexter Resurrection is that it has the unique circumstance of being developed alongside an ongoing prequel series. Original Sin debuted in late 2024 and was met with praise from fans and critics alike; Paving the way for its eventual season 2 renewal. The show will continue enriching Dexter's backstory with tales of his earliest exploits as a serial killer in his twenties. As Resurrection unfolds at the opposite end of the timeline, they now have a brilliant world-building opportunity that I think they would be foolish to ignore.
For the foreseeable future, these two series are going to be leap-frogging production (what a time to be a Dexter fan!); Meaning that season 2 of Original Sin can seize opportunities to plant narrative seeds that are then reaped in season 2 of Resurrection and so on and so on. Characters, events, and themes can now be introduced in the prequel in the interest of delivering a narrative payoff for Dexter in his later years. It’s a rare opportunity because for once, the writers are not necessarily limited by the creative choices that have already been made. It’s a fascinating prospect that simply can’t be ignored.
While we have only seen the briefest of hints thus far, I can’t help but feel like season one of Resurrection will hold more Original Sin callbacks than expected. Perhaps most notably, we are going to finally witness Dexter and Angel’s friendship start to unravel in the present day while we continue to see it blossom in Original Sin. Whether this will go as far as to feature the younger cast in new flashbacks is yet to be seen but now that Original Sin is officially renewed, it certainly is a strong possibility. One way or another, there are now so many fun possibilities on the table that it would be a huge letdown to not take advantage.
Dexter Resurrection is a very exciting project for a number of reasons but it also has the potential to make fatal missteps. New Blood and Original Sin both found success in reviving this beloved series after its rocky ending in 2013 but the future remains unwritten. Ensuring long-term success is going to require a bold vision and a skilled creative team to avoid repeating the sins of the past. If you ask me, all signs point to a promising future for the series but only time will tell what the show’s final legacy will be. One way or another, I am fully on board and ready to find out alongside the rest of you and that’s something I did not expect to be saying in 2025.
Photos 1 and 2 by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images