The actor says they weren't asked to impersonate their counterparts for the prequel.
Dexter: Original Sin wrapped its gripping first season this past February on Paramount+ with Showtime, and fans are already buzzing as production for Season 2 is set to begin soon. One of the standout performances in the prequel series came from Christian Slater, who took on the pivotal role of Harry Morgan.
After receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Slater sat down with the Television Academy to discuss Dexter, among other projects.
For Slater, stepping into a role that’s equal parts mentor and lingering presence was both a challenge and an opportunity — one that, amusingly, the internet helped make a little easier.
“Somebody out there in the universe already did my research,” Slater said with a grin. “I typed in ‘James Remar dad Dexter scenes’ and ended up watching a compilation of all his moments from the original series. I had already been a fan of the show — and of James Remar — so it was great to revisit his work. He did a fantastic job with the character.”
Creating His Own Harry Morgan
While Slater certainly did his homework, he was never expected to replicate Remar’s interpretation of Harry. The show’s creators, including executive producer Clyde Phillips, wanted something more personal and original from the cast.
“They really wanted us to make the characters our own,” Slater explained. “Kind of like what you see with different James Bonds — each one brings something new while staying true to the core. That’s what we got to do here, and it was a fantastic creative experience.”
Slater’s version of Harry is a bit younger, more hands-on, and more layered, which aligns with the show’s focus on Dexter’s formative years. His performance brings both warmth and eerie detachment — the perfect balance for a man teaching his son how to channel homicidal urges into vigilante justice.
Reuniting With Familiar Faces
Original Sin didn’t just offer Slater a fresh creative challenge — it also served as a reunion with an old co-star. Patrick Dempsey, who plays a pivotal role in the new series, first worked with Slater over 30 years ago in the 1991 gangster film Mobsters.
“We hadn’t really connected since then,” Slater recalled. “It was great to work with Patrick again after all this time. Seeing where our lives and careers have gone since then made it feel really full circle.”
Then it's Sarah Michelle Gellar. While she and Slater had never worked together before, their paths had crossed in pop culture lore.
“Sarah’s one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve worked with. When we started filming, my wife had just given birth to our son, and Sarah would ask me to send her baby photos. It was really sweet — she said it brightened her day.”
Looking Ahead to Season 2
With the success of its first season and a dedicated fanbase behind it, Dexter: Original Sin is already gearing up for Season 2. Slater, like much of the cast, is thrilled to continue the story.
“It’s rare to join a project that already has such strong momentum,” he said. “We’re not just introducing a brand-new world — we’re adding depth to one that people are already deeply connected to. And the fan reactions have been amazing. They’ve been pleasantly surprised by the direction of the show and the added insight into these characters.”
As production for Season 2 is set to begin later this year, audiences can expect even more layered storytelling, dark twists, and deeper dives into the relationships that shaped Dexter Morgan. Slater’s version of Harry might not haunt Dexter from the grave — yet — but he’s already etched himself into the franchise’s legacy.
Source: Television Academy