Clyde Phillips shared insights on what unfolded after the controversial ending aired.
On January 9, 2022, the Dexter: New Blood finale made its debut on Showtime—an episode that was expected to mark the last time Michael C. Hall would portray the iconic Dexter Morgan. Although the series was originally planned as a miniseries aimed at delivering closure, its final moments left the fanbase once again divided.
Written by showrunner Clyde Phillips, the finale titled “Sins of the Father” drew criticism for feeling rushed and unresolved. A much-anticipated showdown between Dexter and Angel Batista—heavily teased in the episode—never happened. And of course, the controversial climax: Harrison killing his own father.
The fan backlash was intense, reminiscent of the outrage following the original series finale in 2013. New Blood had aimed to provide a satisfying conclusion, but for many viewers, it missed the mark.
Not long after the finale aired, turmoil began brewing behind the scenes. During a discussion at the second panel at CCXP 2025, showrunner Clyde Phillips admitted that the fan backlash hit him hard. Prompted by a moderator’s question about the audience reaction, Phillips revealed he was devastated by the response from the fans.
Before that, Michael C. Hall, David Zayas, and writer/executive producer Scott Reynolds each shared their personal take on the audience response.
When the conversation turned to fan reactions on social media and whether Michael C. Hall paid attention to them, he responded:
“I leave that pre-occupation to other people. I don't know. For my part I try not to pay too much attention to it. My brain is too sensitive.”
David Zayas added:
“I don't look much at that aspect of social media. I have a 16-year-old grandson, he doesn't [know] anything that is going on. I just try to just do the job at hand and just try to play Batista without any... I think it would confuse me as well seeing statements or recommendations or advice from the fans that are out there. So I like to keep it separate.”
Executive producer and writer Scott Reynolds added his thoughts:
“I'm aware of it. People like me have to put it around. When we are making it (the show), it's kind of ours and the minute you put it out there, it's yours, it's the fans’.”
Clyde Phillips then followed up with his own take on the reaction:
“The thing about social media is that it's hard to stay [away] from. Everybody's anonymous, people love it, people don't love it. At the end of New Blood, when Harrison shot Dexter, the social media went crazy against him (Harrison). And we were very unhappy and I was particularly stricken about it. I called Michael [C. Hall] to talk about it, and his wife (Morgan Macgregor) took the phone from him and she said, ‘Clyde, 6,000 people have trouble with what you did, 11 million people watched it. Do the math.’”
While the finale didn’t unite the fanbase as the creators had hoped, it undoubtedly reignited passionate debate—solid proof that, even after all these years, Dexter Morgan remains one of television’s most compelling and controversial characters. But that chapter is behind us. Michael C. Hall is officially back as Dexter Morgan—and this time, the game is about to change with Dexter: Resurrection.