The actor is definitely okay if they name their pets Dexter, though.
Nearly two decades after its groundbreaking debut on Showtime, Dexter is still making waves. What began as a dark, psychological drama has officially evolved into a full-fledged franchise. And now, in just over a month, Dexter Morgan is set to return to our screens—igniting a fresh wave of excitement among fans old and new.
In anticipation of the premiere of this next chapter in the Dexter saga, series star Michael C. Hall sat down with Emmy Magazine to reflect on stepping back into the iconic role. Among other topics, he opened up about the show's passionate fanbase and their unique way of connecting with him.
"I often get photos from people who are in the midst of doing some sort of renovation or whatever. Anytime anything is covered in plastic, people feel compelled to share it with me, which is flattering, I guess."
Hall also shared his mixed feelings when fans go so far as to name their children after his character:
"People have a lot of affection for the character in spite of what you might imagine given what he does. I have encountered a lot of people who report to me that they've named their dog or cat Dexter or other animal. If I'm ever informed that they actually named their human child Dexter, it makes me a little nervous."
Why Dexter Resonates So Deeply With Fans
When asked why the series continues to attract such a devoted following, Hall pointed to the show's exploration of moral ambiguity and personal agency:
"I mean, I think different people like the show for different reasons. People relish the chance to spend time with someone who's taking unique responsibility for his own darkness and for the chaos in his world. He's taking some control in a world where people struggle to feel like they can take control in arguably, morally dicey ways, but it is what it is."
A Favorite Scene That Stands Out
Even after so many years and storylines, one moment from the original series stands out to Hall as particularly memorable:
"My favorite moment in the whole series, Dexter. I always loved it when he discovered that room full of blood that his brother created in the first season and did a face plant in it just because it felt like a throwback to the summertime doing a slip and slide, but in blood."
You can watch the full video interview, which includes behind-the-scenes footage from the Emmy Magazine photoshoot, just below.