The actor recently spoke with GQ Mexico, revealing some exciting details about the new series.
As fans gear up for the highly anticipated return of Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, the excitement surrounding Dexter: Resurrection is reaching fever pitch. With the series premiere just around the corner, it's safe to say: this summer belongs to Dexter.
Filming for Dexter: Resurrection officially wrapped in mid-June, and after six intense months of production, the cast has been enjoying a well-earned break. However, the promotional engine is far from slowing down. In the lead-up to the premiere, many cast members have appeared on late-night shows, participated in panels, and shared insights in online interviews.
One standout among them is David Zayas, the beloved actor behind one of Dexter's most compassionate characters — Angel Batista.
While Batista’s presence in Dexter: New Blood was brief, the upcoming sequel series promises a major shift: Zayas returns as a series regular, much like in the original run. Now a Captain at Miami Metro PD, Batista finds himself pulled out of Miami following the shocking revelations at the end of New Blood, where Angela Bishop confided her suspicions that Dexter might, in fact, be the Bay Harbor Butcher.
Since Dexter: Resurrection picks up just a few weeks later, Batista’s knowledge — and what he plans to do with it — is going to be pivotal.
In a brand new interview with GQ Mexico, published in Spanish (and carefully translated for English-speaking fans), Zayas opens up about his return, Batista’s evolution, and even hints at the character’s awareness of Dexter’s true identity.
Spoiler Warning!
Some excerpts contain plot details from Dexter: Resurrection. Spoiler-marked sections are clearly labeled in case you prefer to avoid them.
On Returning to the World of Dexter and This New Version of Angel Batista
David Zayas:
“I’ve always hoped to return. I was surprised and not surprised, because there’s still so much to say in this story. How often do you get the opportunity to make a series over 20 years, playing the same character? We’re lucky to be able to do this. It’s unbelievable that I could come back, under these circumstances, with the knowledge the character now has. It was fantastic—I was happy to come back, and I jumped right into the role. When something is in your system, it’s in your system. I did it for eight years; I didn’t know how it would feel to return, but I dove straight in. It’s incredible to deliver that same performance from the beginning, but with this new information and situation.”
On How Batista Has Changed
Zayas:
“From the start—back in 2006—I always felt Batista lacked cynicism. He always saw the positive side, striving to do what’s right and not cross certain lines. Over the years, as he’s lost people and faced difficult situations, he’s lost some of that. But if you're a homicide detective, you’re surrounded by death—you have to deal with it professionally. What neither I nor the writers wanted was for Batista to lose that sense of shock at death. He’s always felt loss deeply. As an actor, it’s incredible to work on that.”
On Batista’s Cultural Representation
Zayas:
“Every chance I have to represent a culture I’m familiar with—whether Cuban-American, Puerto Rican, Dominican—is positive. It’s great to bring these incredible stories, the interesting journeys, the culture—to represent it positively. It’s important to me, and this series gives me that opportunity. I do as much research as I can about the culture to bring it into the show.”
*Spoilers Ahead!
On How Batista Has Evolved — And Whether He Knows Dexter’s Secret
Zayas:
“I needed not to interpret him as he was in 2006–07. It’s important to understand what’s happened in between and what he believes now. All that informs his decisions and actions. He’s no longer the Batista from 2006—he’s based on his new life experiences, improvements in his work, and new challenges. The question is: how did the whole Dexter situation escape him? We need to answer whether he didn't want to see it, deliberately avoided it, or just wasn't aware.
Sometimes people close to you have secret lives you don’t know. This is an interesting concept for today’s Batista, and how he reacts. He still tries to stay within boundaries, but now there’s a different outcome, especially knowing who Dexter really is, and knowing he has to prove it. He’s also in a different city—he doesn’t have the same authority as in Miami. He has to figure out how to operate in New York to serve justice.”
On Batista’s Strategy — and Their Complicated Friendship
Zayas:
“He’s seeking a smart approach. Both know what they know, they know each other, both know the other knows the truth. Batista must find a way to enact justice; he knows he can’t confront Dexter directly or attack—that won’t work because he needs proof to present in New York. Batista must be cautious, but there's also affection— they were friends and worked together for years, and Batista spent ten years believing Dexter was dead. All that has changed how he approaches things. He’s trying to find the legal, correct way to deal with Dexter Morgan.
Every surprise is welcome, especially in a series I like watching. The more surprises, the more interesting the series. There are surprises the audience will see that Batista doesn’t know, and even Dexter doesn’t. Dexter has the advantage of voice-over— the audience hears his internal monologue; Batista doesn’t. He doesn’t have that, so he must unravel things on his own.”
*Spoiler-Free Zone Resumes
On Whether Dexter Is Truly a Villain
Zayas:
“I don’t view it as hero versus villain—I try to see the human behind it. If I find sensitivity or compassion even in the villain, it’s interesting. Especially with villains, you have to find their cracks, what makes them human, if they have love in their lives—understand why they’re violent. I try to do that to render characters fully human. It’s important not to box them as villain. You dig deep and find the facets that let us connect. Dexter excels at that; Michael C. Hall does it so well. He tells the audience what he’s feeling—without judgment—and people listen and follow his vision. That’s a great concept.”
On Batista’s Take on Harry’s Code
Zayas:
“The audience hears Dexter’s moral code—but characters don’t. If you ask me if what Dexter does is right, I’d say no. But when I see the dynamic between him and his father—how his father taught him the code—I always wonder: if I found out my son was this type of person, how would I react? Would I turn him in, arrest him, send him to a hospital? These are complicated questions. It seems easy from the outside, but when it’s your own family, you look for a way to help. That doesn’t make Dexter good. I don’t know if the code justifies what he does or if it’s a way to avoid getting caught—maybe both. But I think he has a conscience. He tries to justify what he does via his father’s code and what his dad taught him growing up. I can’t judge it black and white—it’s a great gray scale.”
On Reuniting with Michael C. Hall
Zayas:
“It’s always been amazing working with Michael. He’s brilliant, and his work ethic is like mine. When we arrive on set, we’re ready. Working with him on Resurrection fit perfectly, even though we hadn’t worked together in ten years. Once the characters came together, I immediately returned to that Dexter Morgan world—the one Batista knew and was friends with. Michael’s commitment to his character makes my job easier. That’s why I love working with him—it feels like being home.”
So, what do you think about David Zayas’ revelations regarding Batista’s journey in Dexter: Resurrection? Is Angel finally ready to uncover the truth? Let us know your thoughts, predictions, and theories in the comments below!