Zayas opens up about Batista’s emotional struggle as he faces the truth about Dexter — and why this case is more personal than ever.
The highly anticipated Dexter: Resurrection Episode 5 is set to premiere on August 1st, and following the intense events of the latest installment, titled “Call Me Red,” fans are on edge about what’s coming next. Luckily, the cast had a chance to shed light on the series' evolving dynamics during San Diego Comic-Con 2025, held on July 25th — offering deeper insight into the show's direction and their characters’ emotional journeys.
While the official spotlight was on the Dexter: Resurrection panel at Ballroom 20, where Showrunner Clyde Phillips and Executive Producer Scott Reynolds addressed a packed crowd of eager fans, it was a series of pre-panel interviews that offered equally revealing moments.
A Standout Interview at Rotten Tomatoes Studio
One standout session came courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes, which hosted the cast at their Comic-Con studio for a relaxed, engaging conversation with host Mark Ellis. The atmosphere was light-hearted, filled with laughter — a welcome break from the intensity of the series itself.
Present at the interview were Michael C. Hall, David Zayas, Jack Alcott, Krysten Ritter, and James Remar. Among the various questions posed, one directed at David Zayas—who reprises his beloved role as Angel Batista—sparked a wave of intrigue.
Batista’s Mission: Justice for the Bay Harbor Butcher?
Host Mark Ellis astutely pointed out the drastic shift in Batista’s stance this season. He noted how Batista now holds a unique position in Dexter’s story — one that’s deeply personal. Having witnessed firsthand the cost of getting too close to Dexter’s dark secret, Batista knows what’s at stake. Ellis framed the question by asking how Batista might approach things differently this time. Could he be thinking, “I’m going to do this the right way. This time, it’s going to end differently”?
Zayas responded with nuance and emotion, making it clear that Batista’s journey is more than just procedural, it’s personal.
According to Zayas, Batista still cares deeply for Dexter. There's history, there's affection, and yet, there’s also the burden of truth. Zayas emphasized that Angel Batista has always been a character guided by principle. He doesn’t cut corners. He’s never strayed from doing things “by the book,” and this integrity will guide him as he faces perhaps the most difficult challenge of his career: bringing down someone he once considered family.
Zayas highlighted the long-standing relationship between Batista and Dexter, stretching back nearly thirty years, if you include their origin story in Original Sin. That emotional weight makes Batista’s dilemma even more compelling.
Now, knowing the truth (or at least suspecting it), Batista is determined to seek justice, but to do so the right way, with no shortcuts or shady tactics. And as Zayas put it, that’s going to be challenging.
Final Thoughts: Will Batista Be the One to Take Dexter Down?
David Zayas' comments hint at a powerful emotional and ethical conflict for Batista in the coming episodes. Fans have long adored Angel Batista — his loyalty, his warmth, and his strong moral compass. But now, as the Bay Harbor Butcher case resurfaces and the walls close in on Dexter Morgan, Batista may be the only one who can bring the truth to light.
The question is no longer just will he do it? It’s how he’ll do it — and whether his unwavering commitment to justice will ultimately cost him everything.
Watch the full interview with the cast of Dexter: Resurrection at the Rotten Tomatoes studio below: