We attended the insightful event in New York City on Tuesday.
We are just days away from the two-episode premiere of Dexter Resurrection (July 11th on Paramount+) and America’s favorite serial killer is making his presence known throughout New York City! On Tuesday, July 8th, after hitting the morning show circuit and making an appearance at the top of the Empire State Building, a portion of the cast stopped by 92NY in Manhattan to discuss the upcoming series in front of a live audience - myself included.
The panel was hosted by Jessica Shaw (The Shaw Report Podcast) and featured Dexter alums Michael C. Hall, David Zayas, James Remar, Jack Alcott, and newcomer, Kadia Saraf. The hour long conversation was fun, candid, and just revealing enough to wet our appetite for the premiere tomorrow night.
Getting the Gang back Together
As one might expect, the panel opened with some insight into the genesis of the project and how an innocent “what if” question from Michael quickly ignited the creative fires of Clyde Phillips, Scott Reynolds, and the rest of the creative team. Of course, the shift to New York City also serves as a fresh new backdrop for the story and helped reignite the passion and excitement of the actors at the heart of the show (a place that several of them call home).
When the discussion turned to David Zayas, the audience erupted with excitement. Whether it’s reverence for the return of a beloved character who served as the heart of the show or a yearning for the reunion that never happened in New Blood, one thing is clear: Audiences are ready for the return of Angel Batista! But the return of David Zayas and James Remar also created what Michael C Hall referred to as “rich, fertile soil” for the actors to step into; Effectively creating a sense of familiarity and comfort on set that eased the burden on the actors and made the storytelling even more enticing.
James Remar shared his insights into Harry’s role in the new series and talked about how his re-emergence in Dexter’s psyche represents a rebirth of sorts. Not only for the audience who are seeing him on screen for the first time since 2013 but also for parts of Dexter’s character that have been suppressed or neglected for a very long time. As he has done in the past, he also echoed his deep appreciation for the show and for his fellow actors, frequently referring to them as a “family.” Throughout the night, his enthusiasm and sentimentality was palpable; Easily winning over the audience and bringing smiles to all of his cast mates.
Extended First Looks
But it wasn’t all talk. Throughout the panel, several extended clips were screened for the audience which gave us a better understanding of where each of these characters find themselves in the new series. Right out of the gate, we got our first look at Dexter’s vivid dream where he first reunites with Harry. Dexter is comforted by the return of his adopted father but finds himself questioning his own worth in the wake of the shooting. As the two stand together in the bloody shipping container (in front of young Dexter and Brian from Original Sin), it’s Harry who reminds him of what’s important and encourages him to fight for another chance to do right by his son.
When the panel shifted focus to Jack Alcott, we got our first look at a scene that depicts Harrison trying his best to start a new life while coping with the traumatic fallout of shooting his father. While guiding a couple to their hotel room, the elevator doors in front of him freeze over and then open to reveal the frozen landscape of iron lake with a trickle of blood cutting through the snow. It’s a nice hint of the connective tissue between Resurrection and New Blood and represents their continued commitment to the abstract symbolism that shined in New Blood.
Kadia Saraf might be a newcomer to the series but a brand new clip went a long way towards painting her as one of Resurrection’s secret weapons. She plays Detective Claudette Wallace; A no-nonsense detective who has a talent for reading crime scenes and a penchant for listening to disco (in this case ‘Stayin Alive’ by The Bee Gees) while she does her thing. It may be too soon to speculate but think of her as Dexter’s answer to Will Graham from Hannibal. Regardless, she seems like a formidable detective who may end up being a real thorn in Dexter’s side (or Harrison’s).
But perhaps most shocking was the extended look at Dexter and Batista’s long-awaited reunion. It is guaranteed to be a bittersweet moment as the tension between the two is almost immediately felt. Batista brings Dexter a cuban sandwich (this immediately gave me flashbacks to Original Sin) before hitting him with one of the most shocking and unexpected questions imaginable. To the dismay of the audience, the clip cut before Dexter had a chance to answer but you can expect me to delve into this moment in my review of episode one after the premiere.
The Doors are Wide Open
The hour-long panel flew by and despite being full of juicy nuggets of information and lovely personal anecdotes from the cast, I couldn’t help but notice the electricity in the air. The cast seems more energized than ever and the future seems bright for Dexter fans. As much as I loved New Blood, the production did feel like a send-off; like a tragic final chapter that the actors / writers needed to execute in order to find closure. Resurrection just feels different somehow; Like the production has found its second wind and is charging ahead with their heads held high.
After a few softball questions from the audience, the host ended by asking Michael what the future has in store for the series. We may have known the answer since day one but there is something strangely gratifying about hearing it from Michael’s mouth this close to the premiere. He proudly stated that the “doors are wide open” for the story to continue in future seasons. With that final declaration, the cast said their goodbyes; Leaving us to wallow in anticipation for the two-episode premiere this Friday.
Of course, we plan to have our review of the first episode before Friday along with plenty of photos and details from the red carpet premiere happening later today. Stay tuned!