The actor appeared on ABC on Tuesday, in order to promote Dexter: Resurrection.
As the red carpet is being rolled out and fans buzz with anticipation, the excitement for Dexter: Resurrection is reaching a fever pitch. Today, the cast—including several high-profile guest stars—kicked off the morning with press appearances and are now en route to the world premiere, set to take place at Alice Tully Hall in New York City.
But the celebration started even earlier. Just yesterday, Dexter himself—Michael C. Hall—made the rounds on various media outlets to promote the highly-anticipated sequel series. One notable stop was his five-minute appearance on ABC News, where he gave fans a sneak peek (quite literally) of what’s to come.
A Sneak Peek at Episode 1: Dexter’s Return and Batista’s Pursuit
During the interview, a short—but intriguing—sneak peek from Episode 1 aired. Though the audio was mostly muted, the visuals teased a tense scene: Dexter appears to be in hiding while Angel Batista makes his presence known at the Seneca Nation Clinic. The moment hints at a dramatic confrontation brewing in the premiere episode.
Michael C. Hall on Bringing Dexter Back: “What If He Didn’t Die?”
Michael opened up about how Dexter: Resurrection came to life—and surprisingly, it all started with a casual conversation.
“To be honest, it came—at least largely—from me,” Hall shared. “I was talking to a producing director from the original show, just reminiscing about how great it was. And then it just flew out of my mouth: What if he didn’t die? What if that bullet didn’t take him out? Is that crazy?”
From that single spark, the revival began to take shape. Discussions deepened, ideas flowed, and eventually, the pieces aligned for Dexter Morgan to rise once more—this time in New York City.
“It felt like an opportunity for Dexter to have a second chance—not just at life, but at letting go of the burden of his past and forging a new path forward,” Hall explained. “And then New York came into the picture... and the next thing we knew, we had shot another season.”
From Miami to Manhattan: A New Setting, A New Identity
The shift from sunny Miami to gritty New York is more than just a change of scenery—it's central to the story.
“New York reveals itself as the place where Dexter can literally reclaim his identity,” Hall said. “Everyone thinks he died in that hurricane back in Miami. But now, thanks to Angel Batista, he’s legally resurrected. He can be Dexter Morgan again.”
But this resurrection isn’t simple. New York offers both anonymity and intensity—a fitting backdrop for Dexter's inner turmoil.
“It’s a city that’s hard, angular. And Dexter has a more rigid relationship to his code now. He’s hiding in plain sight again, but in a very different way,” Hall added. “New York feels like a character in the show—tough, unpredictable, and always watching.”
On Uma Thurman and Peter Dinklage: “Icons, Total Pros”
One of the biggest talking points of Dexter: Resurrection has been the addition of A-list talent like Uma Thurman and Peter Dinklage. Hall couldn’t speak more highly of them.
“They’re total pros. Icons. Amazing actors, amazing presences,” he said. “It’s been incredibly gratifying that actors of that caliber wanted to come play in this crazy world. They bring so much to this season.”
Alongside returning fan favorites and brand-new characters, the star-studded cast promises one of the most dynamic seasons yet.
Why Fans Still Love Dexter After All These Years
So what is it that keeps audiences coming back to Dexter, even after all this time?
“I think people are drawn to him for different reasons,” Hall reflected. “He’s resilient. In his own twisted way, he’s an optimist. No matter what happens, he keeps showing up for life.”
Dexter’s appeal, Hall suggests, lies in his complexity.
“We all have a shadow side—not as dark as Dexter’s—but still, there’s something relatable about a character who takes responsibility for that side of himself,” he explained. “Plus, the voiceover element makes people feel like they're inside his head. It creates intimacy. The audience has a connection to him that no other character in the show does. They're on the ride with him—and sometimes, it feels like they're implicated in what he's doing.”
Watch the full interview below. The brief sneak peek airs around the 2:00 mark.
Stay tuned for more coverage from the red carpet premiere of Dexter: Resurrection—including photos, cast interviews, and early reactions.