A seamless blend of prequel and sequel.
2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary for Dexter fans. With the gripping debut season of Dexter: Original Sin and the intense, ongoing run of Dexter: Resurrection (now halfway through its first season), audiences have been treated to a total of 16 brand-new Dexter episodes—all in a single year. Two shows, two timelines, and one iconic character. Fans are, quite literally, eating good.
Connecting Two Timelines: Original Sin and Resurrection
What makes this year even more exciting is the way Dexter: Resurrection is intentionally tying itself to its prequel, Dexter: Original Sin. With Original Sin renewed for a second season, showrunner Clyde Phillips and executive producer Scott Reynolds have made the clever decision to subtly weave in elements from the prequel into the narrative of the sequel.
This isn’t done in an over-the-top or forced manner. Instead, fans have noticed smart, almost blink-and-you’ll-miss-it flashbacks that reference key moments from Original Sin. One notable example comes in Episode 5 of Dexter: Resurrection, where Dexter recalls his first kill while speaking to Harrison. Rather than reusing footage from the original series, the creators chose to insert a scene from the prequel—honoring the new show and solidifying its place in the Dexter canon.
Smart Casting Choices Enhance Continuity
The creators didn’t stop there. In the Dexter: Resurrection series premiere, fans witnessed a dream sequence featuring present time Dexter and his adoptive father Harry at the iconic shipping container—where the traumatic discovery of Dexter and Brian Moser’s mother took place. To enhance continuity, the producers brought back Eli Sherman and Xander Mateo, the child actors who portrayed young Dexter and Brian in Original Sin. This subtle but powerful casting choice deepens the emotional and narrative connection between the two series.
A Familiar Sound: Musical Echoes from the Prequel
Another detail that eagle-eyed (or rather, eagle-eared) fans picked up on is the musical score. Composer Pat Irwin’s original tracks from Dexter: Original Sin have been subtly integrated into scenes throughout Resurrection. This cross-series use of music not only reinforces the tonal connection but also rewards devoted fans who pay close attention to the soundscape of the show.
Why the Connection Matters
Let’s be honest—Dexter: Resurrection is attracting a significantly larger audience than Original Sin, which is expected given that prequels often cater to more niche segments. But this deliberate blending of timelines and characters is a brilliant strategic move. It introduces Original Sin to viewers who may have skipped it, potentially drawing them back to watch the prequel and deepening their investment in the entire franchise.
Easter Eggs and Visual Cues
Even the logos of the two shows reflect this thoughtful planning. While both titles retain the classic Dexter branding, Original Sin features a retro, 1990s-inspired font and a "rewind" symbol—hinting at its prequel status. On the other hand, Resurrection uses a sleek, modern font with a "fast-forward" icon, perfectly aligning with its forward-moving narrative. These small visual details are not only clever—they’re a clear signal of the chronological interplay between the two shows.
Final Thoughts: What Comes Next?
From the very first scenes of Dexter: Original Sin, the connection to Resurrection was made crystal clear—especially with the revelation that Dexter Morgan is alive and the story is continuing beyond the events of Iron Lake. The creative team’s continued efforts to bridge the two timelines are earning well-deserved praise from fans.
As Dexter: Resurrection charges forward, it’ll be fascinating to see what other callbacks, characters, or moments from Original Sin find their way into the new narrative. Whether it’s through flashbacks, musical cues, or character crossovers, one thing’s for sure: this is a golden era for Dexter fans, and the universe is more interconnected than ever before.