After the shocking events of Episode 9, the actor behind the character says, “never say never” when asked about a possible return.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Dexter: Resurrection Season 1, Episode 9
Episode 9 of Dexter: Resurrection—titled “Touched by an Ángel”—delivered one of the most heartbreaking shocks of the season. Angel Batista, a beloved staple of the Dexter franchise since the early days, met a tragic end inside Leon Prater’s vault of serial killer memorabilia. And in true Dexter fashion, it wasn’t just a random twist—Dexter himself was present, witnessing Batista’s fate unfold, knowing that it all happened because of him.
For longtime fans, Batista wasn’t just another character—he was family. His warmth, loyalty, and friendship grounded the show for years. Losing him feels like losing a piece of Dexter’s soul. But as every fan knows… in this universe, death isn’t always the end.
Could Batista Still Return?
The Dexter franchise has a long history of revisiting characters we thought were gone for good. Just look at the Resurrection premiere, which surprised viewers with unforgettable cameos from John Lithgow (Arthur Mitchell), Jimmy Smits (Miguel Prado), and Erik King (James Doakes).
That’s exactly what gives fans hope. In a new interview following the episode’s release, David Zayas (Batista) addressed the big question: could he return in future seasons, despite his character’s death?
“Never say never,” Zayas said in an interview with THR. “I’m always open to new ideas. There are some characters who have never been alive on this show,” he admitted. “So, I always have hope!”
He reminded fans that death in Dexter isn’t always the end:
“There’s always that window that keeps me with a positive outlook, because I would be a part of the Dexter-verse in any capacity,” he said for Variety.
Zayas went on to call working on Dexter “the best job I’ve ever had.”
Zayas Knew Batista’s Fate From the Start
Interestingly, Zayas revealed that when he signed on for Dexter: Resurrection, he already knew Batista’s storyline from beginning to end:
“When I first got asked to do it, I knew the whole storyline. My reaction was: ‘Wow. That’s really good.’ It really puts a powerful punch here at the end.”
He even joked about Dexter’s own shocking return after New Blood:
“I’m so glad that Dexter survived that gunshot by Harrison. It worked out well for me.”
Final Thoughts
While Batista’s death hit fans hard, David Zayas’ openness to return—whether through flashbacks, dreams, or Dexter’s iconic hallucinations—means we may not have seen the last of him. If the history of the show has taught us anything, it’s that the writers always find clever ways to bring back fan favorites.
For now, Batista’s exit is a devastating reminder of how high the stakes are in Dexter: Resurrection. But in the world of Dexter, no goodbye is ever truly final.