In a new interview, the actress behind Mia Lapierre shares her hopes for what’s next.
It’s no secret that Krysten Ritter was instantly captivated by her role in Dexter: Resurrection. Stepping into the shoes of Mia Lapierre — a sophisticated sommelier with a chilling secret — Ritter found herself embodying a character the public had dubbed Lady Vengeance.
The nickname, born from a misunderstanding of Mia’s motives, added a layer of notoriety to a woman whose dark actions were, in her own mind, justified. At first, Mia was unlike anyone else in Dexter Morgan’s world… until she wasn’t.
From the moment Dexter suspected she might follow a code similar to his own, his curiosity was piqued. There was an unspoken connection — or at least mutual fascination — between them. Dexter, of course, didn’t present himself as the Bay Harbor Butcher. Instead, he impersonated the “Dark Passenger Killer”, which gave him access to Mia’s world and the shadowy circle of killers connected to Leon Prater’s secret gatherings.
But that intrigue didn’t last. As Dexter uncovered the truth — that Mia was simply another predator without the moral boundaries he hoped for — he set his plan in motion. His solution wasn’t to kill her directly, but to orchestrate her arrest, knowing it would seal her fate. In true Leon Prater fashion, her days behind bars were short-lived. The billionaire, who lavishes wealth and protection on serial killers while they remain free, has a well-known habit: when they get caught, he has them eliminated, making it look like she killed herself.
Mia’s supposed demise in episode 6, Cats & Mouse, seemed to follow that pattern — until small details suggested otherwise. Viewers couldn’t ignore the odd fact that the only confirmation of her death came from a single prison guard, one with suspicious ties and the means to stage an escape. The whispers of a faked death began almost immediately.
Then came Ritter’s interviews, fanning the flames of fan theories. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she reflected on what drew her to Lady Vengeance. From the very first page of the script, Ritter knew this was special. Roles like Mia — a glamorous, complex, female serial killer — simply don’t come along often. She laughed about how naturally the dialogue fit her, crediting showrunner Scott Reynolds for knowing her so well.
Even small details mirrored her real life: many years ago, she had a tradition of taking dates bowling, so when Mia invited Dexter to a bowling alley, Ritter couldn’t help but smile. She even revealed she’s still a regular bowler, often going with her young son, who now occasionally beats her thanks to the bumpers.
As for her hopes of reprising the role, Ritter admitted that when she first signed on, she believed she was only filming a tight three-episode arc. But as production went on, she and the creative team constantly discussed ways to keep Mia’s story alive. She also revealed that "There’s not a day that goes by where we’re not talking about how to do more with this character".
Ritter found the character endlessly entertaining, playful at times, yet layered with menace. From her initial stoic reserve to her seductive chemistry with Dexter, and finally to the glimpses of pure psychosis, Mia Lapierre was one of the most multifaceted roles Ritter had ever played.
And while she made no promises, Ritter’s optimism was clear. She hinted that the door to Lady Vengeance’s return might still be wide open, ending with a hopeful sentiment: they’re keeping their fingers crossed.
Whether it’s a sequel, a prequel spinoff, or a bigger role in Season 2 of Dexter: Resurrection, her future remains uncertain. Even though Mia appeared very much dead, there’s strong intent to bring her back — and that’s what truly matters.