The actress behind Claudette Wallace, opened up with fascinating insights about her role.
Seven episodes into Dexter: Resurrection Season 1, fans have already met a host of fascinating new characters, from recurring guest stars to series regulars. Among the latter is Detective Claudette Wallace of the NYPD’s 22nd precinct, played by actress Kadia Saraf.
With her commanding presence and razor-sharp instincts, Wallace has quickly become a standout addition to the show — and a formidable obstacle for Dexter Morgan himself. Fans already see her as more than just another detective; she’s a force who could very well become one of Dexter’s biggest threats.
Meanwhile, Angel Batista remains obsessed with proving Dexter is the Bay Harbor Butcher. Desperate for help, Batista tries to bring both Wallace and Detective Oliva on board, pointing to Harrison’s connection with Dexter as the key piece of leverage. This sets the stage for Claudette’s fateful first encounter with Dexter in Episode 7, “Course Correction.”
At a criminology lecture held at a local university, Wallace finally comes face-to-face with the man Captain Batista is convinced is a notorious serial killer. For fans, it was a chilling and electrifying moment. For Saraf, it was the culmination of an exciting journey into the world of Dexter.
Following the episode’s release, Kadia Saraf spoke with ComicBook about her audition process, her longtime friendship with David Zayas, and the unique layers she brings to Claudette Wallace.
How Kadia Saraf Landed the Role of Claudette Wallace
For Saraf, it all began with David Zayas himself. The two had been friends for years, and during a family outing to see their kids in an acting program, Zayas mentioned that Dexter was coming back. He encouraged her to have her reps look into a character he thought was perfect for her.
At first, Saraf was told the role was already out as an offer to someone else. But just a few days later, the audition came through. She quickly taped two scenes — one introducing Claudette and Oliva by the garbage dock, and another investigating the events of a hotel room.
The next morning, she remembers wishing she had more time to develop the character further. But her manager urged her to trust the work she’d already done. By January, she received the call: she didn’t need to audition again, she was Claudette Wallace.
For Saraf, it was one of those career-defining moments where decades of hard work suddenly converge. “They had been searching for Claudette for a long time,” she recalled. “And the producers told me, ‘You are Claudette.’”
Bringing Claudette to Life on Screen
When Saraf arrived on set, she had endless questions about how Claudette should behave outside of the pages of the script. But the producers assured her she already understood the character.
They gave her one crucial note: Claudette has a very flat affect. That became Saraf’s anchor. From there, she built Claudette’s demeanor — her posture, her precision, her calculated movements.
Her co-star Jack Alcott once described Claudette as a “human laser beam,” a phrase Saraf embraced. For her, Claudette’s focus shapes everything: her cadence, her body language, and the way she processes information.
Interestingly, Clyde Phillips and Scott Reynolds had been developing Claudette for years before Saraf stepped into the role. For her, it was a seamless alignment between what the writers envisioned and what she naturally brought to the table.
Working with David Zayas and NYPD Insights
Saraf and Zayas had always wanted to work together, and Dexter: Resurrection finally gave them that chance.
Zayas, who worked as an NYPD officer before becoming an actor, shared valuable insights with Saraf. He explained the nuances of police work — what felt authentic and what was more “movie magic.” Saraf says those conversations deepened her understanding of Claudette, even if the show occasionally leaned into dramatic license.
Claudette Meets Dexter
Filming Claudette’s first meet with Dexter was a pivotal moment. Saraf was careful to approach it from Claudette’s perspective, not her own.
At this point in the story, Claudette doesn’t carry the years of history fans do. For her, it’s not about fear or awe but about observation. She watches Dexter and Harrison together, carefully analyzing body language and searching for truth.
“Claudette doesn’t emotionally attach herself to findings,” Saraf explained. “She just gathers information and sees if it all makes sense.”
Watching Dexter: Resurrection With Her Family
Despite being part of such a dark and intense series, Saraf actually watches the new episodes at home with her three kids. While her daughter binge-watched the original Dexter in just over a month, Saraf herself avoided rewatching so she could stay focused on the new role.
Her children, all of whom have helped her run lines for auditions over the years, now get to see her hard work pay off. Saraf describes it as priceless to watch them realize what it takes to land and embody a role like Claudette Wallace.
Her youngest son, now 15, often reminds her of how far she’s come. After watching her performance, he hugged her and said: “You did it. You were always a star. Now the world knows.”
For Saraf, those words mean more than any review.
Kadia Saraf’s Future on Dexter: Resurrection
With Claudette Wallace now firmly established in Dexter: Resurrection, we are eager to see how her relentless pursuit of the truth might collide with Dexter Morgan’s world.
If Saraf’s performance so far is any indication, Claudette could prove to be one of the most important characters in shaping the future of the series.
Source: ComicBook.com