During one of the most dramatic scenes, a surprising comic-relief moment emerged — and it was completely improvised.
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Dexter: Resurrection Episode 9
It’s no secret that some of the most memorable moments in film and television happen when actors go off-script. While it might seem like they’re stepping outside the boundaries set by writers or directors, these spontaneous choices often add authenticity, depth, and sometimes even humor to a scene. Dexter has always had its share of improvised gems, though not all of them have ever been revealed publicly.
In the latest episode of Dexter: Resurrection, titled “Touched by an Angel”, fans witnessed a shocking — yet unexpectedly funny — improvised moment that has quickly become one of the highlights of the season.
The scene in question takes place inside the vault, where the sinister billionaire Leon Prater (played brilliantly by Peter Dinklage) demands that Dexter prove his loyalty by killing none other than Angel Batista, the beloved Miami Metro (now former) Captain who has been a cornerstone of the franchise. For Prater, this gruesome “test” is part of his obsession with Dexter’s secret identity as the Bay Harbor Butcher.
As Batista lies helplessly strapped to the Ice Truck Killer’s infamous draining table, tension is sky-high. Dexter appears to play along with Prater’s demand, all while secretly plotting to free Batista. During this sequence, Dexter subtly gestures to Prater to stop Charley from pointing her gun at him. What happens next is where Peter Dinklage’s improvisational brilliance comes through.
After delivering the scripted line — “Give me the gun” — to Charley, Dinklage added his own unscripted touch:
“Come… it’s embarrassing.”
This improvised line, combined with Charley’s awkward and neurotic reaction, instantly broke the tension for viewers. Despite the life-or-death stakes, fans couldn’t help but chuckle at the moment — a masterclass in balancing dark drama with unexpected humor.
According to executive producer and writer Scott Reynolds, the line wasn’t in the script at all. In a recent interview, Reynolds revealed: “We were like, ‘That is genius.’”
The brilliance of this unscripted addition lies in its timing. In the middle of one of the most harrowing scenes of the season, Peter Dinklage managed to inject humor without breaking the emotional weight of the moment. Instead, it made Leon Prater feel even more unsettling — a villain capable of being both terrifying and unintentionally hilarious.
This small but impactful improvisation proves once again why seasoned actors like Peter Dinklage elevate every scene they’re in. With just a few unscripted words, he gave fans a moment they won’t soon forget, turning “Touched by an Angel” into one of the standout episodes of the Dexter saga.