It’s been 15 years since Dexter’s fifth season first premiered on Showtime.
It was September 26, 2010 when Dexter Season 5 premiered on Showtime. Fast forward to this past Friday, and it’s hard to believe 15 years have passed since the season that followed the legendary Trinity Killer storyline first hit our screens. That’s right—fifteen years since we watched Dexter Morgan pick up the pieces after one of the most shocking finales in TV history.
Season 5 had the unique challenge of airing right after the critically acclaimed and Emmy-winning Season 4, which introduced the unforgettable Trinity Killer (played by John Lithgow). While many fans at the time labeled Season 5 as “much weaker” by comparison, that reputation is largely a result of standing in the shadow of one of television’s greatest seasons.
When judged on its own merits, though, Dexter Season 5 remains an underrated and pivotal chapter in the series.
A Season of Loss, Change, and New Beginnings
Season 5 opens in the immediate aftermath of Rita’s brutal murder, leaving Dexter a widowed father grappling with grief, guilt, and the impossible task of maintaining his carefully constructed double life. Behind the scenes, new showrunner Chip Johannessen stepped in to guide the series forward, balancing the emotional fallout of Season 4 with the need to keep audiences hooked.
Despite the enormous pressure, Johannessen managed to deliver a season filled with moral complexity, a gripping new dynamic in Dexter’s relationship with Lumen Pierce, and enough suspense to keep viewers tuning in week after week.
For us here at Dexter Daily, Season 5 holds an extra layer of nostalgia: it was the first season we ever covered back in 2010. Which means this milestone is also a celebration of our own 15th anniversary as a dedicated source for all things Dexter.
To mark the occasion, we’ve gathered some fascinating behind-the-scenes facts and lesser-known things about Dexter Season 5 that even longtime fans may not know. Let’s dive in.
5 Things You Might Not Know About Dexter Season 5
1. Julia Stiles Wasn’t the First Choice for Lumen
Before Stiles was cast as Lumen Pierce, several other well-known potentially blonde actresses were considered for the role. The creative team needed someone who could balance quiet strength and vulnerability, a survivor capable of earning Dexter’s trust. Julia ultimately won the part in an audition that impressed both showrunner Chip Johannessen and the producers.
2. Julia Stiles Earned Emmy & Golden Globe Nods
3. On-Set Romance Rumors
As Season 5 aired, rumors swirled about a possible off-screen romance between Michael C. Hall and Julia Stiles. The speculation intensified after Hall and co-star Jennifer Carpenter announced their separation in late 2010. Fans pointed to the palpable on-screen chemistry between Hall and Stiles as “proof,” but Stiles quickly shut down the gossip, calling Hall a “good friend” and stressing that she had “absolutely nothing to do with the split.”
4. Michael C. Hall Wore a Wig All Season
Here’s a detail many fans completely missed: Michael C. Hall wore a wig throughout Season 5. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in late 2009, Hall underwent treatment that caused significant hair loss. Although he went into full remission by April 2010, production on Season 5 began before his hair had fully grown back. The wig was necessary until the end for continuity, even as his natural hair returned later in the season.
5. Season 5 Was Almost the End
Believe it or not, Dexter was originally planned to end with Season 5. Former showrunner Clyde Phillips envisioned the fifth season as the series’ grand finale. But Showtime, riding high on the show’s growing success, wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Phillips left the series after Season 4 to focus on family, and Johannessen steered the show in a new direction that kept Dexter’s story alive for three more seasons.
Why Season 5 Deserves a Rewatch
While it may never eclipse the brilliance of the Trinity Killer arc, Season 5 stands as an emotionally rich and narratively daring follow-up. It explores grief, redemption, and the blurred lines of morality with a quieter, more introspective tone that rewards a second look, especially for longtime fans that revisited the series ahead of Dexter: Resurrection.
Which of these behind-the-scenes facts surprised you the most?