The series was also set to introduce younger versions of Doakes and Matthews.
It’s been almost a month since Paramount unexpectedly canceled Dexter: Original Sin—just as plans for a second season were already moving forward. The decision came as a crushing blow to fans, who had quickly embraced the prequel. The backlash has been loud, with tens of thousands of signatures piling up on petitions to save the show.
The prequel starred Patrick Gibson as a young Dexter Morgan, and his performance continues to draw widespread praise. Fans now feel the sting of what’s been lost—not only Gibson’s take on the iconic role, but also the carefully assembled cast that so closely resembled their older counterparts. As we noted in a recent post, the series had enormous potential, something that showrunner Clyde Phillips himself confirmed in the new podcast interview with host Gareth Watkins.
What We Lost With Dexter: Original Sin’s Cancellation
Phillips, who admitted he was just as shocked and upset by the cancellation as the fanbase, revealed details about what Season 2 would have explored. One exciting reveal is that a young Thomas Matthews—Harry Morgan’s friend and a powerful figure at Miami Metro—was set to appear. Fans had speculated about his absence during Season 1, and Phillips confirmed that Matthews was always meant to be part of the prequel storyline.
Another fan-favorite character that would have eventually entered the story? A younger James Doakes. According to Phillips, Doakes wasn’t yet in Miami during Season 1’s timeline, but the plan was for him to join the department—perfectly aligning with Dexter’s canon.
Season 2 Would Have Explored Dexter & Brian Moser
Perhaps the most intriguing reveal from Phillips was what Season 2’s central arc would have been: the "relationship" between Dexter and his brother.
In the final moments of Dexter: Original Sin Episode 10, viewers saw Brian (played by Roby Attal) silently watching Dexter, Deb, and Harry share a joyful evening at a Miami restaurant. The jealousy in his eyes foreshadowed bigger things to come. Phillips confirmed that Brian’s return was a key part of the Season 2 storyline:
“Another thing we wanted to explore in a second season of Dexter: Original Sin was Dexter’s relationship with Brian. We wanted to flesh that out until the season kind of merged with the original show—and then we would end it.”
While Dexter wouldn’t learn Brian’s true identity until 2006, Phillips hinted that the writers had creative ways to make the story work.
Where Dexter: Original Sin Would Have Ended
The long-term vision for the prequel was clear: to show the parallels between Dexter and Brian, two brothers “born in blood” but raised on drastically different paths. Dexter, molded by Harry’s Code, versus Brian, who grew into a ruthless killer without rules.
Brian would periodically resurface, observing Dexter from afar, until the timeline caught up with Dexter’s 2006 pilot episode. In other words, Dexter: Original Sin was always designed to be a true companion piece to the original series, bridging the gap seamlessly.
Final Thoughts: Can Dexter: Original Sin Still Be Saved?
Hearing these revelations only deepens the frustration over Paramount’s decision to pull the plug. Fans were promised an authentic expansion of the Dexter universe, and Clyde Phillips’ vision proves the story still had so much to give.
But all hope isn’t lost. Nearly 93,000 fans have already signed the main petition to bring the show back—and the number keeps growing. If you believe Dexter: Original Sin deserves a second chance, add your name today.