Did Leon Prater deceive Dexter about not being a serial killer himself?
Dexter: Resurrection is now nine episodes deep into its gripping first season, and among its stellar cast, one name stands out: Peter Dinklage. The Emmy-winning actor, beloved worldwide for his unforgettable portrayal of Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones, has stepped into the Dexter-verse in a role unlike anything fans could have anticipated.
Dinklage plays Leon Prater, a wealthy and eccentric philanthropist whose fascination with serial killers instantly set him apart when he was introduced in Episode 4, “Call Me Red”—the longest episode in Dexter history. From the moment he appeared on screen, Prater captivated viewers. Deranged yet charismatic, mysterious yet oddly likable, his obsession with hosting serial-killer gatherings in New York City painted him as one of the most unusual characters in the franchise’s history.
Dexter Meets Leon Prater
When Dexter Morgan, disguised as Ronald Schmidt (the so-called Dark Passenger Killer), first encounters Prater, he’s shocked to discover that despite Prater’s disturbing hobby, he insists he’s never actually killed anyone. His amused, almost mocking reaction to Dexter’s suggestion—laughing at the idea that someone of his status and wealth could be a murderer—was one of the season’s most memorable moments.
But was Leon Prater telling the truth, or was he cleverly hiding behind his fortune and influence?
The Shocking Twist in Episode 9
In the recent behind-the-scenes post-mortem featurette for Episode 9, “Touched by an Ángel”, Peter Dinklage confirmed that Prater had indeed never killed anyone… until now. In a jaw-dropping twist, Prater fatally shoots Angel Batista in order to save Dexter from Batista’s wrath.
“The Batista murder is horrific and really unexpected, and it’s a pivotal moment for Prater because it’s the first time he’s actually ever killed anybody,” Dinklage revealed.
The scene is nothing short of devastating. Batista, a fan favorite since the early seasons of Dexter, takes five bullets in the back before dying inside the vault. For Prater, however, the act is exhilarating. Having just discovered that Dexter is truly the Bay Harbor Butcher, he kills not out of necessity, but out of a twisted sense of devotion—and excitement.
A Disturbed Mind Unleashed
Prater’s mental instability only becomes clearer as the episode unfolds. After killing Batista, he even turns on Dexter, attempting to murder him in Bay Harbor Butcher fashion for disobeying his earlier order to kill Batista himself. This chilling shift proves just how unstable—and dangerous—Prater truly is.
Dinklage himself compared Prater to cult leader Charles Manson, noting:
“He is a bit like Charlie Manson who sent out his minions, and he didn’t actually kill anybody physically himself. So it is a strange thing for him to actually be the perpetrator of it. Sad that he gets a thrill out of it.”
Does Leon Prater Now Fit Harry’s Code?
Leon Prater’s shocking first kill changes everything. By murdering Angel Batista—a man Dexter once considered family—Prater has crossed a line he can never return from. For the first time, Dexter has a clear justification to place him on Harry’s Code hit list.
The question that now haunts fans heading into the season finale: Will Dexter Morgan put Leon Prater on his table?