In a rare interview, the beloved actor opened up about all things Dexter.
Some TV characters leave such a lasting impression that their presence lingers long after they’re gone. Dexter’s James Doakes is one of them. Despite dying early in the series, the no-nonsense Miami Metro sergeant remains a fan favorite—so much so that many viewers rank him above the show’s titular antihero, Dexter Morgan, even nearly two decades later.
Doakes’ enduring popularity owes much to meme culture. His infamous line—“Surprise, motherf**ker!”—from Dexter Season 1, Episode 12 (“Born Free”) became an internet sensation shortly after the episode first aired. Writers Daniel Cerone and Melissa Rosenberg could never have imagined that a single piece of dialogue from a shipping yard scene would still dominate pop culture conversations 19 years later. Yet here we are.
Of course, the character’s staying power is also thanks to the magnetic performance of actor Erik King, whose intensity and charisma made Doakes unforgettable. King recently reprised his role in Dexter: Resurrection’s series premiere on July 11. Following his comeback, King sat down with Darek Thomas of Monday Morning Critic to discuss stepping back into Doakes’ shoes and reflecting on his original run.
(Editor’s note: Portions of the interview have been edited for clarity and flow.)
On Returning as James Doakes
“It was an honor to be asked back,” King said. “Doakes has been dead since 2007, so I never expected this. In Dexter, Harry has always been the conscience on Dexter’s shoulder. Doakes returning is different—it’s all in Dexter’s mind, a vision rather than a constant presence. I had no idea they’d bring me back, tt was a total surprise.”
Revisiting a Character After Nearly Two Decades
“Getting to co-create a character with the writers and then revisit him is a gift,” King reflected. “As an actor, you fall in love with your characters—you know their mission, their needs, everything that makes them human. Putting Doakes back on after all these years felt incredible. Man, it felt good. Though,” he laughed, “I had to hit the gym first.”
Why Fans Love Doakes
“At first, I’m not sure people liked Doakes,” King admitted. “I used to hear, ‘Leave Dexter alone!’ But over time, viewers realized he was just doing his job. By the end of Season 2, when Doakes is in the cage and he and Dexter finally connect, you see their humanity. They’re two pit bulls who’ve been going at it for two seasons, but in the end, they recognize each other. Doakes even offers to help Dexter turn himself in.
“In another universe, maybe they would have teamed up,” he added. “Doakes had killer instincts of his own—we all know that.”
Was Doakes Killed Off Too Soon?
“No actor wants to leave a show they love,” King said. “I adored the cast, the crew, the story. We all started with the pilot not knowing it would become a juggernaut 20 years later. Of course I missed being part of it.
“The producers were kind—they called me ahead of time to let me know Doakes would die and gave me some of the best episodes of Season 2. Fans always say, ‘They killed him off too soon!’ But honestly, Doakes couldn’t have lasted four seasons just saying, ‘I’m watching you, motherf**ker,’ without discovering something. Once he got close to the truth, the show had to evolve.
“If I had to go, it’s better to leave people wanting more than to overstay and have fans say, ‘This character has jumped the shark.’”
Did the Writers Ever Regret Killing Doakes?
“The writers never said they made a mistake,” King revealed. “They always honored the work and the character. I think they knew from the start Doakes had a short shelf life. In Jeff Lindsay’s Darkly Dreaming Dexter novels, Doakes actually loses all his limbs—so the trajectory was always that he’d be a relentless pit bull chasing answers. It was always going to be about two seasons.”
Watch the full interview with Erik King below to hear more about his return, his thoughts on Dexter’s enduring legacy, and more.
Photo credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images