The two actors joined 'Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine' to discuss their roles.
The first season of Dexter: Resurrection not only shifted the story to a brand-new location, but also introduced fans to a roster of fresh faces who quickly became integral to the series. Among them are Kadia Saraf and Dominic Fumusa, who joined the reboot as series regulars and left a lasting impression with their memorable performances and striking on-screen chemistry—despite their characters being complete opposites.
Interestingly, both actors began filming weeks before their casting was officially announced, keeping their roles under wraps until the showrunners were ready to reveal them.
Recently, Saraf and Fumusa appeared on Ilana Levine’s podcast Little Known Facts to talk about their experiences working on such an iconic franchise, the process of embodying their characters, and some behind-the-scenes details that fans will love. A fun connection here: Levine, the podcast host, is also Fumusa’s wife, and the two have been married since 2002.
The interview was recorded weeks before the Season 1 finale aired, which meant the actors had only seen snippets of the final episodes at the time. One standout moment they discussed was the now-famous dance scene in Episode 10, where Melvin Oliva and Claudette Wallace groove to the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.” Fumusa revealed that Saraf actually choreographed the routine herself, and the pair rehearsed for weeks before filming to perfect the scene.
Dominic Fumusa on Working with Clyde Phillips and Playing Melvin Oliva
Fumusa reflected on his longstanding professional relationship with showrunner Clyde Phillips. He first met Phillips back in 2012 when Phillips took over as showrunner for Nurse Jackie. The collaboration continued years later when Phillips cast him in Amazon’s Goliath. Fumusa shared that being offered the role of Melvin Oliva in Dexter: Resurrection was a thrill, given their history and Phillips’ creative vision.
When asked about playing Oliva, Fumusa explained how the character dynamic felt entirely new, especially paired alongside Claudette Wallace. He described Claudette as “like no other detective on television,” noting that Kadia Saraf brought such authenticity and depth to the role. Having played police characters before, Fumusa emphasized that Dexter: Resurrection felt different—both in tone and in the way it pushed into fresh storytelling territory.
Kadia Saraf on the Experience of Playing Claudette Wallace
Saraf, who portrays the uncompromising and enigmatic Claudette Wallace, opened up about her approach to the role. She described an unexpected sense of calm that carried her from the very first day on set. Normally, she admitted, she experiences anxiety and nerves when stepping into a new project—especially as a guest in what can feel like “someone else’s house.” But with Dexter: Resurrection, she felt surrounded by a protective energy that allowed her to relax and fully immerse herself in the character.
Saraf also touched on the immense weight of joining a franchise with such a massive global fan base. While she had seen the original Dexter series, she decided against rewatching it before filming, explaining that she wanted to keep a fresh perspective and avoid approaching the role from a viewer’s mindset. Instead, she focused on carving out her own space in the story and bringing something unique to Claudette Wallace.
With the first season now wrapped, it’s clear that both Saraf and Fumusa made their mark on the Dexter universe. Their passion, preparation, and undeniable chemistry brought two unforgettable characters to life, and we are eager to see what comes next for Claudette and Melvin in future seasons.
You can watch the full interview with Kadia Saraf and Dominic Fumusa on Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine below.