The acclaimed actor recently sat down to discuss his dual role in the Dexter sequel.
One of the most surprising additions to the cast of Dexter: Resurrection Season 1 was without a doubt David Dastmalchian. While his name might not immediately ring a bell for casual viewers, his face certainly does.
Over the past decade, Dastmalchian has appeared in some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters and most acclaimed projects, carving out a reputation as one of the most intriguing character actors. His talent for playing complex characters made his casting in Dexter: Resurrection feel almost inevitable, but this time, there was a twist.
For the first time in the history of the Dexter franchise, the show introduced twin serial killers. Known only as Gareth, the infamous “Gemini Killer(s)” were the FBI’s most elusive criminals, so elusive, in fact, that no one realized there were two of them. No one, that is, except Dexter Morgan. Their story began to unravel when Dexter crossed paths with them through Leon Prater’s gathering of serial killers, marking the beginning of the end for both twins.
Dexter eventually killed the first Gareth, believing it was over. But soon after, he discovered the shocking truth: there was another one. Just hours later, in a tense and unforgettable sequence, Dexter eliminated the second Gareth.
In a recent conversation with Collider, David Dastmalchian opened up about the challenges and creativity involved in bringing the Gemini Killers to life. He explained how deeply he collaborated with the creative team, saying that he sat down with showrunner Scott Reynolds to map out the twins’ timelines, then discussed the characters in detail with executive producer Clyde Phillips.
“By the time I was working with each of the directors,” Dastmalchian recalled, “we had a really great plan of action. It helped me think about who I was at which time, and it gave me a backstory for which twin took on which responsibility.”
He also shared how liberating it was to work on Dexter, describing the experience as creatively freeing. The actor reflected on the show’s distinctive tone, saying that its “high-suspense, drama, horror” world allowed him to really explore and stretch his performance, leaning into the heightened, almost mythic qualities of the story.
Although some fans were disappointed when the Gemini Killer arc wrapped up so quickly—especially after Episode 7, it’s undeniable that Dastmalchian’s portrayal left a big impression. His dual performance, full of arrogance, became one of the standout elements of Season 1.