Before Dexter: Resurrection, a Harrison spinoff already had ten fully written episodes ready to go.
It’s no secret that when Dexter: New Blood ended its one-season run in early 2022, audiences were left divided. The finale, which saw Dexter Morgan meet his end, sparked endless debates online. Yet despite killing off its main character, Showtime wasn’t ready to close the book on Dexter. Behind the scenes, the network had ambitious plans to expand the story into a full-fledged franchise.
A little over a year after New Blood’s finale, major entertainment outlets began reporting that Showtime was developing multiple Dexter projects, each focusing on different characters from the universe. Among the earliest concepts were a prequel centered on a young Dexter Morgan (Dexter: Original Sin), a Trinity Killer origin story, and a direct sequel following Dexter’s son, Harrison. These announcements had fans intrigued, but not necessarily in a good way.
The Reactions to the Spinoff Announcements
When those plans first surfaced, many fans were still bitter about how New Blood concluded. The way Dexter’s death was handled left viewers feeling betrayed, and the idea of spin-offs felt unnecessary and even disrespectful to the character’s legacy. Out of all the announced shows, one stood out as the most controversial: the Harrison-based sequel.
Often referred to as Dexter: New Blood Season 2, this follow-up was meant to pick up right after Harrison killed his father and escaped Iron Lake. The story would follow him as he struggled with the darkness that seemed to run in his blood.
Michael C. Hall Steps In and Everything Changed
By late 2023, work began on Dexter: Resurrection, and just seven months later, the project was officially announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. With this new direction confirmed, the Harrison spin-off, despite having a full 10-episode season written, was quietly shelved for good.
What Was the Cancelled Harrison Spinoff About?
That decision left us wondering: what would the cancelled Harrison sequel have looked like?
According to credible information we received here at Dexter Daily in early 2023, the series would have picked up immediately after the events of New Blood. After killing Dexter, Harrison would flee (again) to New York City. There, he would begin to understand the darkness inside him (a version of the “Dark Passenger”) while trying to find a new sense of morality.
A short series description read:
After killing his father, Harrison gets lost in the crowds of New York City, trying to find himself. Haunted by his father’s Dark Passenger but guided by his own moral compass, Harrison gives in to his killer instincts, but according to a code of his own. His new life includes a violent romance and an unusual mentor, all while attending New York University.
Showtime’s Vision: Dexter 2.0
Based on everything we learned, Showtime’s idea was clear: they wanted Harrison, played by Jack Alcott, to become Dexter 2.0. The show would explore how his father’s influence shaped him, much like the “lesson” Dexter gave during the kill scene with Kurt Caldwell in New Blood.
Interestingly, Dexter: Resurrection does include faint echoes of that scene. In its first episode, Harrison’s violent confrontation with Ryan Foster hinted that he might share his father’s darker tendencies. But as the season progressed, it became clear that Harrison was actually different. Instead of embracing his darkness, he felt remorse and resisted it, which of course is a major departure from the direction the cancelled spinoff would have taken.
How It Differs from Dexter: Resurrection
In contrast, Dexter: Resurrection took a more redemptive approach. Harrison’s girlfriend Gigi (so far) seems normal, and his resurrected father works as an emotional support, and also a mentor of some sort.
What Fans Wanted, and What They Got
When we ran a poll here on Dexter Daily after the first spinoff announcements back in 2023, more than 11,000 fans voted. The results spoke for themselves: 75% wanted a show where Dexter somehow survived the New Blood finale, 22% preferred a version where Dexter appeared as a ghostly guide to Harrison, and only 3% supported a Harrison-led story without Dexter at all.
It’s clear now that the majority of fans won big. But it’s also true that at the time, Harrison wasn’t well... exactly a fan favorite. Many saw him as an ungrateful and moody teenager who often clashed with his father for no real reason, and his decision to kill Dexter in the finale made him even harder to root for.
Thankfully, Dexter: Resurrection has completely changed that perception. Harrison is now more layered, more self-aware, and finally likable again. Fans are seeing him not just as Dexter’s son, but as his own complex character: flawed, conflicted, but ultimately good at heart.
The Legacy of What Could Have Been
No doubt, the cancelled Harrison spinoff remains one of the most intriguing “what ifs”. A version of Harrison consumed by his Dark Passenger, living by his own code, and finding love and mentorship in violent ways.
But in hindsight, Showtime’s decision to bring Dexter back feels like the right call in so many ways, especially after the very strong and positive feedback. Still, the question is: what if Harrison had become Dexter 2.0? Could he have carried the franchise on his own?
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!