Both the actress and fans agree this storyline was one of Dexter’s biggest missteps.
Throughout its original run, Dexter had plenty of highs and lows. While many seasons of the hit Showtime series remain fan favorites, there are two that often spark debate and criticism: Season 6 and the much-maligned Season 8. These chapters in Dexter Morgan’s story are frequently ranked lowest by fans, largely due to questionable creative choices made by the writers.
Interestingly, it isn’t just the fanbase that has voiced frustration with these decisions, members of the cast have spoken out as well. The latest to do so was Jennifer Carpenter, who played Debra Morgan for all eight seasons of Dexter and reprised her role in Dexter: New Blood.
During the Dexter cast reunion panel at Scaradise in Tampa, Florida that took place on October 4th, Carpenter didn’t hold back when asked about storylines she would erase from the show.
Jennifer Carpenter on the Infamous Debra-Dexter Romance Plot
Carpenter, who has long been outspoken about her disappointment with the Season 8 finale and Debra’s controversial death, spoke for the first time about another storyline that still bothers her: the Season 6 twist that revealed Debra was in love with her adoptive brother Dexter.
During the fan Q&A, an audience member asked the cast which plotlines they wished they could rewrite. Carpenter immediately jumped in:
“I’ve got one. Can you guess?” she teased the audience before continuing, “When they said that the adopted brother was her new love interest?!”
Her quick and candid response drew laughs and applause but also underscored just how strongly she disapproved of the creative decision. It leaves fans wondering if she felt the same way back in 2011 when she first read the script, or if her distaste for the storyline has only grown stronger with time.
Why the Debra-in-love-with-Dexter Storyline Was So Controversial
Season 6 of Dexter already had its fair share of heavy material, from the Doomsday Killer arc to Debra’s promotion to Lieutenant. But things took a shocking turn when her therapist, Dr. Michelle Ross, suggested that Debra’s lifelong dependence on Dexter was actually a form of romantic attraction.
Through therapy sessions, Debra came to realize that her bond with her adoptive brother went deeper than sibling love. This revelation reached its peak in the Season 6 finale—the same episode where Debra walked in on Dexter killing Travis Marshall.
Fans were stunned, not only because of the taboo nature of the storyline but also because of the timing. The plot was introduced just months after Jennifer Carpenter and Michael C. Hall had finalized their divorce. While both actors remained professional and respectful toward one another, the decision to include a romantic subplot between their characters made the whole situation feel uncomfortably personal.
To make matters worse, a dream sequence even featured Debra and Dexter kissing, a scene that many viewers still rank among the most awkward and unnecessary moments in the series.
Showrunner Scott Buck defended the choice at the time, claiming the “Debra loves Dexter” angle had always been embedded in her character’s DNA. But for most fans, it felt forced, out of character, and completely unnecessary.
Fan Backlash and Lasting Impact
Jennifer Carpenter’s recent comments only reinforce what fans have felt for years—that the Debra-in-love-with-Dexter storyline was a mistake that never should have made it past the writers’ room.
Final Thoughts
More than a decade later, Dexter remains a show fans love to discuss, dissect, and debate. But certain creative missteps—like Debra’s romantic feelings for Dexter—continue to stand out as frustrating “what were they thinking?” moments.
Carpenter’s honesty about the storyline is refreshing and shows that even the actors felt the same discomfort fans did. And perhaps that’s why her words at Scaradise struck such a chord, because when it comes to this controversial plot twist, everyone seems to agree: it never should have happened.