This is the first time Carpenter has opened up about how she (and the rest of the cast) felt about that twist.
When fans think back to the original Dexter series, there’s no shortage of shocking, unforgettable moments across its 96 episodes. But even after sixteen years, one twist still stands above the rest — the tragic death of Rita Morgan in the Season 4 finale, “The Getaway.”
For first-time viewers binge-watching Dexter today (and somehow avoiding spoilers on social media) the final scene of the so-called Trinity Killer season delivers one of television’s most haunting gut punches. Rita’s death didn’t just change the course of Dexter Morgan’s life, but also the tone of the entire show.
To fans, losing Rita meant losing Dexter’s anchor, the one person who gave him a sense of normalcy and love. But for the cast, and especially actress Julie Benz, the moment was just as heartbreaking behind the scenes.
Over the years, Benz has spoken candidly about the sudden decision to kill off Rita after four seasons, often admitting how emotionally difficult it was to say goodbye to the character. Her recent appearance at Scaradise 2025 in Tampa, Florida, offered fans even more insight, and some never-before-shared stories from that emotional time.
During the Dexter panel on Saturday, October 4, a fan asked Benz how she felt back in 2009 when she learned her character’s fate. Her response was heartfelt and raw:
“It was most devastating for me. I only found out at the last minute that that was going to happen. I was incredibly sad. I felt like I had let Rita down — that maybe if I had advocated more for her in the writer’s room, things could have been different. Let’s be honest, in Seasons 3 and 4, Rita was a little silly, and I felt that as an actress. But I let it slide, and I was absolutely devastated.”
While Benz had previously shared pieces of that story, she also revealed a touching behind-the-scenes moment from her final day on set, one that fans will find both funny and bittersweet.
“On the day of filming, my wonderful husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, surprised me with a little ‘funeral’ party in my trailer. He decorated it with tombstones and everything. Since all I had to do that day was play dead in a bathtub, I was doing tequila shots in my trailer and made a celebration out of it.”
But beneath the humor, the loss ran deep.
“It was hard. I went through a real mourning period — grieving the show, the character, and the fact that I wasn’t invited to dinner anymore. And when I say that, I mean not being able to go to work with these amazing people I loved. It was really hard. I even went back to therapy to process it. That’s how much I loved playing Rita.”
Jennifer Carpenter Shares Her Emotional Reaction
In a touching moment during the same panel, Jennifer Carpenter opened up for the first time about how Rita’s death affected the rest of the cast.
“It was awful for all of us,” Carpenter said emotionally. “It was a surprise to everyone. Julie is a light — the heartbeat of the show and of the set. So it was a major, major loss.”
Benz softly added, “It was really hard. It’s still hard.”
Carpenter’s rare public reflection took fans by surprise, especially since it’s uncommon for Dexter cast members to openly express disagreement with the writers’ creative choices. Interestingly, this wasn’t the only time she voiced dissent during the event, as she also mentioned she wished the controversial Dexter and Debra romance storyline in Season 6 had never happened.
A Moment That Still Resonates
Sixteen years later, Rita Morgan’s death remains one of the most memorable and emotionally charged moments in Dexter history, not only for fans but for the people who brought it to life. Julie Benz’s honesty and Jennifer Carpenter’s heartfelt support remind us just how deeply this show touched everyone involved.
What do you think about Jennifer Carpenter’s comments? Were you shocked by Rita’s death when you first saw “The Getaway”? Share your thoughts in the comments below!