It still seems very likely that this character’s story isn’t over yet.
In Hollywood, it’s not very common for actors with long and successful careers to feel attached to a role that they genuinely want to reprise it. It’s even rarer when that role was relatively brief. But when it comes to Dexter, the unexpected always finds its way back.
Over the years, Dexter has shown that even actors who appeared more than a decade ago remain open to return, and sometimes, they actually do. We’re talking about big talents with strong film and television backgrounds, like Jimmy Smits and John Lithgow, both of whom made fans emotional with hteir returns in the premiere of Dexter: Resurrection. While it might seem like just another part of the job, their decision to come back goes far beyond a paycheck. It actually is about revisiting characters they love, and of course, characters fans adore.
But among all the familiar faces, one performer from Dexter: Resurrection’s first season has stood out for her impact and also her strong desire to return, despite her character’s apparent death.
Introduced during the 10-episode inaugural season that streamed over the past summer, Krysten Ritter’s portrayal of Mia Lapierre, also known as Lady Vengeance, became one of the most memorable and well-written new characters of the sequel series. Though she only appeared in roughly three episodes, her presence left quite a significant mark on the audience.
Ritter has been extremely busy in recent years, with high-profile TV and film projects, including her highly anticipated return as Jessica Jones in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2. Yet, even with her packed schedule, she hasn’t stopped thinking about Dexter: Resurrection. Over the past few months, she’s praised her collaboration with Michael C. Hall, describing it as a “masterclass,” and has repeatedly said in interviews that she’d be open to reprising her role as Lady Vengeance and perhaps even leading her own spinoff.
Unfortunately, with the new leadership at Paramount+ having reportedly shut down plans for any other Dexter spinoffs, Ritter’s only remaining chance to step back into the role of Mia Lapierre which was a serial killer who Dexter believed followed a code similar to his own, would be to return in Dexter: Resurrection Season 2.
The problem, of course, is that Mia was last seen lying dead in Episode 6 of Season 1, titled “Cats & Mouse.” That final image convinced most viewers that Lady Vengeance was gone for good. But Ritter doesn’t seem ready to let her go.
When asked again recently by ScreenRant about the possibility of returning, Ritter didn’t hesitate: “Yes, I would definitely be open to it. I loved playing Mia and I loved my experience on Dexter. The cast, the crew, many of whom I know from Jessica Jones, made it feel like home.” She also described Lady Vengeance as a “very rare character, one that dosen’t come across my desk often.”
For most of us, Mia Lapierre’s fate seems sealed, but for Ritter, it seems like the story feels unfinished. Her friendship with Scott Reynolds, dating back to the Jessica Jones era of the mid-to-late 2010s, was actually the reason this role existed in the first place. While the initial intention may have been to develop a Lady Vengeance–centered spinoff, that plan now appears to be off the table. The only way for Ritter to return to the character she loves so much is through Dexter: Resurrection’s second season.
Some fans might find the idea of her return far-fetched, but this wouldn’t be the first time Dexter has brought someone back from the dead. The prime example is Dexter Morgan himself, whose death was ultimately undone, explained by the freezing temperatures of Iron Lake that slowed his blood loss. This means that if Dexter can cheat death, Lady Vengeance certainly could too.
Ultimately, it all comes down to showrunner Clyde Phillips and executive producer Scott Reynolds, the creative minds behind Dexter: Resurrection. If they decide to bring Lady Vengeance back, perhaps revealing that she faked her death with help from Charley Brown and a corrupt prison guard, fans could easily see her story continue. And given Ritter’s open entusiasm for the role, her creative connection to Reynolds, and the fact that the three-episode arc was written specifically for her, her return feels likely.