Some interesting new behind-the-scenes information from way back in 2021 has been revealed.
Back in early 2022, when Dexter: New Blood aired its final episode, it was supposed to mark the definitive end of Dexter Morgan’s story. That finale was actually designed to fix what many fans still considered the biggest mistake in the franchise’s history: the infamous 2013 “lumberjack ending.” Instead of bringing closure, however, New Blood reignited controversy and sparked even more backlash, with a large portion of the fans refusing to accept that Dexter was actually dead.
As with many big television moments, there was far more happening behind the scenes than viewers ever knew at the time. Conversations, and doubts among the creative team largely stayed out of the public eye, until now.
That changed thanks to a recent interview with director Marcos Siega on The Dark Passengers Podcast, where he finally opened up about what was really discussed during the production of Dexter: New Blood.
During the interview, Siega reflected on talks that took place in 2021, while the 10-episode season was still being filmed. At that point, it was more than clear that Michael C. Hall had signed on for just one season. He believed Dexter’s journey should end there, once and for all, which forced the writers to craft a finale that left no room for survival. As Siega bluntly put it, “That’s the ending Michael wants.” And so, the decision was made: Dexter would die.
In fact, the final scene was filmed incredibly early in the production schedule. By the second week of shooting, the team had already captured the confrontation between Dexter and Harrison at the snowy Iron Lake woods. During the same interview, Clyde Phillips actually revealed that the scene was even rehearsed in the writers’ offices on a Saturday, largely because Jack Alcott, who played Harrison, was understandably nervous and still new to the role. The moment was meant to be decisive, and emotionally irreversible.
What fans didn’t know until now is that Siega, along with other members of the production, had serious reservations about killing Dexter at all. Even though they ultimately appreciated how the scene turned out, doubts lingered. Siega openly admitted during the podcast, “I’m going to go on record and say I actually tried to pitch that he didn’t die.”
He went on to explain that while filming in Shelburne Falls, he and Michael C. Hall were sharing a house. One night, Siega suggested shooting an alternate ending, expressing concern that killing Dexter outright might be a mistake. Hall’s response, however, was firm: “Nope, I'm done. This is it where he's dying.” He had made up his mind. Dexter’s story, in his view at the time, was over.
Fast forward a little more than a year after the controversial New Blood finale, and everything changed. Marcos Siega and Michael C. Hall reunited under completely different circumstances, working together on the music video for “Come of Age,” a song by Hall’s band, Princess Goes.
The project was filmed in Manhattan and directed by Siega, and according to several recent interviews, it was during this period that Hall first began to reconsider Dexter’s fate and actually express interest in bringing the character back.
Why Hall was so opposed to any alternative ending in 2021, only to change his mind two years later, remains unknown. What matters most to fans is the outcome. Dexter Morgan returned. Not only that, but Dexter: Resurrection has been confirmed as a multi-season series, signaling a long-term future for the character once thought dead for good.
Judging by the first season alone, that change of heart may go down as one of the best decisions Michael C. Hall has ever made.