Some fans may see the prequel as doomed, but it was an ambitious project that made real progress before quietly being sidelined.
There was a period when Paramount was clearly eager to expand the Dexter franchise, with multiple prequel and sequel ideas quietly circulating before becoming more concrete. This momentum started building in early 2023, following the first reports and, eventually, official confirmation from the company itself.
Those ambitions truly began to take shape in May 2024, when Dexter: Original Sin was officially announced, along with the casting of the Morgan family trio, signaling that the Dexter universe was actually entering a new phase.
Even during that time, and despite only sporadic updates about its development, the long-rumored Trinity Killer prequel remained very much alive behind the scenes. In fact, the project had progressed further than many realized, with its first 10-episode season eventually confirmed by the showrunners as fully written. This was not just a loose concept being discussed in meetings, but in fact a series that had already been carefully mapped out.
For those less familiar with the details, the Trinity prequel was planned as a period piece set decades before the events of Dexter Season 4. While the exact timeframe was never actually confirmed publicly, the most likely setting pointed toward the 1960s or 1970s. Beyond the hype-fueled comments from those involved, it was also confirmed that John Lithgow would serve as the show’s narrator, of course mirroring Michael C. Hall’s role in Dexter: Original Sin, a choice that definitely resonated with longtime fans.
Another strong indication that the series was close to receiving a greenlight was the involvement of a key creative figure behind the camera. The project had secured Marcos Siega as a director, a trusted name within the Dexterverse, and an ideal fit to shape the visual identity of the Trinity prequel.
This revelation came directly from Siega himself earlier this month during his appearance on The Dark Passengers Podcast. “I want the Dexter universe to expand. I’m ready to shoot that pilot,” he said, a statement that actually spoke volumes about how prepared the project truly was. He also shared another exciting detail that underscored just how far development had gone, revealing that he had already created a lookbook for the series.
A lookbook, for context, is essentially a visual roadmap for a show...or movie. It is a curated collection of images, references, and stylistic elements that define the overall mood, tone, and aesthetic. Directors and creative teams use it to align on color palettes, composition, and atmosphere long before cameras start rolling. The fact that a lookbook existed means that the Trinity prequel wasn’t...just written, but vsiually imagined in actual detail.
Despite all this progress, there is still no definitive official word from Paramount regarding the Trinity Killer prequel. Siega himself acknowledged that reality, saying, “I can’t tell you anything other than maybe someday it happens,” when asked about the possibility of the lookbook ever being released publicly. For now, it remains one of those behind-the-scenes artifacts that we fans can only imagine.
From Clyde Phillips’ perspective, the situation actually became even more complicated after the cancellation of Dexter: Original Sin. The showrunner, who oversees all current Dexter projects, had a series that was reportedly ready to move forward with a second season. Its cancellation effectively...confirmed that the Trinity prequel was sadly also off the table, at least under the previous circumstances. However, Siega’s recent comments have injected a renewed sense of optimism surrounding both projects.
While his interview didn’t include any concrete insider confirmation that Paramount’s new leadership plans to revive Dexter: Original Sin or greenlight the Trinity prequel, recent developments at the studio are still worth noting. Just days ago, Paramount canceled NCIS: Tony & Ziva, a sequel spinoff centered on two of hte franchise’s most beloved characters. Despite solid viewership numbers following its September premiere, the show was abruptly pulled, disappointing many fans.
This decision suggests that Paramount may continue scaling back its investment in franchise-based expansions, a strategy that was supported by former executive Chris McCarthy. Still, the entertainment industry has always a way of surprising us. Dexter actually remains a proven brand with a dedicated global audience, and the fact that scripts for both Original Sin Season 2 and the Trinity Killer prequel are already written cannot be ignored.
For now, the best thing we can do is keep the conversation alive. As Siega himself implied, continued interest and discussion matter. Sometimes, that strong and ongoing buzz is truly what helps turn a “maybe someday” into an official greenlight!