Developing both the Dexter prequel and the sequel led to constant mix-ups in the writers’ rooms.
Not too long ago, the Dexter franchise was in full expansion mode. Paramount had multiple projects in active development, including the prequel series Dexter: Original Sin, the sequel Dexter: Resurrection, and a planned Trinity Killer prequel. Of those, only the first two actually made it to the screen, and at least for now, Dexter: Resurrection starring Michael C. Hall is the only series moving forward.
Developing that many shows at once naturally meant expanding the writers’ room and restructuring how the creative team worked. While the main focus was always on Original Sin and Resurrection, both of which received the green light from Paramount in 2023 and 2024, the process wasn’t without its complications. Balancing tone, continuity, and storytelling across multiple Dexter series proved to be a real challenge.
What many of you may not actually realize is that the writing for Dexter takes place in Los Angeles, specifically at CBS Radford Studios. This location served as the primary filming spot for Dexter: Original Sin up until Autumn 2024. During that period, the writing teams for Original Sin and Resurrection were largely the same, with only minor differences. Even more...unusual, both writers’ rooms were operating in the same building at the same time, something that showrunner Clyde Phillips later admitted caused more than a few mix-ups.
In a recent interview with Love It Film, Phillips opened up about how complicated, yet enjoyable, the experience was. Writing two Dexter shows simultaneously meant juggling ideas constantly, and sometimes those ideas landed in the wrong room.
According to Phillips, it became a common occurrence for him, to pitch what he thought was a great story beat, only to be told it belonged to the other series entirely! He recalled walking into one writers’ room, pitching an idea, being praised for it, and then realizing it was meant for the other show, prompting him to head upstairs and actually pitch it again.
Phillips also spoke about an important mindset writers need to have in a shared creative environment. He emphasized that writers can’t be too attached to their ideas, even when htey’re good ones. A pitch might be strong, but if it doesn’t serve the direction of a specific episode or season, it has to be set aside. That kind of decision-making, he explained, happens quite frequently in a writers’ room, especially when many projects are being developed at once.
This behind-the-scenes story proves just how demanding the writing process can be, particularly when a team is responsible for shaping two different Dexter series at the same time. The eventual cancellation of Dexter: Original Sin, whose writers’ room ultimately never reopened despite initial plans to do so in mid-2025, shifted all creative attention to Dexter: Resurrection. As of now, work on the second season of the sequel series is well underway and already nearing the halfway point.
With the Trinity Killer prequel’s first 10 episodes fully written but shelved indefinitely, the immediate future of the franchise rests on Dexter: Resurrection. While some fans actually see this narrowed focus as an opportunity for a tighter, more refined story, others still remain unconvinced.
Still, the first seasons of both Original Sin and Resurrection stand as proof that even with overlapping writers’ rooms, and creative confusion, the Dexter team was truly able to deliver two strong and compelling seasons.