Who will step into the role of the New York Ripper in the upcoming season? Here are ten well-known actors who would be perfect for the part.
Preparations for Season 2 of Dexter: Resurrection are officially underway in New York City. The production office now open and with the creative team deep in pre-production, the upcoming season is quickly taking shape. Filming is scheduled to begin on April 13, which actually means key stages of the process (especially casting) are already moving forward behind the scenes.
While many of the show’s main cast members are expected to come back, including Michael C. Hall, James Remar, Jack Alcott, Kadia Saraf and Dominic Fumusa, the team is also actively searching for actors to fill some major new roles. One character in particular has us extremely curious, because he is finally expected to appear on screen in the flesh. That character is Don Framt, better known as the infamous New York Ripper.
Within the series, the New York Ripper is an elusive serial killer who terrorized the citizens of New York for decades. His crimes are notoriously brutal with 22 confirmed victims, all murdered using a manhole cover hook in disturbing attacks. Despite vanishing years ago for reasons that are still unexplained, the Ripper hasn’t completely disappeared. Instead, he continues to haunt the families of his victims through disturbing phone calls and messages, something that actually keeps the fear alive long after the killings stopped.
Based on details revealed Season 1 Episode 7 of Dexter: Resurrection, we believe that the Ripper is older than Dexter himself, likely somewhere between 55 and 70 years old.
Ever since the first season aired its weekly episodes, this figure has been at the center of fan discussions. Viewers actually spent months speculating about the Ripper’s identity, with countless theories suggesting that the killer might secretly be a character we already knew. But eventually it was confirmed that the New York Ripper is not someone we have met before. He is in fact an entirely new character, which is something that shuts down those theories for good.
The strong interest by the fans for the Ripper seems to have had an impact on the creative direction of the show as well. According to what we know so far, the character is expected to play a larger role in Season 2. This of course raises the possibility that the actor cast to portray him could be a major name.
Recent casting announcements like Uma Thurman and Peter Dinklage joining the series prove that the production is not actually holding back when it comes to star power. With that in mind, we believe that the role of the New York Ripper could easily go to another high-profile performer capable of matching the hype that is surrounding the character.
So with all that in mind, here are 10 famous actors who would be perfect to play the New York Ripper in Season 2 of Dexter: Resurrection.
1. Kevin Bacon
At 67, Kevin Bacon is still one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood. Over the course of his long career he has won many awards and taken on a variety of roles. Television fans will remember him especially from The Following, which aired between 2013 and 2015.
Interestingly, that show was heavily shaped by director and executive producer Marcos Siega, who now holds the same role on Dexter: Resurrection. Bacon has played his share of morally complex characters over the years, something that actually makes him a great fit for the role of the Ripper.
2. Sean Penn
Slightly younger than Bacon, Sean Penn would also make a very intriguing choice. While he is rarely cast as a traditional villain, Penn has built a career playing morally gray and psychologcally layered characters. His recent role in Daddio even showed him portraying in a convincing way a New York City cab driver, which proves that he can capture the atmosphere of the city perfectly. And we think that this kind of grounded intensity could actually work very well for a character like the New York Ripper.
3. Bryan Cranston
What the previous months had us learn is that for many fans, Bryan Cranston would be the dream casting choice. Best known for his performance as Walter White (aka Heisenberg) in Breaking Bad, Cranston is now 70 and still delivering really strong performances across television and film.
Interestingly, both Breaking Bad and the original Dexter actually concluded in 2013, linking the two shows in television history. Seeing Cranston return to a villainous role opposite Michael C. Hall would be a moment many of us would absolutely love.
4. Matthew McConaughey
One of Hollywood’s biggest names, Matthew McConaughey has built a very impressive career across dozens of films. At 56, he might be slightly younger than some fans imagine the Ripper to be, but his range as an actor is actually undeniable.
While we are used to see him casted as a heroic or charismatic lead, he has also played darker characters in films like Killer Joe and The Dark Tower. His ability to be intense and also unpredictable could definitely make his version of the Ripper chilling.
5. Mads Mikkelsen
Few actors of our era have built a reputation for memorable villains quite like Mads Mikkelsen. Film fans know him from dozens of roles, but television audiences still associate him with his amazing performance as Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal.
Seeing Mikkelsen step into another serial killer role (this time facing Dexter Morgan) would be very compelling. At 60, he is also right in the perfect age range for Don Framt.
6. Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe, now 70, has spent more than four decades delivering unforgettable performances. His filmography can be easily described as enormous, and he’s played some of cinema’s most memorable villains.
One of his most iconic roles remains Norman Osborn in Spider-Man (2002). Dafoe’s unique screen presence could actually make the New York Ripper a truly terrifying character!
7. Vincent D'Onofrio
Vincent D’Onofrio is praised by many people for his ability to completely transform for a role. At 66, he’s already delivered some iconic villain performances, most notably as Wilson Fisk in Daredevil and Daredevil: Born Again, both set in New York City as well. While some might feel another NYC-based villain could actually seem...repetitive, D’Onofrio’s range would make his version of the Ripper feel unique.
8. Ralph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes is another actor whose career spans both heroic and of course, villainous roles. Many viewers still associate him with the terrifying Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series, but his performances have covered everything from romantic leads to historical dramas.
9. Jim Carrey
This might be the most unexpected pick on the list, but we definitely support it. Jim Carrey is best known for his legendary comedic performances mostly in the 1990s, but throughout his career he has repeatedly proven he is capable of far more dramatic roles.
Movies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Truman Show, and Man on the Moon demonstrated just how versatile he actually is. And considering how psychologically twisted the New York Ripper appears to be, Carrey’s ability to dive deep into...unusual characters could make for an awesome interpretation!
10. Giancarlo Esposito
Finally, there’s Giancarlo Esposito, whose career exploded thanks to his portrayal of Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. In recent years he has become one of television’s most recognizable villains, appearing in shows like The Boys and The Mandalorian. His calm style could actually make for a very different (and extremely...unsettling) version of the New York Ripper.
So...now the big question remains. Which of these actors would you most like to see playing the New York Ripper in Season 2 of Dexter: Resurrection? And if you have another actor in mind for the role, feel free to share your pick in the comments!