It seems the upcoming second season is set to do something no other season has ever done before.
If you look back at the original Dexter series since it first premiered nearly 20 years ago, there’s an obvious pattern in how each season was built. Almost every time, the story either started with (or eventually centered around) one main antagonist going up against Dexter Morgan.
That formula actually stuck around even after the original finale. We saw it again in Dexter: New Blood, then in the prequel Dexter: Original Sin, and even in the first season of Dexter: Resurrection. But now, Season 2 of Dexter: Resurrection, which is currently filming in New York City, looks ready to change things in a big way. For the first time, the show is introducing two major villains right from the start.
Both of these new antagonists actually share some similarities. They are male, well-known for their crimes, and based on what we know so far, they both show a sadistic side toward their victims. The two killers in question are Don Framt, also known as the New York Ripper, played by Brian Cox, and Owen Stark, the Five Borough Killer, portrayed by Dan Stevens. One important detail that connects them is that both killers “taunt” their victims and the authorities.
According to the official Season 2 character details, the New York Ripper is no longer actively killing, but he hasn’t fully disappeared either. Instead, he’s using some new ways to stay relevant by taunting the relatives of his victims and keeping his name alive.
Owen Stark, the Five Borough Killer, has some different methods, but is just as dangerous. He taunts the police with phone calls, threatening to kill innocent people, and when he actually does, the fear spreads across the city. As a result, both the public and law enforcement are nervous.
Even with a big age gap between them, these two killers present a very serious challenge for Dexter. The New York Ripper was teased several times in the season before, something the show had never really done before in its 20-year history. On the other hand, the Five Boruogh Killer came as a surprise, especially since many expected the Ripper to be the only main villain in Season 2.
Instead, the creative team behind Dexter: Resurrection, led by Clyde Phillips, decided to break the usual rule and go with two central antagonists. And yes, it is a big change for the series.
The reason behind this decision hasn’t been officially confirmed, but it might be connected to how popular the New York Ripper became with fans during Season 1.
In a recent interview, the showrunner hinted that the character’s role was expanded more than it was originally planned, because of that strong reaction. That could mean the Five Borough Killer was already planned, and rather than removing him, the writers actually chose to keep both villains in the story.
Whether this approach will work is still unknown, but both Dexter and Harrison will need to be extra careful anyway. Don Framt may be around 80 years old and in a wheelchair, but that doesn’t automatically make him harmless. Meanwhile, Owen Stark is half the Ripper's age and likely more capable (physically) than Dexter, which makes him more dangerous.
Looking back at previous seasons, Dexter usually struggled enough with just one main enemy, and the weekly antagonists could contrubute to that too.
Season 1 gave us his own brother, Brian Moser, the Ice Truck Killer. Season 2 focused more on the Bay Harbor Butcher case, with Lila and Doakes acting as threats but not true central villains. Season 3 had Miguel Prado, a friend turned enemy (the Skinner was never considered a Big Bad), while Season 4 introduced Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer, arguably the most impatcful villain in the OG series. Season 5 followed with Jordan Chase, Season 6 actually teased two killers but revealed Travis Marshall was acting alone, and Season 7 brought Isaak Sirko. In Season 8, Oliver Saxon, the Brain Surgeon, took that role.
Later on, Dexter: New Blood introduced Kurt Caldwell as the main villain, while Season 1 of Dexter: Resurrection featured Leon Prater, the billionaire obsessed with serial killers but never killed someone, until he killed Batista to save Dexter.
So...yes, Season 2 is really shaping up to be one of Dexter Morgan’s biggest challenges yet. But, if Season 1 proved us something, it is that our favorite antihero can actually adapt. After waking up from a 10-week coma and arriving in New York City, he showed a level of confidence and control that really surprised many of us.
Now it all comes down to the writing. With two main villains for the first time in the show’s history, Season 2 of Dexter: Resurrection could deliver some interesting twists and turns!