The upcoming season is set to bring back yet another element from the OG series, based on a behind-the-scenes tease from an executive producer.
Looking back at the original Dexter series, and especially the pilot episode which turns 20 years old this year, there was one small, almost guilty-pleasure habit that set Dexter Morgan apart from everyone else at Miami Metro. At least once a week, he would actually show up to work with donuts for his co-workers.
Known as the “Donut Guy,” this was one of Dexter’s subtle ways of blending in and appearing normal, and helped sell the idea that he was just a harmless lab geek who cared about his colleagues. While this habit faded in the later seasons of the original series, it made a symbolic return in Episode 1 of Dexter: New Blood, when Dexter brought a box of donuts to his boss, Fred Jr., at Fred’s Fish & Game.
Now, it looks like that tradition isn’t gone for good. In fact, it is set to make a comeback in Dexter: Resurrection Season 2.
During the tenth day of production for the upcoming season, executive producer and writer Scott Reynolds shared a spoiler-free behind-the-scenes tease on X. The photo featured a box of donuts, along with the caption: “While some things change… some things stay the same. Day 10 of production on Dexter: Resurrection.” It’s an actual hint that even though time has passed and Dexter is in a completely different setting, some habits definitely stick around.
What’s interesting is that the donut box in the photo is not from a fictional shop like Sadie’s Donuts from the original series. Instead, it appears to be from a real New York City spot called The Donut Pub, which could point to a bit of product placement in the new season.
The detail that caught fans’ attention, though, is the location, and it was obvious in the replies. The shop is based in NYC’s Astor Place, something visible on the logo in the image. That led some fans to believe it was a subtle hint that Astor, Rita’s daughter, might return in Season 2, not realizing Astor Place is an actual location in New York City!
It is not surprising that things like this one, which take us back to the original series, are always a hit with fans. But now the big question is how the donuts will factor into Dexter: Resurrection Season 2, and more importantly, who will be bringing them.
The obvious answer is Dexter himself, but there’s a strong chance it could be Harrison Morgan. With his new job in the upcoming season, that was revealed through recent set photos, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him pick up the same habit and bring donuts to his own co-workers. And of course, it wouldn’t just be a simple “like father, like son” thing.
If Harrison is stepping into a role within law enforcement, this kind of gesture could easily come from Dexter’s influence, as a small but also important piece of advice to help him look normal and approachable on the job. Especially considering that Harrison is still carrying the weight of killing Ryan Foster in the series premiere, blending in might be more important than ever for both of him and his dad.
At the same time, it’s just as possible that the gesture still belongs to Dexter. Since it’s been confirmed through set photos that he’ll continue working as a rideshare driver for the fictional UrCar company, handing out donuts to passengers could actually be a clever way to boost his ratings while keeping up appearances.
Both possibilities are fun and definitely fit with what we’re used to.
This is likely just one of many Easter eggs we’ll see in Dexter: Resurrection Season 2. With the OG show itself celebrating its 20th anniversary this fall, more callbacks to the original series are almost guaranteed throughout the 10-episode run. And it’s not only small details, since it has been confirmed that the iconic Dexter opening sequence is also set to return, this time with a reimagined twist.
Undoubtedly, these things are what make TV shows even more enjoyable. And they’re just as fun for the creative team to include, as they are for viewers to notice them.