Clyde Phillips opened up about three of the serial killers Dexter will face in the upcoming season, with some very interesting insights.
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| Brian Cox, Dan Stevens, and Gabriel Luna (Bauer-Griffin/Matt Infante) |
The upcoming season of Dexter: Resurrection is set to put our favorite antihero up against some very disturbing individuals. While some of this was first revealed through what we learned in Season 1 about the New York Ripper, as well as various official character descriptions, a recent interview with the show's creator is more enlightening than ever.
During his interview with Entertainment Weekly, which was accompanied by the release of four new exclusive stills from Season 2, Clyde Phillips revealed new information about not one, not two, but three brand-new serial killers that Dexter Morgan will have to take down.
The first two that immediately come to mind are the main villains of the season, Don Framt, also known as the New York Ripper, played by Brian Cox, and Lucas Stark, the Five Borough Killer, played by Dan Stevens. However, the showrunner also (surprisingly) shared some very interesting details about Ray Ballard, the Sleepy-Eyed Strangler, played by Gabriel Luna.
Don Framt's Twisted Method of Terror
Beginning with the eldest and definitely the most-talked-about serial killer in the sequel series so far, the New York Ripper, Phillips actually praised Brian Cox as an super powerful and prepared actor, saying that he brings a level of gravitas to the role that makes it believable that Don Framt could have committed the horrific crimes attributed to him.
Phillips also pointed out that despite meeting Framt in a wheelchair, the character is still capable of terrifying the survivors of his victims. He does this through disturbing phone calls, making sure that his presence continues to haunt the people left behind.
What Phillips revealed next, however, gives us an even better idea of just how twisted the New York Ripper really is.
According to the showrunner, Framt uses a voice modulator during his phone calls so that he cannot be recognized or identified if the calls are recorded. Phillips explained that his messages can be deeply personal, with Framt even reminding the relatives of his victims about important dates connected to those he killed. As an example, he described one call in which Framt tells a victim's relative, “Today would have been Rachel’s 40th birthday, you must miss her.”
The Five Borough Killer Wants New York's Attention
Up next, Phillips shared some very interesting details about the Five Borough Killer.
According to the showrunner, Lucas Stark is killing in each of New York City's five boroughs in an effort to terrorize the entire city. His murders will make him a figure that everyone is talking about, and that actually creates a frustrating situation for Dexter.
Phillips explained that despite Dexter's belief that he operates independently, there is still a part of him that wants recognition. By the time the Five Borough Killer has committed his first murder, he has already managed to capture the city's attention, with nobody knowing Dexter's true identity.
That appears to drive Dexter crazy, as Lucas is receiving exactly the kind of attention that Dexter can never openly seek for himself.
Ray Ballard's Disturbing Psychological Tactics
The conversation then turned to the Sleepy-Eyed Strangler, a character who, just like the New York Ripper, comes directly from Leon Prater's files.
When discussing the serial killer played by Gabriel Luna, Phillips revealed that Ballard actually has a very disturbing method of tormenting his victims.
Rather than immediately attacking them, Ballard breaks into their homes night after night and makes small changes to their surroundings, such as turning over picture frames and moving furniture. Phillips explained that he does just enough to make his victims feel haunted before eventually carrying out the horrific act that made him infamous.
It makes Ballard a very different kind of threat from the other killers Dexter will face in Season 2, as his crimes begin with psychological torment long before the final act.
Three Very Different Threats for Dexter
So there we have it. These are some fascinating new insights into what actually makes each of Season 2's twisted new serial killers so disturbing.
Each of them appears to have a very different approach. Don Framt terrorizes his victims' families from afar, Lucas Stark wants to control an entire city through fear and recongition, while Ray Ballard takes a much more... psychological approach.
It will be fascinating to see what Dexter Morgan learns from each of these dangerous individuals when Dexter: Resurrection Season 2 finally arrives on October 30.