As it turns out, Luna may be the most patient actor ever to play a villain in the Dexter franchise, and he explained why.
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| Gabriel Luna as The Sleepy-Eyed Stranger and Michael C. Hall in Dexter: Resurrection. (Photo credit: Matt Infante/Paramount+) |
This story contains spoilers for the latest episode of Dexter: Resurrection Season 2.
Episode 3 of Dexter: Resurrection's second season featured one of the show's most intense scenes so far, with Ray Ballard eventually ending up wrapped in plastic on Dexter Morgan's kill table. However, it actually turns out that filming the scene was quite an unusual experience for Gabriel Luna, the actor behind the Sleepy Eyed Stranger.
During separate interviews with Gold Derby and Entertainment Weekly, the actor shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes details about what happened while the cameras weren't rolling. And apparently, his experience was so unusual that it even caught the attention of one of the show's executive producers.
Gabriel Luna Stayed on Dexter's Kill Table Even When He Wasn't Needed
In Episode 3, titled "Live Free and Die," Ballard ends up on Dexter's table in the wine cellar basement of the townhouse at 67 Beekman. During one of the scenes, Dexter and Charley have a very interesting conversation with each other, while Luna remains wrapped in plastic in front of them.
Although the scene focuses on the two leading characters of Dexter: Resurrection Season 2, Luna decided to stay on the table rather than have the crew remove him between setups.
In his interview with Gold Derby, the actor explained that he actually found the experience comfortable. Whenever the crew asked whether he wanted to get up between takes, he declined, realizing how much extra work it would create for the props department and set decoration team to remove him and put him back each time.
He saw no reason to make things more difficult for the crew, especially since he was perfectly happy lying there. As Luna put it, "I'm a team player, man."
His decision to stay put apparently paid off in an unexpected way, too. According to the actor, executive producer Scott Reynolds later told him that he had set a new record for the amount of time an actor had spent on Dexter's kill table.
Gabriel Luna Apparently Set a Record for Time on Dexter's Table
It looks like the record covers more than 20 years of the franchise, which makes it an even more impressive achievement. Luna himself actually seemed amused by the accomplishment, especially considering how iconic the image of a victim wrapped in plastic on Dexter's table has become.
During his interview with Entertainment Weekly, Luna also revealed a few more details about how the production team made sure he was comfortable throughout the experience.
He had a small pillow, a juice cup with a straw so he could drink without getting up, and even a fruit cup whenever he needed a snack. In fact, one of the assistants would sometimes feed him while he was still lying there. Luna described it as being fed "like a baby bird."
But his willingness to stay on the table was not only about making things easier for the crew. He also explained that he simply didn't like wasting time at work. Instead of stepping away to play his guitar or grab something to eat at craft services, he preferred to remain there and take in the experience of being Dexter's next victim.
"I just don't like to waste time at work," Luna explained, adding that he actually wanted to feel the terrifying experience so he could fully get into the scene when the cameras started rolling again.
For Luna, staying on Dexter's kill table was just a practical way to make the most of his time on set. But it also turned into an unexpected part of... Dexter history, giving him a record that had apparently stood by someone else for more many years now.
Interviews via Gold Derby and Entertainment Weekly