Summary
Several key characters fromDexterare set to return in the highly anticipatedprequel seriesDexter: Original Sin. After Michael C. Hall reprised his iconic role as the charismatic vigilante serial killer Dexter Morgan in 2021’sDexter: New Blood,Dexter: Original Sinwent into development in February 2023. While it’s unclear whether Hall will appear onscreen in theDexterprequel series, which is set in 1991, fifteen years before the events ofDexterseason 1 take place, he is attached as an executive producer along withNew Bloodcreator andOriginal Sinshowrunner Clyde Phillips.
Dexter: Original Sinwill feature a new actor as the legendary titular character for the first time in the franchise’s celebrated history. TheDexterprequel series has also recast Debra and Harry Morgan, two of the most significant characters and family members of Dexter. The series will chronicle a post-college Dexter as he embraces his “dark passenger” through the guidance and teachings of his adopted fatherHarry, who has developed a code for Dexterto follow to satisfy his violent urges while making sure never to get caught.Dexterfeatured a variety of flashbacks of Dexter’s upbringingwith Harry and the formation of the code, which the prequel will expand further on.
The upcomingDexterprequel series will also chronicle the beginning of Dexter Morgan’s forensics career at the Miami Metro Police Department, which will bring back the original characters of Angel Batista, Maria LaGuerta, and Vince Masuka. Both of the original actors for Angel Batista and Debra Morgan appeared inDexter: New Bloodbut will be recast inOriginal Sin. It’s unclear whether another recurring Dexter character Joey Quinn will be involved in the prequel series but it’s unlikely since he joined the cast in season 3. A new character played byReno Wilson will appear inOriginal Sinas Harry Morgan’s best friend Bobby Watt.
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6Dexter Morgan
Patrick Gibson
Dexter Morgan was the titular protagonist in the celebrated original series and has only been played onscreen before by Michael C. Hall, with the exception of various younger actors for flashback scenes. AlthoughDexter is not based on a real-life serial killer, Dexter shares many of the classic personality traits with the infamous Ted Bundy. He’s attractive, confident, and therefore unassuming, which acts as his perfect disguise to cancel his “dark passenger”. Dexter, however, also discovers throughout the course of the original series that he is capable of love, especially through his relationships with his sister Debra, his wife Rita, and his son Harrison.
Patrick Gibson will become just the second actor ever to appear in a leading role as the notorious Dexter Morgan. Gibson is a 29-year-old actor from Ireland who isbest known for starring as Steve Winchell in the popular Netflix sci-fi fantasy seriesThe OA. He is also recognized for his role as Nikolai Lantsov in another Netflix fantasy series, Shadow and Bone. Gibson made his television debut in 2009 in three episodes of the historical drama seriesThe Tudors. He has also starred in several feature films such as the 2019 docudramaTolkienalongside Nicholas Hoult.
5Debra Morgan
Molly Brown
Dexter: Original Sinwill see the return of Dexter’s adopted sister Debra who also has a storied career at the Miami Metro Police Department. In the original series, Debra was introduced to working as an undercover sex worker and eventually worked her way up to more authoritative roles within the homicide department as the series expanded. Debra was played by Jennifer Carpenter, who was once the real-life wife of Michael C. Hall before the two split up in 2011.Debra is known for being a straight shooter with a tendency to use vulgar language. Her aggressive and hilarious style made her one of the staples of the original series.
A younger version of Debra will be played by Molly Brown in the upcomingDexterprequel series. Brown made her first television appearance in a 2016 episode of ABC’s legal dramaConvictionbefore appearing in a number of notable series in 2018, such asHigh Maintenance,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, andThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Brown recentlyappeared as Elizabeth Prince on the celebrated Showtime seriesBillionsand starred as Leslie in the notable Paramount+ original seriesEvil.
4Harry Morgan
Christian Slater
Although Harry Morgan wasn’t actually alive during the time period in which the original series was set, he was a hugely influential character on Dexter and appeared as a physical manifestation of Dexter’s mind throughout the series. Harry also appears in flashbacks of Dexter’s memories as he begins to instruct Dexter on his “code”. Harry, a former police officer, always did everything he could to protect Dexter despite his “dark passenger.” Ultimately,Harry Morgan overdosed on his heart medication when Dexter was 20after he caught Dexter dismembering a human body in what was believed to have been a death by suicide.
In what is arguably the most exciting casting news to come out of theDexterprequel series, Christian Slater will take the reins of Harry Morgan from James Remar inDexter: Original Sin. Not only does Slater have the natural look of Harry, buthis role as Elliot’s confidant in the celebrated seriesMr. Robotis a great indicationof how he will approach the role. Slater, 54, has starred in many classic films and television series such asTrue Romance(1993),Archer(2009-2023),Heathers(1988), andInterview with the Vampire(1994).
3James Martinez
Angel Batista
A younger version of Angel Batista will appear inDexter: Original Sin. Angel was one of the key characters in the original series who worked as a detective sergeant at the Miami Metro Police Department. The original Angel character was portrayed by David Zayas, whose other credits includeMichael Clayton(2007),The Expendables(2010), andThe Blacklist(2013-2023).Zayas recently reprised his role as Angel Batista inDexter: New Bloodbut will likely not appear in the upcoming prequel series due to the shift in time period. Angel eventually gets promoted to lieutenant in the original series.
Actor James Martinez will take on the role of Angel in his younger years at the Miami Metro Police Department. Like Brown, Martinez was also featured inBillions, and he also played Juan in the celebrated seriesThe Deucewith James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Martinez is likely best known for his recurring role as Armando Salazar in the Hulu/Disney original seriesLove, Victor(2020-2022). He also recently starred in the 2023 Paramount+ seriesWolf Pack,had a recurring role inHouse of Cardsseason 5, and even appeared in an episode ofBreaking Badin 2011.
2Maria LaGuerta
Christina Milian
Long-runningDextercharacter Maria LaGuerta is also set to return inDexter: Original Sin. LaGuerta always held a high-ranking position at the Miami Metro Police Department in the original series, starting as a captain before getting promoted to lieutenant, taking the lead on many of the criminal investigations that took place throughoutDexter’seight seasons.She had historically butt heads with Debra quite often in the original seriesand eventually becomes suspicious of Dexter in later seasons. LaGuerta is a force to be reckoned with whose no-nonsense approach to her job makes her a clear leader at Miami Metro.
Christina Milian will take over the role of Maria LaGuerta from Luna Lauren Velez inDexter: Original Sin.Milian is a notable pop singer and songwriter whose music career rose to prominence during the 2000s. She has appeared in several classic television series such asSister, Sister(1996),Smart Guy(1999),Charmed(1999), andThe Wild Thornberrys(1999).She sang the classic Kim Possible theme song “Call Me, Beep Me"and had several notable singles, including “Dip It Low” and “Gonna Tell Everybody.” She has recently appeared in several episodes ofFamily Guyand the Starz original seriesStep Up: High Water.
1Vince Masuka
Alex Shimizu
Vince Masuka is the lead forensic specialist for the Miami Metro Police Department in the original series.Masuka often worked alongside Dexter on cases and was known for his playfully vulgar and inappropriate sense of humor. Masuka was originally played by C.S. Lee, who has recently starred as Lee Jung-Gil in the celebrated Apple+ original seriesFor All Mankind. Since Dexter concluded in 2013, Lee has appeared in a wide variety of television series, includingBlue Bloods,Criminal Minds,True Detectiveseason 2,The League,Power,Sneaky Pete,Silicon Valley,Snowfall, andThe Rookie.
A younger Vince Masuka will be portrayed by actor Alex Shimizu in theDexterprequel series.Shimizu is best known for his roles as Tadashi Ito inThe Blacklistand Toshiro Furuya inThe Terror. Shimizu rose to prominence in the 2013 seriesAlien Downbefore appearing inPerson of Interest(2014) and one episode ofCommunityin 2015. Shimizu also appeared in one episode ofS.W.A.T.in 2019 and is expected to appear in the upcoming series Interior Chinatown alongside Jimmy O. Yang. It will be interesting to see whetherDexter: Original Sinwill capture the zany sense of humor and personality of Masuka that made him a fan-favorite character in the original series.
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Dexter
Cast
Dexter is a television series following Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police who secretly leads a dual life as a vigilante serial killer. Released in 2006, the show focuses on Dexter’s internal conflict as he hunts down criminals who elude justice within the legal system.
