Dexter's original controversial ending in 2013, it was renewed through several spin-offs in subsequent years. New Blood fixed the conclusion, but it still ended Dexter's story after he was abruptly shot. Dexter: Resurrection is an show that will bring the character back to form, but Original Sin has already provided more insight into its star. The show premiered on December 13 on Paramount+ with Showtime and the ten-episode season will run through February 14, 2025.
In an interview with Screen Rant's Zak Wojnar, Clyde Phillips explained that the New Blood finale was "the most-watched episode in the history of Showtime," which convinced the network to order a sequel. While the showrunner worked diligently on the follow-up show, an MTV and Paramount executive asked for a prequel instead. Check out his full explanation below:
The way New Blood worked is, and what I wanted to say to social media [was]... They went crazy when Dexter was shot, which just showed me how much they loved the character and loved the show. But at that time, I only had Michael C. Hall for one year, so I had to end the show. And then it turned out that the finale, which I was privileged enough to write, was the most-watched episode in the history of Showtime. And Showtime immediately ordered a sequel, for which I got my writers back together.
We wrote all 10 episodes, and that was for Showtime and Gary Levine, the president of Showtime. And then Chris McCarthy from MTV Entertainment and Paramount came along and said... "I don't believe in sequels. I want to do a prequel. Can you come up with a prequel?" And so I did. I pitched it to him and Gary, and then Chris said four words at the end of the pitch: "Phenomenal. I love it." And the next thing I know, I've got my writers back together, and we're banging out the prequel, which is Original Sin.
What The Early Approval Meant For Dexter: Original Sin
The Show Ties Into Dexter's Resurrection
Dexter: Resurrection, which is expected to be released in summer 2025, will serve as the sequel to New Blood. Because Phillips and the other writers developed the sequel before the prequel, they were already aware of the nature of Dexter's next steps. That helped them tie Resurrection into Original Sin. Original Sin reveals how Dexter survived being shot, allowing it to serve as nothing more than a memory for the recovering killer as he prepares for the sequel. Without knowing the details of Dexter's survival, the show would likely be very different.
If not for the early approval, it could have been three or four years before the next Dexter show began streaming.
The early approval also allowed for a quicker rush to production. New Blood's finale premiered on January 9, 2022, meaning it took less than two years for the prequel to premiere after the show ended. If not for the early approval, it could have been three or four years before the next Dexter show began streaming. Worse still, it might have been even longer before Resurrection found its way to Paramount+, so the early approval meant that production proceeded relatively easily.
Our Take On Dexter: Original Sin's Approval
The Show Is A Delightful Return To Form
Much like New Blood, the prequel has already proven to be a return to form for the show. Original Sin's brilliant cast has been able to embody the core characters, though it has struggled to provide much insight beyond what is already established about each star. As the episodes continue, it will likely delve deeper into Dexter's dark nature, but the pilot has only briefly delved into anything truly compelling so far. Still, it is great that Dexter: Original Sin is doing well with its casting and plotting and is poised to excel as it ties into Resurrection.
Dexter: Original Sin
- Release Date
- December 15, 2024
- Network
- Paramount+ with Showtime
Cast
Christian SlaterHarry Morgan
Patrick GibsonDexter Morgan
WHERE TO WATCH
Dexter: Original Sin explores the origins of Dexter Morgan as he transitions from student to serial killer in 1991 Miami. Guided by his father, Dexter channels his dark urges through a moral code while starting a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.
- Producers
- Clyde Phillips, Michael C. Hall, Robert Lloyd Lewis, Mary Leah Sutton, Tony Hernandez, Lilly Burns
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