The universe of Dexter continues to grow with the addition of a prequel series, and here's everything to know about the first season of Dexter: Original Sin. Based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, Dexter debuted on Showtime in 2006 and follows the titular character who uses his forensic skills to artfully dispatch criminals who he believes weren't sufficiently punished by the legal system. With its twisting plot and intentionally gray morality, Dexter became one of the defining series of the Aughts and maintains a cult following years later.

Though the original series went off the air after 8 seasons in 2013, the Dexter franchise had already grown through the release of animated webisodes called Dexter: Early Cuts. It wasn't until the debut of 2021's Dexter: New Blood that fans were finally given a modicum of closure following Dexter's unpopular finale. Unfortunately, New Blood also proved to be divisive, but it didn't dampen the spirits of fans who still wanted more from the franchise. Now, a prequel has arrived that finally brings back the chills, thrills, and twists of Dexter in the 2020s.

Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Critical Reception

A Modestly Well-Recieved Return For Dexter

Though any follow-up to Dexter is destined to be somewhat divisive due to its cult status, Dexter: Original Sin got modestly strong reviews from most critics. Averaging 68% on Screen Rant considered the full scope of the first season to say that it excelled at fleshing out the characters.

• Dexter: Original Sin Episode 9 Review - I'm So Relieved The Prequel Solved One Of The Biggest Dexter Original Series Mysteries
• This Brutal Dexter: Original Sin Scene Finally Convinced Me That Patrick Gibson Is A Perfect Replacement For Michael C. Hall
• Dexter: Original Sin Subtly Foreshadows Deb’s Tragic Season 4 Romance

Dexter: Original Sin season 1 concluded on February 14, 2025.

Dexter: Original Sin Cast

Patrick Gibson Plays Young Dexter

The role of young Dexter went to The OA star Patrick Gibson, and he takes over the part originally played by Michael C. Hall. For his part, Hall returned to serve as narrator. Dexter's younger sister Deb is played by Molly Brown, whis best known for making a name for herself on shows like Billions. Finally, Dexter and Deb's adoptive father, Harry, are played by veteran character actor Christian Slater. Legendary Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar plays CSI Chief Tanya Martin.

Continuing the trend of recasting original Dexter characters with younger actors, James Martinez is Angel Martinez. Likewise, Christina Milian plays Maria LaGuerta, and Alex Shimizu took over the role of Vince Masuka. Reno Wilson was also cast in the role of Bobby Watt, a new character that wasn't in the original series. Grey's Anatomy alum Patrick Dempsey plays Captain Aaron Spencer, the seasoned vet who runs the department while Dexter begins his internship.

The cast of Dexter: Original Sin includes:

• Dexter: Original Sin Reveals Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Character Is Responsible For Deb’s Best Original Series Arc
• Dexter: Original Sin Brutally Foreshadows Deb & Dexter’s Worst Moment From The OG Season 1 Finale

Dexter: Original Sin Trailer

Watch The Teaser Below

Along with the December 2024 release date, Showtime and Paramount+ revealed the first teaser for Dexter: Original Sin. Narrated by Michael C. Hall, the teaser shows young Dexter beginning his career while also burgeoning into a serial killer. As the narration suggests, Dexter believes he wasn't born evil, but was simply shaped by the people and events that happened around him. Through quick clips, the short tease offers the first clear look at several new characters, and even hints at some shocking moments as well.

Dexter: Original Sin Ending & Spoilers

Some Catharsis & A Lot Of Bloodshed

Believing himself a brutal monster, Dexter hits a crossroads where he can either live up to that idea or forge another path.

The ending of Dexter: Original Sin season 1 was somewhat constrained by the future of the original series, but that didn't stop it from delivering a few twists and a few setups for season 2 as well. As is usually the case in the franchise, Dexter gets a measure of revenge while grappling with the disparate halves of his personality. Believing himself a brutal monster, Dexter hits a crossroads where he can either live up to that idea or forge another path. All this makes for a finale that is as fitting as it is surprising.

• Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Episode 9 Ending Explained – Why Dexter Lets THAT Villain Escape
• Aaron Spencer's Fate In Dexter: Original Sin Season 1 Creates A New Bay Harbor Butcher Mystery About The OG Series
• Dexter: Original Sin Season 2 - Will It Happen? Everything We Know