After Dexter seemingly dies at the end of highly-anticipated Dexter prequel series, which will premiere in December 2024.

Dexter: Resurrection is expected to begin filming in January 2025, meaning that it's more than likely that showrunner Clyde Phillips has already worked out a proper method for convincingly carrying on the torch of Dexter, even after the titular protagonist was already confirmed to be dead at Dexter could be incarcerated in Resurrection, although that premise may be unlikely.

There are several key Dexter characters and villains who cannot appear in Dexter: Resurrection, although the fact that Debra and Harry have both returned as ghostlike figments of Dexter's imagination supposedly makes any character's return from the dead possible. In that regard, it would be interesting to see a fan-favorite character like Rita haunt Dexter in some capacity, especially if her children Astor and Cody return in the sequel series after mostly disappearing. Still, characters like Doakes, LaGuerta, Brian Moser, Trinity, Frank Lundy, and Hannah McKay will almost certainly not be appearing, unless, for example, Harrison lied about his "adoptive" mother dying in New Blood.

12 Harrison Morgan

Harrison Morgan, played by Jack Alcott in New Blood, is almost guaranteed to return to Dexter: Resurrection. Apart from Dexter himself, Harrison was the most central and crucial character in the 2021 revival series, going so far as to shoot his father dead in the heart in the New Blood finale. There's always the chance that Harrison may have run off after nearly killing Dexter, or if Dexter is actually dead, could become the new lead protagonist of the Dexter franchise, with his father appearing as his ghost as he sorts out his Dark enger. There are many directions in which Dexter: Resurrection can go, some good and others not so much, but Harrison seems like a safe bet to return no matter what.

11 Debra Morgan’s Ghost

Debra Morgan, played by Jennifer Carpenter, has been in all 106 episodes of the Dexter original series and New Blood, which makes her another shoo-in to appear in Dexter: Resurrection. At this point in the franchise, Jennifer Carptener's Debra is nearly as vital to the series as Dexter himself, considering their shared history as co-workers, confidants, and best friends. As the franchise progresses, it may become more difficult to have Debra in every episode unless she is confirmed to be the official replacement of Harry's Ghost who was seen throughout the original series. In any effect, it would be very surprising if Deb wasn't in the new Dexter series.

10 Harry Morgan’s Ghost

It may be a bit of a long shot for James Remar to reprise his role as Harry Morgan in Dexter: Resurrection, but it is certainly not out of the question. Remar was unfortunately not a part of Dexter: New Blood but is still very much active as an actor in both film and television, recently appearing in 2023's Oppenheimer and 2024's Megalopolis. Considering the new title of the series expansion, it would be as fitting of a time as ever for Remar to return as Harry's Ghost in addition to Debra's Ghost and potentially even Dexter's Ghost. Considering how integral he was in the original series, Harry's Ghost should really make an appearance in Resurrection, even if it's just for a cameo.

9 Angel Batista

Another beloved regular in the original series, and one of the few characters to appear in all 96 episodes of Dexter, is Angel Batista. Batista was also in several episodes of New Blood toward the end of the series, but viewers were certainly left wanting more after he was seemingly reintroduced and promptly forgotten about. If Resurrection truly does pick up right where New Blood left off, then Batista should absolutely be involved in an even greater way. A scenario in which Batista leads the hunt for Dexter after discovering he's the Bay Harbor Butcher would make Dexter must-see TV for the first time in years.

8 Vince Masuka

Masuka was one of the funniest characters in the original series but had no real purpose to be featured in New Blood given the change in setting. Masuka will be portrayed in Dexter: Original Sin by a new actor, but it would still be highly enjoyable if he somehow came along for the ride in a hypothetical manhunt for Dexter in Resurrection. It would be even more impressive if somehow Masuka ed the search for Dexter and was able to use his investigative skills against Dexter like Batista. What is arguably missing from Dexter at this point is a feeling of continuation for the original series legacy, which Masuka would certainly add a lot to.

7 Astor Bennett

Astor's role in Dexter becomes complicated and somewhat purposeless after the shocking death of her mother Rita at the hands of the Trinity Killer in season 4. Dexter doesn't really make an effort to hang around as a father figure after Rita's death despite taking a big interest in Rita's kids in the early seasons of the series. Astor, played by Christina Robinson, made her last appearance in Dexter season 7, episode 8 titled "Argentina", which is considered one of the best episodes of the series. Other than that, she is completely out of the picture in Dexter's final three seasons but could make a Harrison-esque reintroduction in Resurrection.

6 Cody Bennett

Cody and Astor are essentially a package deal in the Dexter universe since there are not too many characteristics that make them different. Cody, played by Preston Bailey in seasons 2 through 5, appears in just as many episodes of the original series as his big sister does, which means that if Astor is making a comeback in Resurrection, there's a very high probability that Cody will as well. There's still so much unknown going into Resurrection and Phillips may want to turn the page for good on the whole Rita Bennett family tree. Still, the return of Astor and Cody would be a monumental and fascinating plot point in the new series.

5 Joey Quinn

Joey Quinn is almost in the same boat as Masuka since their emergence in Resurrection after not appearing in New Blood would be exciting, but also strange and forced. Especially since Debra's character is now only accessible through Dexter's conscious, there aren't too many clear paths to get Quinn back into the series, unless, again, he decides to Batista in unraveling and exposing the truth about Dexter. Quinn could potentially follow up on the fact that Dexter killed Debra by taking her off of life in the original series finale. While his return may be a stretch, it would be intriguing to see Quinn back in the Dexter universe.

4 Jamie Batista

Jamie Batista never really had high stakes or a larger purpose in the original series but she is one of the several characters who could come along with brother Angel in the new sequel series. Her emergence would seemingly not really add much to the plot but could still add a layer of authenticity and nostalgia that New Blood was arguably missing. Jamie was a series regular in the final three seasons of the original series and made it all the way to the season 3 finale, an achievement that not many OG characters can claim.

3 Tom Matthews

Tom Matthews is another recurring character who never gets too involved in the main storylines of the Dexter original series. Despite this, Matthews, who is played by Geoff Pierson, has made appearances in all but one of Dexter's original seasons (he was not in season 3) and was featured in all twelve episodes of Dexter's final season. What's more, Pierson is still very active in both film and television, having appeared in The Terminal List, Grace and Frankie, City on Fire, and more all within the last two years.