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Dexter: Original Sin: What we know so far

Dexter: Original Sin: Synopsis, cast, and more

Michael C. hall sitting in a chair on Dexter
Showtime

The folks over at Showtime can’t resist giving us all of the Dexter we could possibly want (which makes sense, as it’s one of the best shows on Paramount+). After bringing the character back for Dexter: New Blood, which gave the character the ending many felt he was robbed of at the end of the actual series, it seems we’re now moving in the other direction.

Warning: The rest of this post contains spoilers for Dexter: New Blood

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Because Dexter dies at the end of New Blood, there wasn’t any real opportunity for another season of New Blood. Instead, they’ve gone with a prequel, Dexter: Original Sin. The new show will feature a new cast, and here’s what we know about it.

What’s the plot of Dexter: Original Sin?

Michael C. Hall in Dexter
Showtime

Reporting around Original Sin first emerged in 2023, and it was suggested that Showtime might also be looking at origin stories for multiple characters from the series. Most notably, reports suggested that a prequel for John Lithgow’s Trinity Killer may also be in the works.

This series will be focused on Dexter’s early years, though. According to the official synopsis:

“[The series follows Dexter (Gibson) as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry (Slater), he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcements’ radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.”

The series takes place in 1991, which is roughly 15 years before Dexter began in Miami. Of course, the original Dexter featured some flashbacks that may overlap with this timeline, and it’s not currently clear how the show will interact with the flashbacks fans have already seen.

Who is in the cast for Dexter: Original Sin?

Michael C. Hall in a poster for Dexter.
Showtime

According to reporting in Variety, Patrick Gibson will be playing the younger Dexter, while Molly Brown will play his sister, Debra, and Christian Slater will play his father, Harry. In addition to recasting these principal figures, the series also cast James Martinez as Angel Batista, an “up-and-coming homicide detective who leads with his heart,” Christina Milian as Maria LaGuerta, Miami’s first female homicide detective, and Alex Shimizu as Vince Masuka, the “forensic analyst who eagerly shares his expertise while relishing the chance to boss around his new intern, Dexter Morgan.” Reno Wilson has also been cast as Harry’s partner, Bobby Wyatt.

Dexter (2006) Official Trailer | Michael C. Hall SHOWTIME Series

Is there a trailer for Dexter: Original Sin?

Dexter: Original Sin | Official Trailer | Paramount+ With SHOWTIME

A full-length trailer for Dexter: Original Sin was recently released, and we’re excited to discuss the two-minute preview’s details. The trailer opens with Dexter dying in the hospital, presumably at the end of Dexter: New Blood. Dexter: Original Sin will then be Dexter looking back on his life and what got him to this point, hence the narration in the background of Dexter saying, “Your life really does flash before your eyes.”

The trailer gives fans a mashup of Michael C. Hall’s narration of young Dexter, along with Christian Slater depicting Dexter’s dad, Harry, guiding him through his earliest serial killer urges. The preview gives fans a chance to see how Dexter will be depicted by both Hall and Gibson in unison, and the results look to be promising.

When is the release date for Dexter: Original Sin?

Dexter: Original Sin will premiere on Showtime and Paramount+ with Showtime on December 13. The series will air weekly until the season finale on February 16, 2025.

Joe Allen
Contributor
Joe Allen is a freelance culture writer based in upstate New York. His work has been published in The Washington Post, The…
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