Dexter: New Blood Explained

Developer:Clyde Phillips
Showrunner:Clyde Phillips
Starring:
Music:Pat Irwin
Language:English
Country:United States
Num Episodes:10
Network:Showtime

Dexter: New Blood is an American crime drama mystery television miniseries developed for Showtime as a continuation of the series Dexter, developed by original series showrunner, Clyde Phillips, and directed by Marcos Siega.[1] The show features Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter reprising their roles as Dexter and Debra Morgan, respectively, alongside new cast members Jack Alcott, Julia Jones, Johnny Sequoyah, Alano Miller, and Clancy Brown. The story is set ten years after the events of the original series finale, "Remember the Monsters?", which was broadcast in 2013. It premiered on Showtime on November 7, 2021.

It was confirmed in February 2023 that a second season, centered on the character of Dexter's son Harrison, was in development for broadcast at a later date. In addition, a prequel show, Dexter: Original Sin was ordered to series.[2] [3] In July 2024, it was announced that the planned second season of New Blood will instead be followed by a series titled Dexter: Resurrection.

Premise

After faking his death ten years ago in a hurricane, Dexter Morgan has moved to the fictional small town of Iron Lake, New York, hiding his identity under the name of Jim Lindsay, a clerk at a local wilderness sporting gear store. He has a romantic relationship with the town's chief of police Angela Bishop, and has been successfully suppressing his vigilante serial killing urges. Dexter's deceased sister, Debra, is an imaginary presence he often speaks to.

In the first episode, his estranged son Harrison from his previous life arrives unannounced with mysterious motives. A string of incidents around Iron Lake causes Dexter to fear that the "Dark Passenger" within him, and potentially within his son, will reveal itself.[4]

Cast

See also: List of Dexter characters.

Main

Special guest stars

Recurring

Production

Development

The series finale of Dexter, in which Dexter flees Miami and ends up as a lumberjack in Oregon, was polarizing to the show's fans, according to lead actor Michael C. Hall. He said "I think the ending was 'mystifying' at best to people. 'Confounding', 'exasperating', 'frustrating' — on down the line of negative adjectives."[5] Hall had been asked by fans in the eight years since the finale aired if there would be a follow-up to the show. Original showrunner Clyde Phillips, who had left the series after season 4, saw those questions asked of Hall and over time discussed possible ways to continue Dexter as some type of redemption, but could not figure out an appropriate route. Phillips was contacted by Showtime president Gary Levine on July 1, 2019. Levine told Phillips that he felt the time was right to bring back Dexter and asked if Phillips could come up with something. Phillips wrote a preliminary script which he then shared with Hall, who loved the idea.

Phillips recognized the ending had suited the time when it was broadcast, as around 2013, there were a number of real-life serial killers known to be living in Oregon and nearby states. Phillips also considered that by surrounding himself with chainsaws, Dexter was under a constant reminder about how his mother had died. As Phillips was unsure of the intent that the finale was meant to deliver, he decided to incorporate a major timeskip, nearly a decade from the end of events of the original series. Dexter has since moved to the fictional town of Iron Lake, New York and is living under a pseudonym, working in an outfitter shop selling guns for hunting and has ingratiated himself comfortably into the local community. Because of that, Phillips did not consider the miniseries as a ninth season, since there was a major discontinuity in the serialization of the story. As the writing staff wrote out the ten-episode miniseries, they established how the series would end and wrote backwards from that. Phillips claimed that "The ending of this one will be stunning, shocking, surprising, unexpected. And without jinxing anything, I will say that the ending of this new season that we're doing will blow up the internet."

On October 14, 2020, the Dexter revival was ordered as a limited series consisting of 10 episodes, starring Hall in his original role, with Phillips returning as showrunner.[6] On November 17, 2020, it was announced Marcos Siega would direct six of the ten episodes of the limited series as well as serving as an executive producer alongside Hall, John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Bill Carraro, and Scott Reynolds.[7] It premiered on November 7, 2021, on Showtime.[8] While a second season had been considered, Showtime ceased moving forward on it by the end of January 2023, instead pivoting to a prequel series about a younger Dexter.[9]

Casting

In January 2021, Clancy Brown, Julia Jones, Alano Miller, Johnny Sequoyah, Jack Alcott, and David Magidoff joined the main cast.[10] [11] [12] On February 11, 2021, Jamie Chung and Oscar Wahlberg were cast in recurring roles.[13] On June 28, 2021, John Lithgow joined the cast to reprise his role as Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer, in a cameo appearance.[14] On July 13, 2021, it was announced that original series regular Jennifer Carpenter would reprise her role as Dexter's sister Debra in some capacity for the limited series.[15] On August 24, 2021, it was reported that Carpenter is confirmed to reprise her role as a series regular, appearing as Dexter's "imaginary iteration of Debra".[16]

Filming

Production began in February 2021, with most of the show filmed in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, serving as a stand-in for Iron Lake. Exterior filming had to be coordinated around the weather, as the creators wanted to have a significant amount of snow in those shots, including a local frozen lake. Interior filming at New England Studios started around July 2021 over a fifty-day period.[17] The series developer Clyde Phillips said there were 119 days of filming.[18]

Additional filming locations were on Rt 117 in Lancaster, Grafton (https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/2022/01/06/dexter-new-blood-ending-might-include-episodes-shot-grafton/9110429002/) Bolton (Nashoba Regional High), and Shirley (Bull Run Restaurant), Massachusetts.

Reception

Critical response

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 77% based on 56 reviews, with an average rating of 7.20/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Anchored by Michael C. Hall's still-compelling portrayal of the title character, Dexter: New Blood helps restore some of the luster lost by the show's contentious finale."[19] Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 61 out of 100 based on 29 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]

Hall also won TVLine's Performer of the Week ending January 15, 2022, for the finale episode.[21]

Awards and nominations

Hollywood Critics Association TV AwardsAugust 13, 2022Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Dramadata-sort-value="Phillips, Clyde, Alexandra Franklin" Clyde Phillips, Alexandra Franklin, and Marc Muszynski [22]
Saturn AwardsOctober 25, 2022Best Action-Thriller Television Series: Network/CableDexter: New Blood[23]
Best Actor in a Network or Cable Television SeriesMichael C. Hall
Best Supporting Actress in a Network or Cable Television SeriesJulia Jones
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Network or Cable Television SeriesJack Alcott
Shorty Awards2022Audience Honor in TelevisionDexter: New Blood[24]
Best in TelevisionDexter: New Blood

Future

In February 2023, it was announced that Dexter: New Blood will continue with a story centered around Dexter's son, Harrison Morgan. In the new season, a continuation of the series, the character struggles with his own violent nature and whether he will follow in his father's footsteps.

A prequel series titled Dexter: Original Sin is also in development with a straight-to-series order. Depicting the earlier years of Dexter's life, the show will follow his years after college graduation, and his first introduction to various characters from the original series. Members of his family will feature as main characters.

Additional spin-off series, depicting the origins of various other characters from the original show including the Trinity Killer are also in development. The new franchise is being overseen by Clyde Phillips, creator of Dexter. The multiple television shows will be developed through Showtime's merger with Paramount+. A sequel series titled as Dexter: Resurrection was announced with Michael C. Hall reprising his role as Dexter at San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, 2024.[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Porter . Rick . July 25, 2021 . Dexter Revival Unveils First Trailer . live . July 25, 2021 . The Hollywood Reporter . November 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211128212912/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dexter-revival-trailer-1234988136/.
  2. Web site: Dexter, Billions Spinoffs in the Works as Showtime Doubles Down on Franchise Plan . The Hollywood Reporter . Lesley . Goldberg . February 6, 2023 . February 7, 2023.
  3. Web site: "Dexter: Origins" – Prequel Series Ordered by Showtime Plus "Dexter: New Blood" Will Continue . Bloody Disgusting . John . Squires . February 6, 2023 . February 7, 2023.
  4. Dexter Tries to Ditch His Serial Killer Past in New Trailer for Revival Dexter: New Blood . Joe . Blisten . July 26, 2021 . July 26, 2021 . . July 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210726151353/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/dexter-new-blood-trailer-revival-michael-c-hall-1202140/ . live.
  5. Web site: Dexter: New Blood creators want to redefine Dexter's original finale with new ending that'll 'blow up the internet' . LaToya . Ferguson . July 26, 2021 . July 26, 2021 . . November 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211105093035/https://www.polygon.com/22594107/dexter-ending-new-blood-2021-episodes-comic-con . live.
  6. Web site: Dexter Revival Ordered at Showtime; Michael C. Hall Returning for 10-Episode Limited Series . TVLine . Michael . Ausiello . October 14, 2020 . October 14, 2020 . October 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201014215315/https://tvline.com/2020/10/14/dexter-revival-showtime-season-9-michael-c-hall/ . live.
  7. Web site: Dexter Revival Enlists Director Marcos Siega (Exclusive) . The Hollywood Reporter . Lesley . Goldberg . November 17, 2020 . July 25, 2021 . October 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211024094928/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dexter-revival-enlists-director-marcos-siega-exclusive-4093817/ . live.
  8. Web site: Showtime Sets Dexter Limited Series Premiere Date At Comic-Con@Home . Deadline Hollywood . Rosy . Cordero . July 25, 2021 . July 25, 2021 . November 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211102083459/https://deadline.com/2021/07/showtime-dexter-comic-con-1234799297/ . live.
  9. Web site: Dexter: New Blood Season 2 Is Dead as Showtime Eyes Prequel Series Centered on Young Dexter . TVLine . Michael . Ausiello . January 31, 2023 . January 31, 2023 . January 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131202635/https://tvline.com/2023/01/31/dexter-new-blood-season-2-cancelled-showtime/ . live.
  10. Web site: Dexter Revival Casts Clancy Brown In Lead Role . Deadline Hollywood . Denise . Petski . January 5, 2021 . January 5, 2021 . January 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210105201847/https://deadline.com/2021/01/dexter-revival-cast-clancy-brown-lead-role-kurt-caldwell-1234665121/ . live.
  11. Web site: Dexter Revival: Julia Jones, Alano Miller, Johnny Sequoyah, Jack Alcott Join Showtime Limited Series . Deadline Hollywood . Nellie . Andreeva . January 11, 2021 . July 25, 2021 . July 14, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210714040521/https://deadline.com/2021/01/dexter-revival-julia-jones-alano-miller-johnny-sequoyah-jack-alcott-cast-showtime-series-1234671165/ . live.
  12. Web site: Dexter Revival: David Magidoff Joins Showtime Limited Series . Deadline Hollywood . Nellie . Andreeva . January 29, 2021 . January 29, 2021 . January 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210129225705/https://deadline.com/2021/01/dexter-revival-david-magidoff-cast-showtime-limited-series-1234683706/ . live.
  13. Web site: Dexter Enlists Jamie Chung, Oscar Wahlberg (Exclusive) . The Hollywood Reporter . Lesley . Goldberg . February 11, 2021 . June 11, 2021 . November 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211119212951/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dexter-enlists-jamie-chung-oscar-wahlberg-exclusive-4130846/ . live.
  14. Web site: John Lithgow Joins Dexter Revival; Won Emmy For Role In Showtime Serial Killer Drama . Deadline Hollywood . Dominic . Patten . June 28, 2021 . June 28, 2021 . November 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211123111434/https://deadline.com/2021/06/john-lithgow-returns-dexter-revival-showtime-1234782714/ . live.
  15. Web site: Goldberg . Lesley . July 13, 2021 . Jennifer Carpenter to Return for Dexter Revival . July 25, 2021 . The Hollywood Reporter . November 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211105045154/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jennifer-carpenter-dexter-revival-1234981706/ . live.
  16. Web site: Dexter Revival: Jennifer Carpenter Confirmed to Return as Series Regular — Here's How Deb Will Be Resurrected . TVLine . Michael . Ausiello . August 24, 2021 . August 24, 2021 . November 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211105151409/https://tvline.com/2021/08/24/jennifer-carpenter-returns-dexter-season-9-debra/ . live.
  17. Web site: Crosbie . Eve . Dexter 2021 revival: plot, release date, cast, and more . HELLO! . March 29, 2021 . January 12, 2021 . April 21, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210421055324/https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20210112104399/dexter-revival-release-date-cast-plot-details/ . live.
  18. Web site: October 7, 2021 . Interview with "Dexter: New Blood" showrunner Clyde Phillips . February 2, 2022 . Entertainment News from DIRECTV.
  19. dexter_new_blood . Dexter: New Blood . tv . 1 . May 22, 2022.
  20. dexter-new-blood . Dexter: New Blood . tv . 1 . May 22, 2022.
  21. Web site: Performer of the Week: Michael C. Hall . TVLine . January 15, 2022 . January 15, 2022.
  22. Web site: Verhoeven . Beatrice . July 7, 2022 . This Is Us, Succession, Severance Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations . July 9, 2022 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  23. Web site: Tinoco . Armando . August 12, 2022 . Saturn Awards Nominations: The Batman, Nightmare Alley, Spider-Man, Better Call Saul Top List . September 22, 2022 . Deadline Hollywood.
  24. Web site: 14th Annual Winners and Honorees - The Shorty Awards . July 9, 2022 . shortyawards.com.
  25. Showtime Announces Michael C. Hall's Epic Return to the Dexter Franchise in Two Series for Paramount+ with Showtime. Paramount Press Express. July 26, 2024. July 27, 2024.