Before Joe Goldberg became popular, everybody’s favorite serial killer show wasDexter. StarringMichael C. Hallas the titular character, Dexter Morgan was a serial killer who was raised by an adoptive father, Harry, who also happened to be a detective. When Harry realizes that Dexter has these killer urges, he comes up with a code for Dexter to follow, ensuring that Dexter won’t get caught and that Dexter will only kill people who are also murderers themselves. The show lasted8 seasonsbetween 2006 and 2013, and as all good things have tocome to an end, so didDexter. Until he was revived in 2021 with a miniseries calledDexter: New Blood. The spinoff miniseries continues Dexter’s storyline as he makes a new life for himself in Upstate New York. All seems well until his estranged son, Harrison, comes knocking at his cabin door and Dexter fears that his son might have the same darkness inside him.
If you’ve read the original novels byJeff Lindsay, you know how many changes to the story were made in the original 8 seasons ofDexter. However,Clyde Phillips, thecreator of the television franchise, went on to make the subsequent miniseriesNew Bloodand the new prequel series,Dexter: Original Sin. These shows are based on the characters and don’t necessarily have a novel equivalent to the source material. If you’re a show-only fan or a newcomer to theDexterfranchise, this article will break down the main characters and what impact they have on each other and the future plot lines.
Patrick Gibson
Dexter Morgan
It has been a well-knownpoint of contention among fansof the originalDexterseries that the flashback scenes were laughable due to the “de-aging” of the titular character. Michael C. Hall in a goofy wig was supposed to pass as a teenage version of himself, but it did not pass the scrupulous eyes of viewers. When it was announced that Clyde Phillips was working on a prequel series featuring a young Dexter in the 90s, the memes of Hall in the wig made a massive comeback. However, the audience’s interests were piqued once it was announced thatPatrick Gibsonwould be portraying the younger version of Dexter. Official photos and trailers were released, andDexterfans were solidly hooked on the line.
Gibson is an Irish actor who made his first major acting debut in the drama series,The Tudors. In 2018, he also starred in the science-fiction thriller,The Darkest Minds, as Clancy Gray, the son of the President of the United States. More recently, Gibson starred in the second season of the popular Netflix series,Shadow and Bone, as “Sturmhond,” or Nikolai Lantsov. InDexter: Original Sin, Gibson’s character Dexter Morgan struggles to navigate his growing killer urges and nearly kills someone while defending his younger sister, Deb. When he confesses this to Harry, his adoptive father, Harry suffers a heart attack and has a near-death experience while at the hospital. In the first episode of the new series, we see Dexter struggle with his inner turmoil while simultaneously enjoying his first kill.
Christian Slater
Harry Morgan
Christian Slateris a well-known name in iconic movies likeTrue Romance,Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,Heathers, and, more recently,Blink Twice. He has also done voice work in shows likeArcher,The Boys Presents: Diabolical, andLego Star Wars Terrifying Tales. InOriginal Sin, he plays Dexter’s adoptive father, Harry Morgan. Harrowed by the accidental drowning of his biological son due to his drunken inattentiveness, Harry sees Dexter as an opportunity to right his past wrongdoings and raise a son.
As a homicide detective, he quickly recognizes a darkness inside Dexter, something that would one day manifest into something much worse than a desire to kill animals. He does his best toteach Dexter a moral codethat will not only keep him from getting caught but also prevent him from killing innocent people. Knowing that Dexter will eventually become a serial killer, he teaches him to channel those urges onto other killers who have also evaded capture. In the original series, the memory of Harry Morgan continues to offer guidance and keep Dexter in check. In this prequel series, we get to see that guidance, worry, and understanding play out in real-time. In the originalDexterseries, Harry Morgan is portrayed byJames Remar.
Molly Brown
Debra Morgan
Dexter’s younger sister, Debra, is a senior in high school inDexter: Original Sin. She is the same foul-mouthed Deb that fans know from the original series, full of attitude and a fierce love for her family. Still reeling from the death of her mother, she tends to lash out at Dexter and Harry because she notices the special bond the two of them share, which makes her feel isolated. InDexter: New Blood, Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) replaces Harry as Dexter’s spectral guidance as he navigates raising his estranged son, Harrison. The younger version of Debra is portrayed byMolly Brown, who is best known for her portrayal of Leslie Ackhurst in the supernatural drama seriesEvil. She was also in the 2022 comedySenior Yearand other major television series likeBillions,Boy Shorts, andThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Christina Milian
Detective Maria LaGuerta
While LaGuerta hasn’t had a major role in the first episode ofDexter: Original Sin, she does appear in all 10 episodes of the season. She is a prominent character in the original series, constantly moving up the ranks within the police department. Played byChristina Milian(Be Cool), she is a pivotal character in the development of Dexter’s character and career. In the original novels by Jeff Lindsay, Dexter notices but doesn’t acknowledge the flirtatious comments that Maria makes towards him, further deepening the intricate relationships that he navigates. LaGuerta was portrayed byLuna Lauren Velezin the originalDexterseries.
James Martinez
Detective Angel Batista
Batista is anotherDexterstaple, always there to offer words of encouragement, advice, and unyielding support for both Dexter and Deb, largely thanks to his respect for their father, Harry. In the first episode ofDexter: Original Sin, we see Batista bringing baked goods and food for Dexter and Debra while Harry is in the hospital, and at the end of the episode, we see him warmly embrace Harry and Dexter when they walk into the station after Harry’s recovery and Dexter has taken a job as a forensic technician intern. Played byJames Martinez, who is pictured above in his role fromBreaking Badnext toGiancarlo Esposito, is also known for his role inRun All Nightas Detective Oscar Torres.
Alex Shimizu
Vince Masuka
Masuka is a comedic character, but he’s not without his more dramatic moments either. InOriginal Sin, he works in the forensic investigation department under the lead of Tanya Martin. He meets Dexter at a college job fair, where Dexter quickly analyzes blood spatter patterns at Masuka’s booth. He mentions this to Tanya, and the two of them offer Dexter a paid internship working with them at Miami Metro when they stop by to bring food with Harry’s other coworkers. The character is known for his quick wit and crude and often inappropriate sense of humor, along with his goofy laugh. Originally played byC. S. Lee, Masuka will now be portrayed byAlex Shimizuin the new series, complete with off-colored jokes and ridiculous giggles. This character will be a change of pace for Shimizu, as he has mostly only acted in more serious roles, such as Toshiro Furuya inThe Terrorand Tadashi Ito inThe Blacklist.
Reno Wilson
Detective Bobby Watt
Although Bobby Watt is not in the originalDexterseries, it’s made clear that he will have a big role in this prequel series. He refers to Deb as his goddaughter when he comes to bring pizzas with the rest of Harry’s coworkers. Played byReno Wilson, who is best known for his characters inMike & MollyandGood Girls, Detective Bobby Watt will be a character to watch out for throughoutDexter: Original Sin, as he appears in all 10 episodes. However, it is worrisome that his character isn’t included in the originalDexterseries, so it’s possiblesomething bad might happen to himat some point in the prequel series.
Patrick Dempsey
Captain Aaron Spencer
Captain Spencer is another character that does not appear in the original series, but seems very comfortable with Harry Morgan and welcoming towards Dexter when he begins his internship. Portrayed byMcDreamyPatrick Dempsey, Capt. Spencer oversees all the ongoing investigations, specifically pertaining to a new case involving a home invasion and subsequent murder of an entire family, seemingly staged to look like a robbery gone wrong.In addition to his iconic role as Dr. Derek Shepherd inGrey’s Anatomy, Dempsey has also starred inEnchantedand the film’s sequel,Disenchanted, as well as the dramaFerrariand the slasher filmThanksgiving.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Tanya Martin
Tanya Martin is another character that does not exist in the original series, but will likely have a major influence on Dexter as he works for her in the forensics department. As the lead of the forensic investigation, she is able to order Captain Spencer around while her team is still collecting evidence at a crime scene. Her character seems very “no-nonsense” despite working directly with Masuka on a daily basis. Played bySarah Michelle Gellar, who is known best forBuffy the Vampire Slayer,Scooby-Doo, andI Know What You Did Last Summer, Tanya Martin is a highly intelligent and fierce character, determined to do things by the book and not overlook any evidence. Gellar is credited as a “special guest star” inDexter: Original Sin, so there’s a big chance her character might not survive the season despite being credited for all 10 episodes. We know that Vince Masuka is the lead forensic investigator when the originalDexterseries takes place, so it’s either she leaves for another job by the end of this season or something else happens to her character.
Michael C. Hall
Narrator/Dexter’s Inner Voice
Dexteris famous for the calm and collected “inner voice” narration of the titular character. Similar to Joe fromYou, there’s a certain poetry to how these charming serial killers articulate and phrase things to justify their thoughts and actions to viewers. As an executive producer forDexter: Original Sin, Michael C. Hall avoided wearing a ridiculous wig to portray a younger version of Dexter and instead opted to lend his voice as the narrator.In addition to his most famous role as Dexter Morgan, Hall also appeared asPresident Kennedyin the drama seriesThe Crownand was the antagonist in the comedy-action filmGame Night.
WatchDexter: Original Sinon Paramount+ and Showtime right now.
Dexter: Original Sin
Watch on Paramount+
