Dexter Showrunner Confirms Original Sin Was Approved Immediately After New Blood Finale: “Excitement Fueled by Dexter’s Shocking Death”

Dexter: Original Sin received an immediate green light following the conclusion of New Blood. After the original series wrapped with a polarizing ending in 2013, the franchise expanded through various spin-offs. While New Blood sought to address lingering narrative questions, it ultimately placed a period on Dexter’s journey with a shocking conclusion. Now, Dexter: Resurrection is poised to bring the character back to life, but the prequel, Original Sin, has already begun unraveling more layers of the story. The series debuted on December 13 on Paramount+ in collaboration with Showtime, with a 10-episode run slated to conclude on February 14, 2025.

Showrunner Clyde Phillips Lee reached new heights with New Blood’s finale, which set viewing records and was a significant factor in securing the prequel’s development. In a conversation with Screen Rant’s Zak Wojnar, Phillips noted that the finale achieved the distinction of being “the most-watched episode in the history of Showtime.” This milestone led the network to order a follow-up, but an executive from MTV and Paramount later encouraged Phillips to pivot towards a prequel. Below is the full context of his remarks:

The way New Blood worked is, and what I wanted to say to social media [was]…
They went crazy when Dexter was shot
, which just showed me how much they loved the character and loved the show. But at that time, I only had Michael C. Hall for one year, so I had to end the show. And then it turned out that the finale, which I was privileged enough to write, was the most-watched episode in the history of Showtime. And
Showtime immediately ordered a sequel
, for which I got my writers back together.

We wrote all 10 episodes
, and that was for Showtime and Gary Levine, the president of Showtime. And then Chris McCarthy from MTV Entertainment and Paramount came along and said… “I don’t believe in sequels.
I want to do a prequel
. Can you come up with a prequel?”And so I did. I pitched it to him and Gary, and then Chris said four words at the end of the pitch: “Phenomenal. I love it.”And the next thing I know, I’ve got my writers back together, and we’re banging out the prequel, which is Original Sin.

Implications of Early Approval for Dexter: Original Sin

Connections Between the Show and Dexter’s Resurrection

Another character from Dexter: Original Sin

The highly anticipated Dexter: Resurrection is set to premiere in Summer 2025, marking the next chapter in Dexter’s saga after New Blood. Given that Phillips and his creative team had started crafting the sequel prior to the prequel’s conception, they were able to intricately weave the narrative continuity. This connection allows Original Sin to explore Dexter’s survival after his shooting, enriching the storyline as he reflects on his past while preparing for the sequel. Had the details of Dexter’s survival been left unexplored, the series would have taken a markedly different direction.

The quick approval streamlined production efforts, allowing Original Sin to materialize less than two years after the finale of New Blood. If not for this prompt approval, viewers might have faced a wait of three to four years for another installment of the franchise. This early decision ensured that the production process for both Original Sin and Resurrection unfolded smoothly.

Our Perspective on the Approval of Dexter: Original Sin

A Welcome Return to Form

Dexter (Patrick Gibson) examining a cadaver in Dexter: Original Sin

Similar to New Blood, the prequel is emerging as a remarkable return to the series’ roots. With a talented ensemble cast that brings core characters back to life, Original Sin is poised to delve into Dexter’s complex psyche. However, it has yet to unlock the depths of these characters fully. As the season progresses, viewers can expect a deeper exploration of Dexter’s darker impulses; thus far, the pilot episode has only scratched the surface. Nonetheless, it is exciting to see Dexter: Original Sin get off to a commendable start, combining strong casting decisions with engaging plots, setting the stage for a successful connection to Resurrection.

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