Every Dexter Spinoff, Explained — And How to Watch Them in Chronological Order

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Originally a massive television hit, Dexter has regained its popularity with Dexter: Resurrection. The series follows a serial killer who targets other murderers, but only those who meet his strict moral code. By day, he appears to be a normal blood-splatter analyst, but at night, he leads a dark double life. The show’s success, both in terms of viewership and profits, allowed it to run for eight seasons.

Dexter challenges viewers to examine their own sense of right and wrong, even as they find themselves entertained by – and sometimes even cheering for – a murderer. However, many fans feel the show’s quality declined around the middle of its run, culminating in a widely disliked series finale. Despite this, the story didn’t end there – a sequel series was created, followed by three additional spin-offs, all readily available for viewers.

Dexter’s Serial Killer Transition Premiered in Dexter: Original Sin

The original Dexter series showed fans hints of Dexter’s early life as a serial killer, including his first murder in 1991. Dexter: Original Sin will explore his journey to becoming the Bay Harbor Butcher. The show will focus on his first kill – a nurse who was secretly poisoning patients – and how that event shapes his development as a killer, including the origins of his signature habits like creating blood splatter slides and his use of plastic wrap.

Michael C. Hall is back as Dexter, but this time only providing the voice for his inner thoughts – what’s known as his ‘dark passenger.’ Patrick Gibson portrays a younger Dexter, shown as a college student just starting his career in criminal justice, much like his father, Harry Morgan, before him.

Christian Slater now plays Harry, taking over the role from James Remar. The show is set in Dexter’s hometown of Miami and reveals how he joined the Miami Metro Police Department. Viewers will see Dexter start his career as a blood spatter analyst and encounter familiar faces from the original series.

In Dexter: Original Sin, Molly Brown stars as Debra Morgan, Dexter’s sharp-tongued sister, while Christina Milian plays Maria LaGuerta, who will later become a captain. James Martinez is Angel Batista, a future close friend of Dexter’s, and Alex Shimizu plays the irreverent Vince Masuka. The series maintains the original Dexter‘s dark humor and introduces frightening new enemies. It explores how Dexter’s beliefs and killing techniques first formed, revealing the path that led him to become the dangerous killer he is known as.

Reno Wilson plays Bobby Watt and Patrick Dempsey plays Aaron Spencer in the cast of Dexter: Original Sin. Season 1 concluded on February 14, 2025, with its tenth episode, and you can watch it for free on Roku TV or Paramount+.

The Original Dexter Series Took the World by Storm

The original Dexter series was a major success. The series finale attracted nearly three million viewers, a record for Showtime. The premiere of Season 8 was the most-watched episode ever, also drawing over three million viewers. Dexter has had a significant impact on television since it first aired and continues to influence how thrillers are written and told today.

Dexter centers around Dexter Morgan, who works as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami police. While he solves crimes professionally, he secretly takes the law into his own hands, killing criminals who have escaped justice. This compelling duality – a serial killer leading a normal life – made the show a huge hit, attracting millions of viewers each week.

Michael C. Hall starred as the infamous, killer Dexter Morgan throughout the show’s eight seasons and 96 episodes. Jennifer Carpenter played Dexter’s sister, Debra Morgan, a sharp-tongued and talented police officer. Debra served as a strong moral compass for the series, often contrasting with Dexter’s complex and questionable ethics, and providing a much-needed sense of right and wrong.

Characters like Angel Batista (David Zayas), Rita Bennett (Julie Benz), and Dexter’s deceased father, Harry Morgan (James Remar), also played important roles. The show Dexter is so effective because of its well-developed characters and their compelling interactions. The complex, yet affectionate, bond between Dexter and Harry is particularly captivating.

What really makes the show Dexter stand out are its villains. Each season introduced a unique and compelling antagonist, ranging from other serial killers to fanatics and even members of the mafia. For example, in the first season, the Ice Truck Killer specifically targeted Dexter Morgan, aware of his own dark secret.

Season 4 features John Lithgow reprising his Golden Globe-winning role as the villainous Arthur Mitchell. Though the show has many memorable criminals, arguably the most compelling antagonist was Sgt. James Doakes, played by Erik King. Doakes is the officer who consistently suspects Dexter throughout the series. You can watch Dexter for free on Roku TV or stream it on Paramount+.

Dexter: New Blood Set Out to Fix Dexter’s Disappointing Finale

Despite being the most-watched episode in the network’s history, the finale of Dexter left fans feeling let down. The problem wasn’t just the ending, though. Viewers had felt the show’s quality was decreasing since Season 6.

The original series finale ended with a dramatic scene: Dexter’s girlfriend was fatally shot by a serial killer, and he disposed of her body at sea during a hurricane. Surprisingly, Dexter then survived and began a simple life working as a lumberjack. This sudden shift in the story felt unsatisfying and out of place for many viewers, ultimately harming the show’s previously stellar reputation.

As a big fan of the original Dexter, I was really intrigued when Showtime announced they were giving the story another chance with Dexter: New Blood in 2021. It was exciting to see Michael C. Hall back as Dexter, this time living a quiet life in the snowy town of Iron Lake, New York. He’s built a new identity for himself, and it’s interesting to watch him navigate things with his sister, Debra, essentially taking on the role of his conscience – a bit like the one Harry Morgan used to play.

But the situation shifts when a new serial killer appears, causing trouble for the town. Dexter is unexpectedly reunited with Harrison, his son, who he had left behind at the end of the original Dexter series. The show captures the feel of the classic Dexter, with both its strengths and weaknesses.

Critics generally liked Dexter: New Blood, though fan reactions were more mixed. While some appreciated seeing familiar characters in a new setting, others felt the story didn’t offer much that was original. Regardless, the show demonstrated continued interest in Dexter Morgan’s story. You can watch Dexter: New Blood for free on Roku TV or through a Paramount+ subscription.

Dexter: Resurrection Has Put Dexter Back on the Map

As a critic, I have to admit I was shocked when Dexter: Resurrection was announced! We all saw Dexter die – Clyde Phillips himself confirmed it! – but apparently, a little Iron Lake cold and some quick thinking saved him after Harrison shot him. While Dexter: Original Sin gave us a peek into his past, Resurrection throws us right back into the present and, more importantly, the future of this incredibly complicated character. It’s a surprising turn, but one I’m definitely intrigued by.

The moment Dexter wakes up, he decides he needs to find Harrison, who’s in New York City. This kicks off a new chapter in his life as he arrives in the Big Apple and quickly finds himself hunting another killer known as the Dark Passenger. This new adversary is targeting taxi drivers, believing he’s enacting revenge. Dexter manages to infiltrate the inner circle of wealthy businessman Leon Prater, who hosts a secret club for serial killers, allowing him to get close to the Dark Passenger.

The new season of Dexter: Resurrection features the return of a fan-favorite character who now seems determined to expose Dexter as the Bay Harbor Butcher to the NYPD. As Dexter deals with his son Harrison’s involvement in a murder, a determined police officer named Angel, and a group of killers, the show feels like a return to the classic Dexter that viewers loved.

This new Dexter series centers on the complex relationship between Dexter and his son, Harrison. It explores the few genuinely human connections Dexter has, particularly with his son, and his struggle to reconcile his capacity for both kindness and violence. Season 2 of Dexter: New Blood is now filming with plans for 10 episodes, and the first season is currently streaming on Paramount+.

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2026-02-27 23:43