Showtime has ordered a limited series revival ofDexterwith Michael C. Hall set to reprise his role as the title serial killer. Original showrunner Clyde Phillips will reunite with Hall for the 10-episode limited series after having stepped away from the show following the fourth season.
Dextercentered on the titular blood-spatter analyst’s complicated life working for the Miami police department while moonlighting a serial killer. Using the skills he learned from his adoptive father,a retired police officer, and his resources at the MPD, Dexter hunts for victims while adhering to a strict code of only murdering people who have slipped through the cracks of the legal system and are likely to harm others again. The eight-season series concluded with Dexter faking his death and assuming a new identity in Oregon, abandoning his son and lover after the death of his sister made it clear that his loved ones will always be in danger because of his exploits.
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Production on theDexterrevival is scheduled to begin in early 2021, with a tentative premiere date in the fall of the same year. While plot details are not being divulged, Gary Levine, co-president of entertainment for Showtime, assured fans they wouldn’t have revisited the series without a worthwhile concept. “‘Dexter’ is such a special series, both for its millions of fans and for Showtime, as this breakthrough show helped put our network on the map many years ago,” said Levine in a statement. “We would only revisit this unique character if we could find a creative take that was truly worthy of the brilliant, original series. Well, I am happy to report that Clyde Phillips and Michael C. Hall have found it, and we can’t wait to shoot it and show it to the world!”
Hall and Phillips will serve as executive producers on theDexterreboot alongside John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Bill Carraro, and Scott Reynolds. SinceDexterconcluded its original run in 2013, Hall has taken on roles in feature films such asGame NightandThe Reportin addition to portraying U.S. President John F. Kennedy in Netflix’sThe Crown. During that time, Hall hadexpressed a willingness to revisitDextershould anyone present a worthy idea.
Dexteris only the latest in a long line of shows being brought back years, if not decades, after their original runs. Recent additions to the television revival list includea reboot ofSaved by Belland a dramatic re-imagining of Will Smith’sThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Whilemost of these rebootshave been met with disdain or even confusion,Dextermay actually benefit from a revival. While the first four seasons ofDexterwere acclaimed, the series received greater criticism in its later years, right up until the maligned series finale.
