Dexter: Original Sinshowrunner reveals that the prequel was approved immediately afterNew Bloodended. AfterDexter’s original controversial endingin 2013, it was renewed through several spin-offs in subsequent years.New Bloodfixed the conclusion, butit still ended Dexter’s story after he was abruptly shot.Dexter: Resurrectionis an upcoming show that will bring the character back to form, butOriginal Sinhas already provided more insight into its star. The show premiered on December 13 on Paramount+ with Showtime and the ten-episode season will run through July 16, 2025.
In aninterview withScreen Rant’s Zak Wojnar, Clyde Phillips explained that theNew Bloodfinale was “the most-watched episode in the history of Showtime,” which convinced the network to order a sequel. While the showrunner worked diligently on the follow-up show, an MTV and Paramount executive asked for a prequel instead. Check out his full explanation below:
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. AndShowtime 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.
What The Early Approval Meant For Dexter: Original Sin
The Show Ties Into Dexter’s Resurrection
The upcomingDexter: Resurrection, which is expected to be released in summer 2025, will serve as the sequel toNew Blood. Because Phillips and the other writers developed the sequel before the prequel, they were already aware of the nature of Dexter’s next steps.That helped them tieResurrectionintoOriginal Sin.Original Sinreveals how Dexter survived being shot, allowing it to serve as nothing more than a memory for the recovering killer as he prepares for the sequel. Without knowing the details of Dexter’s survival, the show would likely be very different.
If not for the early approval, it could have been three or four years before the nextDextershow began streaming.
The early approval also allowed for a quicker rush to production.New Blood’s finale premiered on August 11, 2025, meaning it took less than two years for the prequel to premiere after the show ended. If not for the early approval, it could have been three or four years before the nextDextershow began streaming. Worse still, it might have been even longer beforeResurrectionfound its way to Paramount+, so the early approval meant that production proceeded relatively easily.
Our Take On Dexter: Original Sin’s Approval
The Show Is A Delightful Return To Form
Much likeNew Blood, the prequel has already proven to be a return to form for the show.Original Sin’s brilliant casthas been able to embody the core characters, though it has struggled to provide much insight beyond what is already established about each star. As the episodes continue, it will likely delve deeper into Dexter’s dark nature, but the pilot has only briefly delved into anything truly compelling so far. Still, it is great thatDexter: Original Sinis doing well with its casting and plotting and is poised to excel as it ties intoResurrection.
Dexter: Original Sin
Cast
Dexter: Original Sin explores Dexter Morgan’s early years in 1991 Miami as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. Guided by his father, Harry, Dexter crafts a moral code and navigates a forensics internship at Miami Metro Police, all while controlling his darker impulses.
