The Importance of Michael C. Hall’s Role in the Dexter Prequel
Dexter: Original Sin serves as a prequel, emphasizing the importance of Michael C. Hall‘s involvement after he previously portrayed the iconic fictional serial killer.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the premiere of Dexter: Original Sin in New York City on Wednesday, December 11, creator Clyde Phillips discussed Hall’s contributions behind the scenes.
“He’s an executive producer on the show. He’s my business partner, he’s my close friend, and he provides the voiceover,” Phillips, 66, shared with Us. “His presence was vital to help the original audience feel at ease and to engage the new audience—referred to as Dexternexters.”
Phillips, who left the original show after season 4 and returned for New Blood as well as Original Sin, commended Hall, 53, for rendering Dexter “vulnerable and relatable.” He continued, “He embodies the inevitability of my favorite four-letter F-word: fate. It’s inescapable — it’s going to transpire, much like the evolution from caveman to Homo sapiens.”
He further added: “We see Dexter’s character evolve into the version we cherish, portrayed by Michael C. Hall, and Patrick Gibson truly excels in this role. When you witness Patrick Gibson, you’ll realize — this kid’s a star. Step aside.”
The character of Dexter was initially portrayed by Hall in Showtime’s series, which aired from 2006 to 2013. After the series concluded, Hall returned as Dexter in the 2021 spinoff titled New Blood. Now, Gibson is stepping into the role in Paramount+’s prequel.
Dexter: Original Sin is set in the ‘90s and narrates Dexter’s journey from student to avenging serial killer while unknowingly working as a member of the Miami Metro Police Department. The prequel features a cast that includes Molly Brown, James Martinez, Christina Milian, Christian Slater, Alex Shimizu, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Patrick Dempsey, and Reno Wilson.
“We are revisiting some familiar territory, but presenting it from a completely different perspective, allowing the audience to grasp a more profound narrative,” Phillips explained to Us. “Additionally, we as writers also gain insight into the deeper implications.”
Phillips hinted that viewers will encounter a new side to Dexter.
“When we first met Dexter in the original series, he was 35 years old and fully developed, portrayed by Michael C. Hall. He kills a man within the first minute of the show and is living with a woman. Now, we encounter Dexter as a senior in college who has never kissed a girl,” he noted. “He struggles with basic interactions, developing his independence, learning to fit in, and strengthening his relationship with his father, Harry, played by Christian Slater.”
In a different conversation with Us, Gibson, 29, discussed what it’s like to take over Hall’s role, saying, “I believe Dexter exists in a moral gray area — he’s a serial killer that we sympathize with. Watching it, I felt like I truly root for this character, yet it challenges my own views. Nowadays, with social media, perspectives have become quite binary, making Dexter’s character particularly relevant in this era.”
Dexter: Original Sin will begin streaming on Paramount+ on Friday, December 13, with its cable premiere set for Sunday, December 15.
With reporting by Antonio Ferme
