Showtime has released the first official teaser for its upcoming revival of the crime drama series Dexter. The short preview offers fans their first glimpse at Michael C. Hall's return to the role of Dexter Morgan since the original series concluded nearly eight years ago.
Inspired by the series of Dexter novels by author Jeff Lindsay, Showtime's adaptation chronicled the exploits of the eponymous serial killer in Miami. Operating under a code instilled into him by his adopted father Harry Morgan, a former police officer, Dexter hunts for other murderers who have escaped justice and will likely offend again. Working as a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department, Dexter uses his resources and knowledge of law enforcement practices to track his victims while avoiding capture himself.
While the series was acclaimed during its first seasons, earning Golden Globe nominations and a win for Hall's performance in season four, the latter years were criticized heavily for the handling of the characters and storylines. The discontent culminated with the lambasted series finale of Dexter, which saw the character choosing to fake his own death and go into exile after his serial killer exploits lead to his sister, Debra, being murdered by his adversary. Leaving his lover Hannah McKay and son Harrison to live in Buenos Aires believing he died, Dexter is last seen working as a lumberjack in Oregon, no longer providing viewers with his voice-over narration, once a staple of the series.
Original showrunner Clyde Phillips, who left after the fourth season of the series, has re-teamed with Hall and Showtime to revive Dexter for a limited 10-episode run. Set to premiere in late 2021, Showtime's first teaser for the revival opens on a campfire by what appears to a lake or river covered in snow. The camera then enters a dwelling to reveal Dexter Morgan facing viewers in his signature long-sleeve henley shirt while "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" plays over the footage. In the reflection of the widow behind Dexter, viewers clearly see an individual laying on a table, wrapped in plastic and struggling to escape. Dexter's scowl then turns into a smile, indicating that while he may have gone into exile, he didn't necessarily give up the serial killer life that brought him to that point in the first place.
Because the original series finale of Dexter left a sour taste in the mouths of fans, reactions to the revival have been mixed, with some preferring to leave the series behind as distant memory. However, while Phillips has noted the revival will not undo the series finale, the chance for a second ending to the story may be welcomed by those who still have some fondness for the show.
Of course, there could be a chance that audiences aren't eager to watch the misadventures of a serial killer anymore. While viewers enjoyed watching anti-heroes like The Sopranos' Tony Soprano and Breaking Bad's Walter White in their day, the same might not be said for a modern audience who may have had their fill of morally dubious characters.
Dexter returns on Showtime starting in fall 2021.
Source: Showtime/YouTube