Showtime unveils new strategy for Dexter franchise

Showtime's new leadership has made its first major programming decision, and it revolves around the flagship franchise Dexter. The Paramount TV Studios team, led by Matt Thunell, which took over Showtime after Skydance acquired Paramount Global, has made it clear it is committed to the main series starring Michael C. Hall. This series, Dexter: Resurrection, is currently in its first season. Meanwhile, the prequel series Dexter: Original Sin will not be moving forward.



The new team has already set up a writers' room for season two of Dexter: Resurrection before the first season's finale, with the intention of approving this second season depending on budget. Because the main series starring Hall is considered crucial to the future of the franchise, Showtime has decided to cancel Dexter: Original Sin, despite confusion over its status.

Previous Showtime executives announced in April that season two of Dexter: Original Sin had been greenlit, with a writers' room slated to open soon, but this never materialized. Sources suggest this was primarily for logistical reasons, as showrunner Clyde Phillips moved the writers to Dexter: Resurrection when that series was accelerated into production.

With season two of Original Sin in limbo, the new leadership decided to focus solely on Resurrection, effectively shelving the prequel.

The focus on prequels was a key part of former Paramount Global co-CEO Chris McCarthy's strategy to build larger universes around popular IP. Now that he's gone, it's unclear what will happen to other planned Dexter prequels, including one that would have revolved around the Trinity Killer.

Showtime's overall strategy is also unclear, particularly as the number of original scripted series has declined significantly in recent years due to its integration with Paramount+.

Clyde Phillips is the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Dexter: Original Sin. This prequel, set in 1991 Miami, follows a young Dexter (played by Patrick Gibson) as he hone his killing skills with the help of his adoptive father, Harry (Christian Slater). Harry offers support and understanding as Dexter's murderous urges grow and become uncontrollable.

The first season also featured Molly Brown, Christina Milian, James Martinez, Alex Shimizu, and Reno Wilson, with guest stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Patrick Dempsey.

Dexter: Original Sin premiered on December 13th with 2.1 million global viewers in its first three days. Ratings increased 27% by the finale, to 2.68 million.

Dexter: Resurrection launched with 3.1 million viewers in its first three days, rising to 4.4 million in seven days—about 25% better than Original Sin. The series picks up just weeks after Dexter Morgan (Hall) was shot by his son and awakens from a coma to discover that Harrison (Jack Alcott) has vanished without a trace.

The cast of Resurrection includes Uma Thurman, David Zayas, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Kadia Saraf, Dominic Fumusa, and Emilia Suárez. James Remar returns as Harry Morgan, and Peter Dinklage plays Leon Prater. Neil Patrick Harris, Krysten Ritter, Eric Stonestreet, and David Dastmalchian also guest star.