Dexter: Original Sin

Dexter: Original Sin is an American crime drama mystery television series created by Clyde Phillips for Paramount+. A prequel to the television series Dexter (2006–13), the series' frame story sees vigilante serial killer Dexter Morgan thinking back on his youth, starting in 1991, fifteen years before the first season of Dexter.

Dexter: Original Sin
Genre	Crime drama Mystery
Created by	Clyde Phillips
Based on	Dexter by James Manos Jr. Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Showrunner	Clyde Phillips
Starring	Patrick Gibson Christian Slater Molly Brown Christina Milian James Martinez Alex Shimizu Reno Wilson Patrick Dempsey Michael C. Hall
Music by	Pat Irwin
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	10
Production
Executive producers	Tony Hernandez Lilly Burns John Goldwyn Sara Colleton Michael C. Hall Mary Leah Sutton Michael Lehmann Scott Reynolds Clyde Phillips
Producers	Robert Lloyd Lewis Nick Zayas Alexandra Franklin Marc Muszynski Michael Amodio Erik J. Carpenter
Cinematography	Edward J. Pei J. Michael Muro
Editors	Perri Frank Katie Ennis Louis Cioffi Christian Miglio Sean Cusack Liz Vendetti
Running time	46–58 minutes
Production companies	Clyde Phillips Productions Sal Centric Counterpart Studios Showtime Networks
Original release
Network	Paramount+ with Showtime
Release	December 13, 2024 (2024-12-13) – present
Related
Dexter

The series premiered on December 13, 2024, on Paramount+. It was renewed for a second season in April 2025.

Cast and characters

Main article: List of Dexter characters

Main

• Patrick Gibson as Dexter Morgan, a recently hired forensic intern at Miami Metro Police Department
• Christian Slater as Harry Morgan, Dexter's adoptive father and homicide detective at Miami Metro Police Department
• Molly Brown as Debra Morgan, Dexter's adoptive younger sister and Harry's daughter
• Christina Milian as María LaGuerta, the first female homicide detective at Miami Metro Police Department
• James Martinez as Angel Batista, a fellow detective working alongside Harry at Miami Metro Police Department
• Alex Shimizu as Vince Masuka, a forensic analyst at Miami Metro Police Department
• Reno Wilson as Bobby Watt, Harry's homicide division partner at Miami Metro Police Department
• Patrick Dempsey as Aaron Spencer, the captain of the homicide division at Miami Metro Police Department
• Michael C. Hall as the narrator/inner voice of Dexter

Special guest star

• Sarah Michelle Gellar as Tanya Martin, the chief of forensics of the homicide division at Miami Metro Police Department and Dexter's boss

Recurring

• Brittany Allen as Laura Moser, Dexter's biological mother in flashbacks
• Raquel Justice as Sofia Rivera, Debra's best friend and Dexter's love interest
• Jeff Daniel Phillips as Levi Reed
• Sarah Kinsey as Camilla Figg, a records clerk at Miami Metro Police Department
• Jasper Lewis as Doris Morgan, Dexter's adoptive mother and Debra's biological mother in flashbacks
• Aaron Jennings as Clark Sanders, a closeted gay police officer at Miami Metro Police Department whom Dexter befriends
• Roberto Sanchez as Tony Ferrer
• Eli Sherman as Little Dexter
• Carlo Mendez as Hector Estrada
• Randy Gonzalez as Santos Jimenez
• Isaac Gonzalez Rossi as Gio Martino
• Amanda Brooks as Becca Spencer, Aaron's ex-wife
• London Thatcher as Nicky Spencer, Aaron and Becca's son
• Roby Attal as Brian Moser, Dexter's biological brother
  • Xander Mateo co-stars as young Brian in flashbacks

Guest

• Joe Pantoliano as Mad Dog, a hitman
• Nick Santucci as young Miguel Prado

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date [1]
1	"And in the Beginning..."	Michael Lehmann	Clyde Phillips	December 13, 2024 (2024-12-13)
After being shot by Harrison,[a] Dexter Morgan is revived as he watches his life pass him by. A young Dexter is interning to become a surgeon and is close to graduating. At a fair, Dexter watches a stand with Vince Masuka, sparking his interest. Dexter goes to a graduation party with his sister Debra. A young man gets Debra drunk and takes her to his room to take advantage of her; Dexter knocks him out, and he and Debra are expelled from the party. When they return, their father Harry is awake, worried about them; years ago Harry lost his son to drowning for being careless. While hunting, Dexter tells Harry that killing animals isn't enough and what happened at the party, which causes him to have a heart attack and is hospitalized. Dexter discovers that the medication the nurse gives him is killing him; Harry lets Dexter kill her. Dexter kills Mary, the nurse, being his first victim; he uses a swamp with alligators to make Mary disappear. Harry recovers and leaves the hospital, and Dexter graduates. Dexter tells Harry that killing Mary felt good, and Harry bursts into tears. Dexter starts working for Miami Metro Police Department.
2	"Kid in a Candy Store"	Michael Lehmann	Katrina Mathewson & Tanner Bean	December 20, 2024 (2024-12-20)
In the past, Harry and Bobby Watt are assigned to the Hector Estrada case. They arrested Joe and Laura Moser, who were trafficking cocaine. When Joe refuses, Harry makes Laura his informant for the case. After Harry Jr.'s death, Doris Morgan and Harry try to have another child. In the present, at an unknown location, a boy is kidnapped by a masked man and his finger is severed; the finger is received by Miami Metro. Dexter begins working for Masuka and is dispatched to a crime scene. Dexter tells his colleagues his hypothesis, but they laugh at him in a friendly way. Dexter feels like he has made friends for the first time during a meal. Debra gets angry at Harry for spending too much time with Dexter compared to her. Hoping to make Dexter more normal, Harry asks Angel Batista to take him out at night while Dexter searches the files for free killers so he can kill them. At night, Batista takes Dexter to a club, where he tells him about a loan shark who leaves nothing and kills those he lends. Thus, Dexter gets his next victim thanks to Batista, Tony Ferrer.
3	"Miami Vice"	Monica Raymund	Safura Fadavi	December 20, 2024 (2024-12-20)
Years ago, Harry induces Laura to get closer to Estrada. After the success of the operation, Laura offers Harry sex, but he rejects it. In the present, Captain Aaron Spencer makes the disappearance of Jimmy Powell public, making the case a priority for the police department. María LaGuerta arrives as a newcomer to the homicide department to fill the gaps in the department's solves, much to Spencer's reluctance. Dexter begins to observe Ferrer and gathers evidence to kill him. Dexter, with Masuka's help, obtains a false identity to see Ferrer. Dexter discovers that Sofia Rivera, Debra's friend, has the earrings he kept as trophies. Dexter goes to a jai alai game to see Ferrer; Ferrer gives him a loan. Dexter cooks a cocaine-like recipe for Debra, and she helps him buy some earrings for Sofia and get the other ones back. Ferrer threatens Dexter if he doesn't give him the money within a day, and Dexter gathers evidence to kill him. Harry offers to be present when he does, but Dexter refuses. Dexter incapacitates Ferrer; despite his pleas, Dexter kills Ferrer and disposes of him in the swamp with the alligators.
4	"Fender Bender"	Monica Raymund	Nick Zayas	December 27, 2024 (2024-12-27)
Years earlier, Harry babysits Laura's sons, Brian Moser and Dexter, to support the Estrada case; Harry begins to grow fond of Dexter. When Laura returns, she and Harry have sex. In the present, Jimmy is found hanging from a bridge, murdered. Dexter becomes anxious upon seeing Jimmy, so Harry sends him to another crime scene; Dexter begins to befriend police officer Clark Sanders. Debra develops a rivalry with a teammate after becoming captain. Dexter finds his new victim, Mad Dog, a mob hitman; Dexter finds potential evidence at Mad Dog's house. Harry and Debra's relationship remains strained. Dexter impresses some teammates after solving a crime, but not LaGuerta. Dexter gathers evidence from Mad Dog and shows it to Harry, and Harry lets him kill him. Debra begins seeing a man named Gio. Dexter goes on a boat trip with Mad Dog. Dexter, at Mad Dog's house, incapacitates him, but he wakes up and runs away; during the chase Mad Dog is hit by a car and dies.
5	"F Is for Fuck Up"	Michael Lehmann	Alexandra Franklin & Marc Muszynski	January 3, 2025 (2025-01-03)
Years earlier, Harry and Laura were still having sex. One day, upon returning home, Doris reveals to Harry that she is pregnant. In the present, following the incident with Mad Dog, Dexter has little time to undo his plan to kill him; the police burst into the house, but cannot find Dexter. Upon returning, Harry berates Dexter for his recklessness with Mad Dog and forbids him from killing or going to work. Debra discovers that Dexter has been eating her marijuana brownies for the team. Debra eats a brownie, they spend the day together, and they reconnect. Dexter, thanks to Tanya, discovers etorphine, a sedative that would allow him to put his victims to sleep for as long as he needs. Harry's job is in danger when he botches a trial, and Levi Reed, a murderer, is released; Spencer retains him but takes him off Jimmy's case. Harry and Dexter leave Debra stranded, and she goes alone to her mother's grave. She spends the day with Gio, and they have sex. Harry attempts to kill Reed, but Dexter sedates him; Dexter uses him as a test for his new method. Dexter wants to kill Reed and suggests it to Harry, to which Harry agrees without hesitation.
6	"The Joy of Killing"	Michael Lehmann	Terry Huang	January 10, 2025 (2025-01-10)
Years ago, Laura began to tire of the long time of the case. When Debra was born, Doris told Harry that she knew about his affair and couldn't do it anymore. In the present, Spencer's son, Nicky, is kidnapped by Jimmy's killer. Debra forces Dexter to meet Gio on a double date, accompanied by Sofia. At a crime scene, Dexter theorizes that certain murders are connected, with the killer looking for a method that will satisfy him; LaGuerta rejects the theory. Spencer is informed that his son has been kidnapped; the force worries that Spencer is on the case. Dexter begins to observe Reed. Dexter goes on the double date, demonstrating his social ineptitude; Sofia performs oral sex on Dexter. LaGuerta begins to believe Dexter's theory. Dexter sedates and kills Reed; Dexter becomes a serial killer. With Spencer tense, Harry comforts him. When Dexter goes to get rid of Reed, he encounters the police in the swamp, who have found Ferrer's hand.
7	"The Big Bad Body Problem"	Monica Raymund	Katrina Mathewson & Tanner Bean	January 24, 2025 (2025-01-24)
Years ago, Harry forces Laura to continue the operation. Laura meets with Estrada and it appears to be a success; Estrada orders that she be kept under surveillance. In the present, Dexter enters the swamp crime scene, where LaGuerta and Masuka are present; Dexter gives Ferrer's hand to an alligator, claiming it attacked him. Dexter disposes of Reed in a dumpster. Sofia leaves Dexter, thinking he is cheating on her; Sofia gets angry with Debra when she doesn't support her. LaGuerta tells Spencer about the serial killer theory, and Spencer allows them to investigate. Nicky attacks the captor, but misses, and the captor severs his finger. Debra punches Tiffany and is kicked off the team; Debra leaves with Gio despite Harry's reluctance. Dexter begins looking for a place to dump his victims. The department receives the finger and confirms it's Nicky's; Dexter discovers possible blood from the killer. Dexter discovers a wound on Spencer and deduces that he is the killer. Spencer is seen buying the same Sunny Smiles dinners that were given to Jimmy Powell before his murder, saying to the cashier “My kid loves them.” Seemingly confirming Dexter’s theory.
8	"Business and Pleasure"	Monica Raymund	Teleplay by : Mary Leah Sutton Story by : Mary Leah Sutton & Johanna Ramm	January 31, 2025 (2025-01-31)
9	"Blood Drive"	Michael Lehmann	Teleplay by : Scott Reynolds Story by : Scott Reynolds & Alex Kellerman	February 7, 2025 (2025-02-07)
10	"Code Blues"	Michael Lehmann	Teleplay by : Clyde Phillips Story by : Clyde Phillips & Alexandra Franklin & Marc Muszynski	February 14, 2025 (2025-02-14)
For years, Brian went through several foster homes, each with problems, until he was finally admitted to a mental institution. During a therapy session, Dr. Petrie forbids him from seeing Dexter, so Brian kills him and leaves. Dexter follows Spencer to a ship where Nicky is being held. Dexter catches his attention, and Spencer tries to kill him, but fails. Spencer begins flooding Nicky's cell and gives Dexter the choice of saving Nicky or chasing him; Dexter saves Nicky, and Spencer flees. Harry goes with LaGuerta to the crime scene of Barb and spots Brian in the distance. Harry confronts Brian about the murders and his desire to be with Dexter and tries to stop him, but Brian claims he can only kill him; Harry can't, and Brian knocks him out. Spencer goes to Becca's house to kill her, knowing that Nicky is not her son, but Dexter knocks him out. On a boat, Dexter kills Spencer and throws him into the sea. Harry complains about being blinded by Spencer, but Dexter confronts him. Bobby leaves the hospital. At a dinner, Debra announces she wants to be police, and the family celebrates together, with Brian looking on in the distance.

Production

Development

On February 6, 2023, Showtime gave production a series order for an origin-story prequel for Dexter, titled as Dexter: Origins created by Clyde Phillips.^[2] It was later retitled as Dexter: Original Sin and will consist of 10 episodes. Phillips, who serves as the showrunner, is also expected to executive produce alongside Scott Reynolds, Michael C. Hall, Mary Leah Sutton, Tony Hernandez, and Lilly Burns, with Robert Lloyd Lewis serving as a producer. Production companies involved with the series are Showtime Studios and Counterpart Studios.^[3]

In March 2025, showrunner Clyde Phillips said of a second season "I honestly don't know. I'm busy shooting Resurrection now and haven't been thinking about the next season of Original Sin. We'll see." Cast members have said that they would be open to return for another season. "I had such a great time doing this and everybody involved is so incredible. To have Clyde [Phillips], the original showrunner, involved and still doing it, and the cast was also great that I would feel so, so lucky to come back again" Patrick Gibson said.^[4] On April 1, 2025, the series was renewed for a second season at Paramount+ and Showtime.^[5]

Casting

On May 23, 2024, Patrick Gibson, Christian Slater, and Molly Brown were cast in starring roles.^[6] In June 2024, James Martinez, Christina Milian, Alex Shimizu, Reno Wilson, and Patrick Dempsey joined the cast as series regulars while Sarah Michelle Gellar was cast as a special guest star.^[7][8][9] On July 11, 2024, Joe Pantoliano, Brittany Allen, Randy Gonzalez, Aaron Jennings, Raquel Justice, Jasper Lewis, Carlo Mendez, Isaac Gonzalez Rossi, and Roberto Sanchez were cast in recurring roles.^[10] On July 26, 2024, at San Diego Comic-Con during the Dexter: Original Sin panel, it was announced that Michael C. Hall is set to narrate the inner voice of a young Dexter Morgan.^[11] On August 14, 2024, Amanda Brooks joined the cast in a recurring capacity.^[12] On September 20, 2024, Eli Sherman, London Thatcher and Sarah Kinsey joined the cast in undisclosed capacities.^[13]

Filming

Principal photography for the series began on June 5, 2024, in Miami.^[7] In August 2024, it was reported that filming moved to Los Angeles.^[12]

Release

Dexter: Original Sin premiered on December 13, 2024, on Paramount+ with Showtime.^[14]

Reception

Upon its release Dexter: Original Sin became Showtime's most streamed premiere with over 2.1 million global cross-platform viewers.^[15]

Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 70% approval rating with an average rating of 6.6/10, based on 20 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Original Sin cares less about injecting fresh blood than reviving a tried-and-true formula, making for a prequel that's just solid enough to scratch the Dexter itch with a scalpel."^[16] According to Metacritic, which calculated a weighted average of 50 out of 100 based on six critic reviews, the series premiere received a "mixed or average" response.^[17]

Notes

1. As depicted in "Sins of the Father".