Dexter's Michael C. Hall Plan Confirms The Biggest Problem With The Show's Future

Summary Michael C. Hall's continued involvement in Dexter spinoffs reveals a dependence on his character for success.

While two new series explore different tangents, the franchise seems overly reliant on Hall's presence.

Dexter must find a new character to carry the show forward for a sustainable future without Hall's dominance.

The number of spinoffs set with the Dexter universe is very exciting for fans of the original show, yet the involvement of star Michael C. Hall confirms a major ongoing problem with the series. After a notoriously divisive ending, Dexter attempted to bring the story to a more definitive conclusion with the self-contained spinoff, New Blood. Although the 2021 miniseries once again divided audiences, the response proved that there remains an appetite for more Dexter stories. Yet, while plans announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 confirm that showrunners are delivering on this front, another unresolved issue is bubbling beneath the surface.

After a difficult few years for the Dexter franchise, following New Blood's muted fan reception, Comic-Con 2024 confirmed that the show is back with a vengeance. Not only were fans treated to more information about the long-discussed prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin, but it was also confirmed that a New Blood follow-up (titled Dexter: Resurrection) is also imminent. Perhaps most intriguingly, both shows will see Michael C. Hall reprise his role as the vigilante serial killer, despite his death in the New Blood finale. Yet, as thrilling as this prospect may be, it also reveals a major problem with Dexter that can't be overcome.

Related Dexter: Original Sin Timeline Explained: When The Prequel Is Set Before The Original Show Dexter: Original Sin will take place in 1991 Miami, fifteen years before the start of the original series and roughly 30 years before New Blood.

Dexter's New Spin-Offs All Include Michael C. Hall

He Remains The Franchise's Leading Character

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Even though Dexter: New Blood seemed to lay the foundations for a Dexter-less future for the franchise, the announcements made at San Diego Comic-Con confirm that Michael C. Hall's titular character is still very much the beating heart of the series. In Dexter: Original Sin, Hall will not only serve as an executive producer, but will also provide the narration for the prequel story – which is set to follow a younger version of the character, played by Patrick Gibson. His involvement in Resurrection is even more pronounced. Much like several previous characters, Hall will actually appear on screen as a "Dark Passenger" and guide to his son, Harrison.

It's a testament to the popularity of Hall's performance that producers feel he remains an indispensable part of the series' success.

Given that Dexter Morgan died at the end of New Blood, the show had the perfect opportunity to move on from the character into a bold new franchise. It's a testament to the popularity of Hall's performance that producers feel he remains an indispensable part of the series' success. However, while his popularity should not be taken for granted, it's also a worrying sign that Dexter doesn't seem to have a future without Michael C. Hall appearing in the story.

Michael C. Hall Dominating Dexter Is A Problem For The Show's Future

The Show Should Be Able To Survive Without Him

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As demonstrated by the two different tangents that the franchise is exploring, there are plenty of potential stories set within the Dexter universe that shouldn't need Michael C. Hall's direct involvement. Both a prequel and sequel series are potentially fascinating ways for the narrative to move forward. However, the fact that Hall is involved in both Dexter spinoffs is a worrying indication that the show is overly reliant on his presence to succeed.

Given that he was the lynch-pin of the original Showtime series, this dependence is perhaps unsurprising. However, it's a slightly damning indictment on the rest of Dexter's cast and characters that none of them are deemed strong enough to successfully carry the franchise into the future. Instead, producers clearly feel that they need the support of Dexter Morgan himself if the story is to expand.

The irony behind this is that, with Dexter overshadowing the events on screen, it's unlikely that either story will be able to stand on its own. Patrick Gibson's interpretation of Dexter risks being undermined by constant and inevitable comparison to the ever-present Hall, whereas Harrison will be seemingly forced to share a screen with his father in Resurrection. In both cases, the two new Dexter shows risk reminding viewers of the past instead of progressing into the future.

Dexter Needs To Find A Character To Carry The Show Forward

It's The Only Way To Build A Sustainable Future

As compelling a lead character as he undoubtedly is, viewers have now seen almost every aspect of Michael C. Hall's Dexter Morgan explored on screen. In eight original seasons and one limited spinoff, Dexter has gone through a range of transformational experiences – starting a family, losing loved ones, and even sacrificing himself to "save" his son. Yet every time he returns to the screen, it becomes increasingly difficult to bring something new to his story. Eventually, whatever role he assumes, Dexter Morgan will begin to feel stale.

The only solution is for the franchise to give a new character the breathing space to survive on their own terms. That could still be a younger version of Dexter in the prequel series Original Sin, or Harrison in a New Blood follow-up, but neither will be able to thrive if Hall continues to loom over the story. There are plenty of examples where spinoffs survived the absence of iconic lead characters. Better Call Saul, for instance, did without Walter White for almost its entire run. There is precedent there for Dexter to find a new path forward. However, if the original main character remains a major player, evolution could prove almost impossible.