Dexter (TV series)

Dexter
Genre
Based onDarkly Dreaming Dexter
by Jeff Lindsay
Developed byJames Manos Jr.
Showrunners
Starring
Theme music composerRolfe Kent
ComposerDaniel Licht
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons8
No. of episodes96 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Production locations
Cinematography
Running time47–58 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkShowtime
ReleaseOctober 1, 2006 (2006-10-01) –
September 22, 2013 (2013-09-22)
Related
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Dexter is an American Crime drama series that aired on Showtime from October 1, 2006, to September 22, 2013.[1] Set in Miami, the series centers on Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a forensic technician specializing in blood spatter analysis for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department, who leads a secret parallel life as a vigilante serial killer, hunting down murderers who have not been adequately punished by the justice system due to corruption or legal technicalities. The show's first season was derived from the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter (2004), the first in a series of novels by Jeff Lindsay. It was adapted for television by James Manos Jr., who wrote the first episode.[2] Subsequent seasons evolved independently of Lindsay's works while using many of the same characters and concepts.

The series enjoyed mostly positive reviews throughout its run. The first four seasons were widely praised, but reception dropped considerably as the series progressed. The show has received myriad awards, including two Golden Globes won by Hall and John Lithgow for their roles as Dexter Morgan and Arthur Mitchell, respectively. Season four aired its season finale on December 13, 2009, to a record-breaking audience of 2.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched original series episode ever on Showtime at that time.[3][4]

In April 2013, Showtime announced that season eight would be the final season of Dexter.[5] The season eight premiere was the most watched Dexter episode, with more than 3 million viewers total.[6] The original broadcast of the series finale on September 22, 2013, drew 2.8 million viewers, the largest audience in Showtime's history.[7]

In October 2020, it was announced that Dexter would return with a ten-episode limited series titled Dexter: New Blood, with Hall reprising the title role and Clyde Phillips as showrunner, a position he occupied during the original series' first four seasons. The first season premiered on November 7, 2021, and concluded on January 9, 2022. A continuation of New Blood is in development.[8][9][10] In January 2023, a prequel series titled Dexter: Original Sin, was announced as being in development, with Clyde Phillips once again returning as showrunner. This series will follow a younger Dexter as he begins his career with the Miami Metro police department.[11][12][13]

  1. ^ Andy Ruddock (September 21, 2013). "Vale Dexter, the serial killer who changed the face of TV violence". The Conversation Australia. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. ^ Dexter (Crime, Drama, Mystery), Showtime Networks, John Goldwyn Productions, The Colleton Company, October 1, 2006, archived from the original on September 21, 2021, retrieved September 23, 2021
  3. ^ Hibberd, James (December 14, 2009). ""Dexter" Season Finale Slashes Records". ABC News.
  4. ^ Weprin, Alex (December 8, 2009). "Cable Ratings: "Dexter" Draws Record Rating For Showtime". Broadcasting & Cable.
  5. ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 18, 2013). "Dexter's Done: Showtime Confirms Season 8 Will Be Long-Running Drama's Last". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  6. ^ "'Ray Donovan' Delivers Showtime's Highest-Rated Original Series Premiere Ever + 'Dexter' Breaks Premiere Viewership Records". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013.
  7. ^ David Hinckley (September 23, 2013). "'Dexter' series finale draws in record 2.8 million viewers". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Revival was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 6, 2023). "'Dexter,' 'Billions' Spinoffs in the Works as Showtime Doubles Down on Franchise Plan". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Squires, John (February 6, 2023). ""Dexter: Origins" – Prequel Series Ordered by Showtime Plus "Dexter: New Blood" Will Continue". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  11. ^ Ausiello, Michael (February 6, 2023). "Dexter: Origins Prequel Spinoff Ordered to Series — Find Out What Age Dexter Will Be When Story Begins". TVLine. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  12. ^ "Dexter Spin-Offs Announced Including New Blood Sequel, Origins Series, And Trinity Killer Prequel". Empire. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  13. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 6, 2023). "'Dexter,' 'Billions' Spinoffs in the Works as Showtime Doubles Down on Franchise Plan". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2023.