Dexter: Resurrection Probably Exists Because This Character isn’t Popular Enough

by

Dexter: Resurrection Probably Exists Because This Character isn't Popular Enough

Highlights

  • Dexter is alive and set to return in Dexter: Resurrection, sparking speculation about why the Harrison spin-off was scrapped.
  • The Harrison spin-off likely did not happen due to the character’s unpopularity with fans, lack of development, and controversial actions.
  • Showtime initially planned for a sequel featuring Harrison, but opted for Michael C. Hall’s return in Dexter: Resurrection following Dexter: New Blood’s massive success.

As a longtime Dexter fan who has followed the twisted journey of our favorite serial killer since the show’s debut, it’s been quite a rollercoaster ride to witness the various twists and turns in Dexter’s world. The initial announcement of a Harrison spin-off series had me intrigued, but the recent news about its scrapping and the return of Michael C. Hall as Dexter in Dexter: Resurrection has left me with mixed feelings.

It came as quite a shock when news broke about the development of a new Dexter series, featuring Michael C. Hall reprising his role as the complex serial killer. The latest installment, Dexter: New Blood, seemed to conclude Dexter’s story with his apparent death from a gunshot wound inflicted by his son, Harrison. Many thought this marked the end of his tale, but plans were later announced for a spin-off centered around Harrison. However, these plans were ultimately abandoned in favor of Dexter: Resurrection, which is set to begin filming in January 2025, with a release on Paramount + and Showtime scheduled for the following summer.

In the show Dexter: Resurrection, it turns out that Dexter is still alive, which raises some intriguing questions regarding the choice of showrunner Clyde Phillips to pursue this plotline instead of focusing on a spin-off featuring Harrison. Many viewers found Harrison to be quite polarizing, and his actions, particularly his decision to kill Dexter, did not sit well with them. It seemed as though plans for a spin-off were abandoned due to Harrison’s lack of popularity among the audience, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t reappear in the upcoming sequel series.

What Was The Original Plan For The Dexter: New Blood Harrison Spin Off?

Dexter: Resurrection Probably Exists Because This Character isn't Popular Enough

Dexter: New Blood, a television series that broke records as Showtime’s most-watched show, sparked plans for an expansion of its universe. This expansion was intended to focus on a spinoff featuring Harrison, Dexter’s son, who would have discovered his own dark side after shooting Dexter in the chest. The unexpected conclusion and potential continuation of Dexter: New Blood, which didn’t initially involve Michael C. Hall, was clarified by executive producer Clyde Phillips in an interview with Deadline following the series finale in 2022.

There’s no room for ambiguity: Dexter is indeed deceased. I wouldn’t mislead the viewers like that. It would be untruthful. Clearly, this marks the end of Dexter.

The progress on the continuation of Harrison’s story remains unclear, but it appears that some significant event caused a shift in plans. In January 2023, it was disclosed that Showtime wouldn’t proceed with Dexter: New Blood, previously referred to as season 2. Instead, they opted for a prequel series titled Dexter: Original Sin, set to air in December 2024. At San Diego Comic Con 2024, Michael C. Hall and Clyde Phillips announced that a sequel called Dexter: Resurrection would be produced instead of the Harrison spin-off series.

The Harrison Spin-Off Probably Didn’t Happen Because The Character Wasn’t Very Popular

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but speculate about why the Harrison spin-off never came to fruition. It seems like it was around the same time that serious talks were underway regarding a merger between Paramount+ and Showtime. With Dexter’s immense popularity, particularly Michael C. Hall’s captivating portrayal of the character, Paramount might have chosen to capitalize on this success.

The audience reception towards Harrison Morgan was predominantly unfavorable, stemming from several aspects that might have contributed to the abandonment of a spin-off series featuring him. Upon his arrival in Iron Lake seeking his father, Harrison consistently created chaos for Dexter. His character appeared unstable and lacked purpose, an issue potentially caused by inadequate character development. Given that there were merely 10 episodes in Dexter: New Blood, it’s plausible that the limited time didn’t allow fans to fully embrace him.

Fans found themselves disliking Harrison due to his role in killing Dexter, or so it appeared at first. However, this changed significantly after a major retcon, as it seemed that the character was brought back primarily to kill Dexter’s father in the final episode. Given that Dexter: New Blood was a limited series with no plans for further development of Harrison beyond the finale, his character felt underdeveloped and lacked depth. The success of Dexter: New Blood, coupled with Dexter’s apparent death, left only one viable option to continue the story – through Harrison. Yet, the general disfavor towards the character may have led to a reconsideration of his role in future installments.

As of now, official announcements about the cast for “Dexter: Resurrection” haven’t been made beyond Michael C. Hall’s return. However, it seems highly probable that Jack Alcott will once again take on the role of Harrison Morgan. Additionally, there’s a possibility that some storylines initially intended for the Harrison spin-off series may be incorporated into “Dexter: Resurrection.”

Read More

2024-08-21 23:05