Julie Benz Admits She Should’ve ‘Spoken Up’ Against This Key Dexter Storyline

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Summary

  • Rita’s shocking death in Dexter was a gut punch to fans and even the actress herself.
  • Julie Benz felt Rita’s character was altered, wished she advocated for her more.
  • Rita won’t return in Dexter due to ending, but the Trinity Killer will make an appearance.

Despite Dexter wrapping up 12 years ago, the series continues to captivate fans thanks to numerous spinoffs and prequels developed within the franchise. The original Dexter series left a lasting impression with its unforgettable moments and characters, including Julie Benz’s portrayal of Rita Morgan, which remains particularly iconic.

As a devoted fan of the dark and intriguing world of Dexter, I had the privilege of portraying a unique character who managed to unveil a tender, more human aspect of Dexter Morgan during my four-season stint on the series. However, my journey came to an abrupt and heart-wrenching end when I fell victim to the ruthless Trinity Killer, a moment that still resonates as one of the most contentious and shocking twists in the show’s storied history.

The unexpected demise of Rita at the end of season four left many viewers in shock. Even though it seemed like Dexter was finally appreciating family life, this tragic event came as a surprise. It wasn’t only fans who were taken aback; Julie Benz herself admitted to Happy Horror Time that she found out about Rita’s death just a couple of days before the season finale. She expressed her feelings of devastation, stating, “I was more devastated than anyone else. I felt like I had let down Rita in some way.” In seasons 1 and 2, the relationship between Dexter and Rita was beautifully portrayed. However, as some writers left and new ones joined, they failed to recreate that dynamic. Looking back, Benz wishes she had spoken up more for Rita’s character.

In a subsequent discussion, Benz shared that it wasn’t only Rita’s untimely demise that she believed needed to be addressed. She also felt that Rita’s character was being significantly altered in terms of her personality. She put it this way, “I wish I had spoken up, particularly during Season 3. They were making Rita increasingly silly. I voiced my reservations to my supervisor, but I enjoyed being part of the show, so I didn’t push the issue further. I thought things would change eventually. Looking back now, I understand that I should have fought harder for her character. They turned her into a punchline and, in some aspects, portrayed her as Dexter’s nemesis. If given the chance to redo it, I would have stood up for her more. Some choices just didn’t seem right.

Eventually, Benz reappeared on the fifth season of Dexter for a brief role, but because her character’s fate, it was never feasible to have her return permanently. Similarly, Rita will not make a comeback in the upcoming Dexter: Resurrection. On the other hand, John Lithgow’s Trinity Killer is planned for a reappearance, demonstrating that any character could potentially make unexpected returns.

The audience found Rita appealing because she attempted to guide Dexter towards a normal existence. She added an intriguing twist to his character that no other romantic interest could quite match. Throughout the series, which was filled with numerous deaths, emotional resonance was often lost. However, due to Rita’s kind personality and her role as a mother, her death proved to be one of the most heart-wrenching moments in Dexter’s entire storyline.

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2025-04-04 20:54