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Has Franchise Fatigue Ruined Dexter’s Legacy?

Despite having one of the worst series finales in TV history, Dexter is still widely regarded as one of the best shows of the last 20 years. 

Michael C. Hall’s compelling performance as the titular serial killer drew acclaim, and the series broke new ground for Showtime at a time when the premium cable network needed hit series that were big around the globe. 

The TV market was different in 2006 when the series premiered.

Dexter's Truths - Dexter: New Blood Season 1 Episode 9
Dexter (Michael C. Hall) has a frank discussion with his son. (Seacia Pavao/Showtime)

Thanks to the current trend of turning any moderately successful property into a franchise, what was once a diamond in the rough has been milked dry. At least two more shows are still coming. 

Dexter: New Blood was a fantastic opportunity to write the wrongs of Dexter’s 2013 series finale, but it was marred by having an equally divisive family in the form of Dexter’s son, Harrison, seemingly finishing him off for good. 

As Dexter: Original Sin has already revealed, Dexter survived the attempt on his life and is destined to kill again when he takes center stage in the present-day sequel, Dexter: Resurrection. 

Of course, there are so many questions up in the air about whether this fourth entry in the franchise will have a story to tell because, let’s face it, there isn’t much left to tell at this stage. 

Dexter: New Blood Wasn’t Necessary

Dexter confronts Harrison - Dexter: New Blood Season 1 Episode 10
(Seacia Pavao/Showtime)

Dexter: New Blood featured a weatherbeaten iteration of the serial killer, one that struggled to come to terms with the decisions he made that led to him going on the run at the end of Dexter Season 8

Now that so much time has passed, Paramount+, Showtime, and series producers believe that diehard fans will be waiting with bated breath for more. 

However, given the ho-hum response to Dexter: Original Sin so far, it’s hard to believe there is much interest in any of the future series in the franchise. 

That’s not to say Dexter: Original Sin has been ignored by viewers because Paramount+ with Showtime has been talking about how well it’s performing.

It wouldn’t be the first show that didn’t get a great response but went on to overperform in the ratings. 

Keep Calm and Murder On - Dexter: New Blood Season 1 Episode 10
(Seacia Pavao/Showtime)

That said, Dexter: Original Sin has some saving grace because it features many fan-favorite characters long before they lost their lives in the original series. 

It’s a stretch to say that there are many stories to mine here because we spent so much time in Dexter’s past before. His upbringing haunted him to the point that he had to confront it years later, or he would have lost himself completely. 

For now, Dexter: Original Sin is a passable entry because it’s set in the past, but I firmly believe that this franchise has nothing left to say about the present-day storylines. 

Dexter: Resurrection is Destined for Disappointment

The recent casting announcement for Dexter: Resurrection that David Zayas, Jack Alcott, and James Remar have copped series regular roles didn’t give me the fuzzies either. 

Harrison isn’t the worst character the franchise has featured, but after Dexter: New Blood, what else can he do in this franchise? At one point, I balked at the idea of Alcot leading a Dexter: New Blood follow-up about him living in a Dexter-free world. 

(Photo Credit: Patrick Wymore/Paramount+ with Showtime)

That show would have been a more plausible direction for the franchise now that Dexter is alive. 

We also have a second prequel series with John Lithgow’s Trinity Killer taking center stage. 

John was a revelation as the serial killer during his incomparable turn on Dexter, but this strikes me as something that may have been worthwhile over ten years ago while the whole world was talking about the show. 

I may be proven wrong later this year, but for now, the Dexter franchise has been worked to the bone and is poised to continue to lose relevance as Paramount+ with Showtime throws everything at the wall to see what sticks. 

Arthur Mitchell
(Showtime/Screenshot)

What are your thoughts, Dexter Fanatics?

Do you think there’s any way the franchise can remain a hit for much longer? 

Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Let us know if you’ve been enjoying Dexter: Original Sin and whether Dexter: Resurrection will be on your watch list.

Watch Dexter: Original Sin Online

Robert

Wednesday 22nd of January 2025

Paul Dailly, I'm going to have to disagree with you on all fronts, Here's why. You seem to be blaming Paramount Plus for trying to milk this franchise but you are missing a piece of the puzzle here. That's not to say Paramount would not try to push for more if its working, that's just common business in Hollywood. However,It was Michael C. Hall that wanted to come back and do more and initiated a conversation along with Clyde Philips and Paramount about returning to do more, so It was not Paramount's initial idea, but they were sold on a the ideas of a continuation. You would have known this had you done a little more homework.

For Dexter Resurrection, you said "there isn’t much left to tell at this stage". I beg to differ, which points out to me that you're not a story teller or writer in that respect. A good team of experienced writers who's job is to write and tell stories can expand and create on the narrative and bring a new fresh take, a new journey for Dexter that does not feel like its old or recycled from the Original show. These writers are the same one's who wrote for the Original show and that's even better because they already know this universe. I trust they know what they're doing and what direction to take. I would be lying if I said that everyone will love what they will be doing cause lets face it not everyone will and you can't please everyone.

Dexter Original Sin, the show takes us back to the very beginning to when Dexter started out. You point out that much of the past was told on the original show through flash backs, not really, what we got were bits and pieces of the past that served the moment in a particular episode without much context or back story. Original Sin can accomplish that by given us more context an expanded set of stories and back stories of characters we know along with new characters that were never mentioned on the original show. We get to learn more, we get to grow with the Morgan family, we get to see Deb as a teenager and what she was like back then with more back story and context and see events unfold that shapes her character in becoming what we started with on the original show, how and why she was so damaged. There's a lot more fresh new stories to be told in Original Sin, Dexter has well over a 100 kills that many of them were never explored in flash backs or mentioned on the Original show, there's a lot of room to work with. Original Sin is doing very well, lot of excellent and positive reviews, fans old and new are really enjoying it and want more, so you can't say its not good if viewers are there. I think your wrong and many things you pointed out. I tend to be more positive rather than negative.

Heather

Tuesday 21st of January 2025

I don't know, I was kind of excited to hear they were making a show about the Trinity Killer

Stolzy

Wednesday 15th of January 2025

Paul seriously can you be anymore wrong?

Donna

Monday 13th of January 2025

Dexter Original Sin is centered around teenage and early 20 age people which isn't as exciting or interesting to us older adults who fell in love with Dexter. The original Dexter had professionals in their 30s, 40s and beyond that drew us in and is what we're looking for now to keep us entertained. The Dexter Resurrection franchise can draw us all in again with the right casting and characters.

Neville

Tuesday 14th of January 2025

That makes no sense at all. You don't like the prequel because dexter is in his 20's? What? I started watching when season 7 was airing in 2012. Watched every season all the way, i was barely 20 years old myself at the time, and i promise you, i didn't watch it because it was about "professionals in their 30's and 40's" or whatever nonsense you just said. I watched it because it was an amazing show with a great cast and strong writing (sans the last 2 seasons). If you don't like the prequel then fine (i love it) but your reasoning is beyond silly.

Carissa Pavlica

Monday 13th of January 2025

I think the younger versions of Dexter on Original Sin are fun because it's like looking back at my own life. I remember the '90s very well, which helps! 😆

Jeanette

Monday 13th of January 2025

Landman? I love this show! I'm waiting for season 2. Great storyline! Seeing inside the oil business is very very interesting!

Carissa Pavlica

Monday 13th of January 2025

I assume you meant to write this comment under the Landman article. LOL I agree... It's a fantastic show!! We can count on one thing from Taylor Sheridan, and that's to buck the norm and show us things about our country and the world that other shows won't. I appreciate that very much!

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