WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS for Dexter ahead.
Summary
It’s been more than ten years since most of the original cast ofDexterhave said goodbye to the celebrated series. While some beloved characters reprised their roles in the 2021Dextersequel seriesDexter: New Blood, many of the original cast members moved on from the Emmy-winning series to pursue other projects in both film and television. None of theDexteroriginal cast members are expected to appear in the upcomingDexterprequel seriesDexter: Original Sin, which will be developed byNew Bloodshowrunner Clyde Phillips.Michael C. Hall remains invested in the Dexter franchise as an executive producer onOriginal Sin.
TheDexterprequel series recently castGrey’s Anatomyalumnus Patrick Dempseyas a new character in the story world. Dempsey will play Captain Aaron Spencer, a fellow police officer of Harry Morgan, Dexter’s father, who had previously been portrayed by James Remar but will be recast by Christian Slater. The two exciting additions of Slater and Dempsey imply thatthe series will focus more intently on Harry’s character working for the Miami Metro Police Departmentthan ever before. The prequel chronicles the beginning of Dexter Morgan’s forensics career at the Miami Metro Police Department, which will bring back the classic original characters of Angel Batista, María LaGuerta, and Vince Masuka.
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Michael C. Hall
Dexter Morgan
Michael C. Hall will forever be known as the true Dexter Morgan due to his uniquely captivating performance as the titular character for eight seasons of the original series as well as the miniseriesNew Blood.Hall is notably a survivor of Hodgkin’s lymphoma after first getting diagnosed with the disease in 2010during the fourth season ofDexter. AfterDexterended in 2013, Hall starred in a few movies such asCold in July(2014),Christine(2016),Lazarus(2018), and Game Night(2018). He has also appeared in the television seriesThe Crown,Safe,Documentary Now!, andThe Defeated. He is expected to appear in 2025’sThe Gettysburg Addressalongside Dermot Mulroney and Sam Elliot.He’s also the lead singer of the band Princess Goes, which has released two albums.
Jennifer Carpenter
Debra Morgan
Jennifer Carpenter reprised her role as Debra Morgan alongside Michael C. Hall inDexter: New Blood, appearing as a figment of Dexter’s imagination much like Harry Morgan did throughout the original series. Despite having a complicated andcontroversial onscreen relationship,Carpenter and Hall were married in real life during the production ofDexterbetween the years of 2008 and 2011. AfterDexterconcluded in 2013, Carpenter became a lead on the television adaptation ofLimitlessinspired by the 2011 Bradley Cooper movie. Carpenter also starred in 2019’sThe Enemy Withinand appeared in one episode of Taylor Sheridan’sYellowstoneprequel1923.
James Remar
Harry Morgan
James Remar had a celebrated acting career before joining the cast ofDexter, appearing in dozens of films such asCruising(1980) starring Al Pacino and directed by William Friedkin and2 Fast 2 Furious(2003) as well as classic television series such asHill Street Blues(1981),Miami Vice(1985), andThe Equalizer(1987). After Dexter ended in 2013,Remar became a recurring character inGrey’s Anatomyseason 10and also appeared as Henry inWilfredseasons 3 and 4,Animal Kingdomseason 4, andCity on a Hill(2019). Recently, Remar has appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Best Picture winnerOppenheimerasFrancis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolis.
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Julie Benz
Rita Bennett
Julie Benz was a main character in the first four seasons ofDexterbefore her shocking death in the season 4 finale, which aired on August 16, 2025.Benz also appeared in theDexterseason 5 premiere in 2010before going on to star as Stephanie Powell inNo Ordinary Family(2010-2011). She also appeared inA Gifted Manalongside Patrick Wilson and all three seasons ofDefiance(2013-2015). Benz recently starred inLove, Victorand will star in the upcoming dramaThe Midway Point.
David Zayas
Angel Batista
David Zayas was one of the few actors to appear in all 96 episodes ofDexteralongside Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, and James Remar. Zayas was also one of the few originalDextercast members to reprise his role inNew Blood. Zayas has appeared in several other notable roles in film and television following the conclusion ofDexterin 2013. He played Lou in the 2014Annieremake and Sal Maroni in Fox’sGothamseries.He went on to star in the celebrated Netflix original seriesBloodlinealongside Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, and Linda Cardellini. He has recently starred inBlue BloodsandThe Blacklist.
Lauren Vélez
María LaGuerta
Lauren Vélez portrayed María LaGuerta for seven out ofDexter’seight seasons after she was unforgettably killed by Debra in the season 7 finale. After exiting fromDexter, she starred in seasons 3 and 4 ofHow to Get Away with Murderin 2016 and 2017 andvoiced Rio Morales inSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse(2018)andSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(2023). Vélez also appeared in 2019’sShaftand 2023’sTransformers: Rise of the Beastsas well asAmerican Rustseason 2 (2024)
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C. S. Lee
Vince Masuka
C. S. Lee is arguably best known for his role as Vince Masuka, which he played in 95 out ofDexter’s96 episodes. Lee has had a storied career in television, going on to appear inTrue Detectiveseason 2 as well as popular shows such asThe League,Fresh Off the Boat,Family Guy,Power,Sneaky Pete,MacGyver, 24: Legacy,Silicon Valley, andLethal Weapon. He has recently starred as Master Kim Sun-Young inCobra Kai, Apple’sFor All Mankind, and the live-actionAvatar: The Last Airbender.
Desmond Harrington
Joey Quinn
Desmond Harrington was a great addition to theDextermain cast in season 3, staying on all the way through to the series finale. Harrington went on to appear inThose Who Kill,The Astronaut Wives Club, andLimitlessbefore returning to movies withThe Neon Demonin 2016. He also starred in six episodes ofSneaky Pete, seven episodes ofElementaryseason 6, and seven episodes ofManhuntseason 2, which was Harrington’s most recent acting role. He currently has no official upcoming films or television series.
Geoff Pierson
Tom Matthews
Geoff Perison starred as Captain Tom Matthews in 43 ofDexter’s96 episodes, appearing in every episode of the final season. Pierson, who has appeared in dozens of films and television series such asBoardwalk Empire,Fringe, andIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, went on to appear inCastle,Person of Interest,Homeland, andVeepfollowing the conclusion ofDexter.He notably starred in 16 episodes ofDesignated Survivorand recently appeared inThe Terminal Listalongside Chris Pratt.
Erik King
James Doakes
Erik King only starred in the first two seasons ofDexterbut is undeniably one of the most memorable characters of the entire series. After his character Sgt. James Doakes was surprisingly killed inDexterseason 2 by Lila West, King went on to appear inGrowing Up Fisher,South of Hell,Banshee,Mistresses, andThe Detour. His most recent notable roles were in 2019’sThe Oathand 2020’sThe Good Fight. He is set to star in the 2024 horror filmCrybaby Bridge, but will always be a legend inDexter.
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Dexter
Cast
Dexter is a television series following Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police who secretly leads a dual life as a vigilante serial killer. Released in 2006, the show focuses on Dexter’s internal conflict as he hunts down criminals who elude justice within the legal system.
