Last Updated: October 14, 2020
He may have retired at the end of the series but what are the odds of Dexter season 9 actually happening? Dexter is based on the 2004 novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by author Jeff Lindsey and follows the title character, played by Michael C. Hall (Six Feet Under). Dexter is a forensic technician who works the Miami police who also moonlights as a prolific serial killer. Instead of innocent victims, however, Dexter’s targets are other serial killers.
Dexter’s first few seasons felt fiercely original and were laced with black humor and lashings of gore. The show was also grounded by Hall’s fantastic central performance, which was backed up by Jennifer Carpenter’s turn as Dexter’s adoptive sister Debra. For many, the show peaked with its acclaimed fourth season, which featured an incredible recurring role for John Lithgow as the Trinity Killer, with the season ending on a shocking twist. Later seasons marked a turning point in the show’s popularity, with storylines becoming increasingly outlandish and silly. It ended with season 8, with Dexter’s series finale “Remember The Monsters?” being met with a mostly negative response.
The finale left room for its central character to continue his work, but what are the odds of Dexter season 9?
The Finale Saw Dexter Fake His Death
To the surprise of many, the titular character actually survived Dexter’s finale. After avenging his sister’s shooting at the hands of killer Saxon, Dexter takes Debra off life support and drops her body into the sea. He then drives into a hurricane, where he’s assumed to have perished. The final scenes reveal he faked his demise and is now a lumberjack in Oregon - a twist many found unsatisfying.
Original showrunner Clyde Phillips left Dexter after the fourth season and originally envisioned a more fitting ending. In Philips’ mind, the last scene would have revealed the entire series was Dexter’s life flashing before his eyes are he’s about to be executed at the Florida Penitentiary. As he’s about to die, he can see all his victims - the Trinity Killer, the Ice Truck Killer, etc - observing him from the witness room.
Michael C. Hall Is Open To A Dexter Revival
With the finale ending with a broken but very much alive Dexter going into hiding, there’s always a chance the show could return. In fact, Showtime ruled out the possibility of ending the show with the character’s death. For his part, Michael C. Hall hasn’t ruled out a Dexter return - he just hasn’t heard a good idea for one. The star also feels it’s still too early to consider a revival.
Dexter Season 9 Is Happening
Over seven years after Dexter’s original series finale aired, Showtime made the surprise announcement that Dexter is returning for season 9 on October 14, 2020. Michael C. Hall is back in the title role, and Clyde Phillips, showrunner of seasons 1-4, is also back onboard. Production on the 10-episode revival is scheduled for early 2021, with a planned premiere in fall 2021.
Next: Hannibal Season 4 Updates: Story, Release Date, Will It Happen?
