WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Dexter: Resurrection episodes 1 & 2.
The thirdDexterspinoff and second sequel series,Dexter: Resurrection, features a slate of returning characters from the original eight-season show, as well asNew Bloodand the prequel seriesOriginal Sin. After concluding in 2013, Dexter returned in2021’sNew Bloodand2024’sOriginal SinbeforeResurrection, which premiered on July 04, 2025.
As shown in thefirst two episodes ofDexter: Resurrection, the series takes place ten weeks after the events ofNew BloodwithMichael C. Hall’s iconic Dexter Morganalive at a rural hospital. After he gets anunexpected visit from old friend and Miami Metro homicide detective Angel Batista (Davis Zayas), he secretly makes a break for New York City.
Dexter isn’t only fleeing from Batista, however, as he discovers thatHarrison must be in the Big Apple after hearing about a murder victimwho was cut into nine pieces – just like Dexter had taught Harrison inNew Blood. Eager to clean up Harrison’s tracks, Dexter races to Manhattan with a second chance and newfound purpose in life.
10Michael C. Hall
The Star Of All Dexter Seasons
Michael C. Hall returns as the titular protagonist inDexter: Resurrection. After starring in all eight seasons of the original series and inNew Blood,Hall had a voiceover-only role inOriginal Sin, which takes place in the early 1990s. It’s the onlyDexterseason that Hall does not physically appear in, with Patrick Gibson becoming the second actor to ever portray the character.
Before rising to TV immortality as Dexter Morgan in 2006’s season 1 premiere, Hall played David Fisher in the critically acclaimed HBO drama seriesSix Feet Under.Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2010 while filmingDexterseason 4, which is considered to be the greatest season ofDexterever made. Hall was married toDexterco-star Jennifer Carpenter, who played Debra Morgan, from 2008 to 2011.
Outside theDexteruniverse, which has earned him six Emmy nominations, Hall has starred in the Netflix seriesSafeand even portrayed President Kennedy on a 2017 episode ofThe Crown. He is without a doubtthe sole face of the entireDexterTV franchise.
9James Remar
Appeared In The Original Series
James Remar makes his first return to theDexteruniverse since the original series finale in 2013. Although his character is portrayed inOriginal Sin, actor Christian Slater took over the reins of Harry Morgan in the prequel series.Remar does not appear inNew Bloodbecause Carpenter’s Debra took overas Dexter’s ghostly guide in that sequel series.
Even though he died before the original series began, Harry Morgan is a pivotal character in theDexterfranchise.
Even though he died before the original series began, Harry Morgan is a pivotal character in theDexterfranchise.He helped a younger Dexter develop a code and control his urge to kill, which is chronicled inOriginal Sin. He continues to be Dexter’s strongest guide in life, even from the dead. Harry took his own life after walking in on Dexter dismembering a body.
Outside ofDexter, Remar has appeared in acclaimed feature films such asOppenheimer,Django Unchained, andOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood.He’s also made appearances in celebrated TV shows such asYellowstone,The Rookie,City on a Hill,Animal Kingdom, andGotham.
8Jack Alcott
Appeared In New Blood
Jack Alcott’s Harrison Morgan is one of the few characters that were first introduced inNew Bloodto return for Resurrection. As Dexter’s only biological son,Harrison has become a significant character as an adult in both sequel series. His character was only a child throughout the original series.
Like Dexter, Harrison was “born in blood” after being introduced inDexterseason 4 as the newborn child of Dexter and his former wife, Rita. The Trinity Killer, played by John Lithgow, infamously killed Rita in the season 4 finale. Dexter returned home after killing Trinity to find Rita dead in the bathtub, withHarrison crying on the bathroom floor in a pool of her blood.
Alcott rose to prominence as Harrison inNew Blood. He’s also appeared inepisodes ofPoker FaceandThe Blacklist.He’s set to appear in the upcoming moviesKilling FaithandLone Rider.
7David Zayas
Appeared In The Original & New Blood
Apart from Dexter himself, David Zayas is the only actor from the original series whose character is still alive to appear in the first two episodes ofDexter: Resurrection. HisAngel Batista character made a brief appearance at the end ofNew Blood, which set up his investigation into Dexter as the real Bay Harbor Butcher inResurrection.
Batista will continue to pursue his investigation into Dexter inResurrection,determined to bring justice to Maria LaGuerta, his former wife and Miami Metro associate, who was secretly killed by Debra Morgan in the season 7 finale.
Zayas has also appeared in the critically acclaimed FX seriesThe Bearas well as celebrated shows likeBlue Bloods,The Blacklist, andBob’s Burgers.
6David Magidoff
New Bloodsupporting cast member David Magidoff returns at the start ofDexter: Resurrection. His character,the likable small town police officer Teddy Reed, offers Dexter an apologyand asks if he plans to sue the Iron Lake police department following the events of New Blood’s finale.
Julia Jones, who playsChief Angela Bishop inNew Blood, does not appear inResurrectionexcept for previously released flashback scenes. Her character flees Iron Lake after taking the blame for accidentally shooting Dexter, although she did contact Batista, which is how he got involved.
Magidoff is also known for his roles inThe Morning Show,The Cleaning Lady, andAmerican Crime Story.
Appeared In Original Sin
Image via Paramount+
Child actorEli Sherman made his Dexter debut as Young Dexter inOriginal Sin. He appears in a brief shot during Dexter’s dream sequence at the start of theResurrectionseries premiere. Sherman made his acting debut inOriginal Sin, appearing in seven of season 1’s ten episodes.
Child actor Xander Mateo briefly appears in Resurrection during Dexter’s dream sequence from his hospital bed.Mateo plays the younger version of Dexter’s biological brother, Brian Moser, who is better known as the Ice Truck Killer fromDexterseason 1.
Mateo made his acting debut in an episode ofThe Residentin 2018. Outside ofDexter: Original Sin, in which he also appears in seven of season 1’s ten episodes, Mateo’s acting credits includeThe Righteous Gemstones,Five Nights at Freddy’s, andBad Monkey.
3John Lithgow
Appeared In Dexter Season 4
Although Lithgow’s Trinity Killer character was killed off in the season 4 finale, the Emmy-winning actor hasreprised his role as Arthur Mitchell in bothNew BloodandResurrectionin the form of flashbacks and dream sequences.
The significance of Lithgow’s Trinity Killer goes without saying for Dexter fans.Lithgow revealed that he was only involved in one day of filming forDexter: Resurrection, suggesting that he likely won’t be seen again following his ghostly appearance at the beginning of Resurrection.
2Jimmy Smits
Appeared In Dexter Season 3
Jimmy Smits, who played another classicDextervillain, season 3’sMiguel Prado, makes his first return to the franchise since 2008. Unlike Lithgow, Prado did not “return from the dead” inNew Blood. He will likely not appear again past the dream sequence.
Prado was one of the few characters who ever caught Dexterin the act of killing. Dexter ended up killing him in the season 3 finale for going against Harry’s Code and killing innocent people.
1Erik King
Appeared In Dexter Seasons 1, 2, & 7
Surprise (expletive)!James Doakes, played by Erik King, makes his return to the Dexteruniverseas a ghost inDexter: Resurrection. He tells Dexter that even though he’s a “creep m*****f****r,” he still has some good in him, which is why he has to go be a father to Harrison.
Dexter framed Doakes as the Bay Harbor Butcherafter his season 2 killer girlfriend, Lila, blew up the cabin that Dexter was holding Doakes prisoner in. Doakes found out that Dexter was the real Bay Harbor Butcher in season 2, a truth that Batista will attempt to bring to light inDexter: Resurrection.
