In a significant move under the new leadership, Showtime has announced a major programming decision that centers around its flagship Dexter franchise. Following the acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance, the Paramount TV Studios team, led by Matt Thunell, is prioritizing the current series, Dexter: Resurrection, featuring the iconic character portrayed by Michael C. Hall. This decision comes as the network has opted not to move forward with the prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin.
Showtime's new executive team has made it clear that they are committed to the success of the mothership series. A Season 2 writers room for Dexter: Resurrection has been commissioned ahead of its Season 1 finale, with plans to greenlight the new season pending budget approvals. This focus underlines the importance of the Hall-led series for the franchise’s longevity in the competitive television landscape.
Amid confusion regarding its status, Showtime has decided to cancel Dexter: Original Sin. Previous announcements by the former Showtime regime indicated that a second season had been greenlit, with a writers room set to open soon. However, sources reveal that the writers room did not commence, and production dates were never established, likely due to logistical challenges. As a result, the showrunner, Clyde Phillips, shifted the writing team to focus on Dexter: Resurrection instead.
The cancellation of Dexter: Original Sin has left other potential prequel projects in limbo. The former co-CEO of Paramount Global, Chris McCarthy, had championed the development of prequels to build expansive universes around popular intellectual properties. However, with his departure, the future of additional Dexter prequels, including one centered on the notorious Trinity Killer, remains uncertain.
Dexter: Original Sin, created and produced by Clyde Phillips, is set in 1991 Miami and follows the character Dexter, played by Patrick Gibson. The series explores Dexter's journey as he hones his killer instincts under the guidance of his adoptive father, Harry, portrayed by Christian Slater. Throughout its first season, the show garnered attention with a cast that included Molly Brown, Christina Milian, and guest stars like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Patrick Dempsey. The series premiered on December 13, attracting 2.1 million global viewers across Paramount+ and Showtime within the first three days.
In contrast, Dexter: Resurrection has seen impressive numbers since its launch. The premiere episode attracted 3.1 million cross-platform viewers in its first three days, with the total viewership climbing to 4.4 million within the first week, outperforming the initial premiere of Original Sin by approximately 25%. This series picks up after an intense moment where Dexter Morgan, played by Hall, wakes from a coma to find his son, Harrison, missing.
As Showtime continues to refine its programming strategy, the focus on the Dexter franchise underscores its potential for future success. With the upcoming Season 2 of Resurrection on the horizon, fans of the franchise have much to anticipate.
