Summary
- Michael C. Hall returns as Dexter in the sequel series, Dexter: Resurrection, set for a summer 2025 release.
- Dexter faces backlash for breaking 'the code' by killing innocent character 'Coach' Logan in Dexter: New Blood.
- Dexter: Resurrection needs to address Dexter's remorse for Logan's death to regain audience support.
Dexter: Resurrection sees the surprise return of Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan in the sequel series to Dexter: New Blood. Many fans believed the titular serial killer died from a fatal gunshot wound in the 2021 limited series. This now appears to not be the case, as the former forensics lab geek will live to fight another day. However, Dexter: Resurrection has a serious problem with one particular kill that the lead character carried out in the final episode of Dexter: New Blood, when he escaped from prison by killing the innocent and likable Sgt 'Coach' Logan.
Michael C. Hall confirmed at San Diego Comic Con that he would be returning to his most famous role, and elaborated about the nature of the unexpected comeback in a recent interview. Hall suggested his iconic character's death wasn't actually confirmed in Dexter: New Blood, after being shot in the chest by his teenage son, Harrison. This means that Dexter could actually be alive in Dexter: Resurrection, which is set for release in summer 2025.
Why Did Dexter Kill 'Coach' Logan In Dexter: New Blood?
The hook for the original Dexter series was that Dexter Morgan was a serial killer with one big difference: He only killed bad people. Except for a couple of incidences of mistaken identity, Dexter largely stuck to the code that his adoptive father, Harry Morgan, set out for him, so he would never take the life of an innocent person. However, in the final episode of Dexter: New Blood, Dexter breaks Harry's code.
Dexter finds himself in a jail cell at the Iron Lake Police Station, after his former girlfriend, Chief Angela Bishop (Julia Jones), arrests him after discovering he was the Bay Harbor Butcher. When Bishop leaves the station to investigate a lead on the missing girls killed by Kurt Caldwell (Clancy Brown), Sgt 'Coach' Logan (Alano Miller) is left alone at the station with Dexter, who summons him to his cell to bring him some water. As Logan approaches his cell, Dexter grabs hold of him, hits him, and gets him in a neck hold, demanding the keys to release him from his cell.
Don't be a hero, Logan.
Logan reaches for his gun and tries to shoot Dexter, which leads to the serial killer snapping his neck. Dexter takes no pleasure in killing Logan, who is just doing his job, but he does so in order to escape. Dexter's ultimate downfall is because of this kill, as Harrison figures out what his father has done and shoots him in the chest.
Dexter: Resurrection Will Have To Move Past Logan's Murder
Sgt. 'Coach' Logan was a well-respected, decent member of the Iron Lake community, who volunteered as the wrestling coach at the local school in Dexter: New Blood. When Dexter killed Logan, it was a severe betrayal of his code of ethics. In what was supposed to be the final ever episode in the Dexter universe, this incident was the 'point of no return' usually faced by the lead character in the age of antihero dramas. He was now irredeemable in the eyes of the audience and, 'deserved' his ultimate fate. But this 'ending' is now seen through a different lens, with the announcement of Dexter Morgan's return in Dexter Resurrection.
Dexter: Resurrection now has a huge problem facing up to what Dexter did to 'Coach' Logan, as it goes against everything the character stands for. Dexter has always been a serial killer, but the audience rooted for him because he only killed the worst in society. How does Dexter: Resurrection deal with the fact that Dexter killed one of the good guys? The sequel series needs to somehow get fans back on Dexter's side, if they are going to root for him once again.
It would be easier to handle if Dexter: Resurrection was going to be a limited series designed to wrap up Dexter's story, and finally see him face justice for his crimes, similar to what Dexter: New Blood was supposed to be. However, Michael C. Hall revealed in an interview with Variety that this was not the plan. When the interviewer asked whether the project would have multiple seasons, the actor responded:
Potentially, yeah.
Dexter: Resurrection needs to show Dexter being remorseful for Logan's death, if fans are to engage with the character once again. Fans were more than happy to live vicariously through Dexter's dastardly deeds in the original show. He killed the best villains in the Dexter series, including Trinity, The Ice Truck Killer, Miguel Prado and many others. However, the murder of an innocent person is not condoned in the Dexter universe. It must be repented for, if the new show is to successfully run for multiple seasons.
Another good way to get fans back in Dexter's camp would be to introduce the most evil villain imaginable, for Dexter to defeat in Dexter: Resurrection. If 'the dark defender' that Dexter envisioned himself to be way back in season 2 is 'resurrected', the audience would embrace him again.
Dexter: Original Sin Doesn't Have To Include This Character (But It Would Be Great If It Did)
Nobody has been cast to play a younger version of one particularly popular character in Dexter: Original Sin.