Summary
- Dexter: New Blood ending has been retconned to set up a new sequel called Dexter: Resurrection.
- Showrunner Clyde Phillips risks losing fans if sequel series isn't well-executed
- Michael C. Hall confirms Dexter: Resurrection won't be a limited series, and it could last multiple seasons.
It's a busy time for the Dexter showrunner, Clyde Phillips, with the announcement of Michael C. Hall's return in Dexter: Resurrection, and production well underway for the prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin, both of which he is part of. Paramount's merger with Showtime has led to an interest in expanding the Dexter universe, and this appears to have prompted the biggest ever retcon in the series' history, with the revelation that Dexter survived the events of Dexter: New Blood, despite Clyde Phillips previously confirming his death.
Dexter: New Blood was Showtime's biggest ever success in terms of ratings, and this led to discussions taking place for a Harrison spin-off series, but these plans were scrapped, and a prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin, was announced instead. However, Phillips and his writing team began working on an idea to continue Dexter's story post New Blood, and Dexter: Resurrection was confirmed by him and Michael C. Hall at San Diego Comic Con 2024.
Dexter: Resurrection Has A Big Problem Justifying This Kill
Dexter is back in Dexter: Resurrection, but after his arrest in New Blood, he broke Harry's code, which creates a big problem moving forward.
The Ending of Dexter: New Blood Has Been Retconned But The Sequel Series Could Fix The Problems Fans Have With Both Finales
Dexter and Dexter: New Blood's finales both failed to stick the landing, in the eyes of many fans. However, it was very unexpected when showrunner, Clyde Phillips announced that New Blood wouldn't actually be the end after all, with MIchael C. Hall set to return in the upcoming Dexter sequel series.
Fans began wondering how this was possible after Dexter died from a gunshot wound to the chest, courtesy of his teenage son, Harrison. There wasn't any ambiguity with this ending, and Clyde Phillips even confirmed Dexter's fate during an interview with Deadline after the release of Dexter: New Blood's final episode in 2022:
I have three words for you: Dexter is dead. I wouldn’t do that to the audience. It would be dishonest. Here, there is no question that this is the finale of Dexter. Dexter is dead.
One of two things possibly happened here: Clyde Phillips had a sudden change of heart about killing Dexter, and was so keen to give the fans the ending they deserved, that he begged Paramount and Showtime to let him create a sequel series to right all the wrongs of both finales. Or, upon discovering what a resounding success Dexter: New Blood was, Paramount and Showtime realized the potential to make more money with the Dexter universe, and hired Clyde Phillips and his team of writers to start coming up with possible ways that they could retcon the ending of Dexter: New Blood, and keep Dexter alive.
Despite claiming Dexter was dead, and that it would be dishonest to the audience to claim otherwise, Clyde Phillips did exactly that to the audience, and he is gearing up to start work on Dexter: Resurrection, with a planned release date in summer 2025. However, it isn't all bad news, as Dexter's return could actually fix the problems fans had with both finales, and end the series on a better note that could ultimately appease the loyal fanbase.
Dexter: Resurrection Needs To Be Great Or It'll Risk Losing The Fans Due To The Retcon Of Dexter's Death
If Clyde Phillips and the rest of the Dexter: Resurrection writer's room come up with a great concept, and the sequel series is lauded as the best Dexter series ever, fans will forgive Clyde Phillips for lying to them about Dexter's fate. However, if Dexter: Resurrection is badly executed, it risks losing the fans forever.
If Dexter: Resurrection results in a third successive 'ending' that the large majority of the fans hate, it could be curtains for the whole franchise. Despite the ending of Dexter: New Blood being a big disappointment to many fans, it was at least a definitive end to Dexter's story, in contrast to the original Dexter series back in 2013.
Michael C. Hall elaborated a little bit more on his return in Dexter: Resurrection, in an interview with Variety, where he confirmed that the spin-off sequel won't be a limited series, which could be a cause for concern. It appears this new iteration of Dexter could go on for multiple seasons, with no end in sight. The whole point of Dexter: New Blood was to finally end a show that was on its last legs after eight long seasons.
Clyde Phillips wasn't responsible for the divisive ending to the original Dexter series, as he'd left his role of showrunner after the much praised fourth season back in 2009. In fact, he had an alternate ending that could be used in Dexter: Resurrection, that was considerably better than the one fans got in 2013. But this ending has been in circulation for many years now, and it wouldn't be surprising enough for fans if it was used. Phillips and his team will have to come up with something different in Dexter:Resurrection that satisfies the majority of fans. It's not like Dexter: New Blood was one of those TV shows that had the perfect ending and has kept going, meaning there is potential for Dexter: Resurrection's retcon to ultimately be a good thing.