Summary
Dexter: Original Sinis currently in production, and it’ll debut on Paramount + with Showtime in December 2025. Patrick Gibson will take on the role of young Dexter Morgan, with Christian Slater playing the role of his adoptive father, Harry Morgan.Fans have already seen a lot of Dexter’s origin story inDexter, which ran between 2006-2013, and this could create some issues for the prequel series.
Dexter: Original Sinwill have to carefully navigate what fans already know about Dexter’s past, if it is to be a success.The past plays a big part in the originalDexterseries, with Harry Morgan acting asDexter’s ghostas well as featuring in multiple flashbacks in the early seasons of the show. Michael C. Hall will be ‘the inner voice of Dexter’ in the prequel series, which will further connectDexter: Original Sinto the parent series.
The Original Series Featured Lots Of Flashbacks And This Creates Potential Problems For Dexter: Original Sin
Dexter is very much haunted by his past in the original series, andthere are constant flashbacks to represent his early years, which could cause some issues when it comes toDexter: Original Sintelling his origin storyin more detail. A balance must be struck between providing new details about his past, but also honoring what fans already know. Here are some of the key moments in Dexter’s early life that have already been shown in the originalDexterseries:
Laura Moser’s Murder
Dexter’s mother, Laura Moser, was Harry Morgan’s confidential informant long before the start ofDexter, and also way before the timeline of the prequel series, which will be set in 1991. Fans hear a lot of details about Laura Moser inDexter, but it looks likeDexter: Original Sincould reveal something new about the murder of Dexter’s mother, but this must be managed correctly, or it couldrisk losing fans due to a major retcon, and go against what is already known about the incident.
Harry Morgan’s Code
Dexter: Original Sinhas a major problem with Harry’s code, as it was revealed in the final season ofDexter, that Evelyn Vogel helped him come up with it. The prequel series needs to decide if it features Vogel, or ignores her completely. If the latter option is chosen, they need to do so in a particular way that doesn’t discredit the original series.One thing that cannot happen is a meeting between young Dexter and Evelyn Vogel inDexter: Original Sinbecause their first meeting was inDexterseason 8.
Dexter’s First Kill And Harry’s Subsequent Death
Dexter: Original Sinshould featureDexter’s first kill, but the prequel needs to be mindful of how and when it happens, as it’s already been portrayed in the original series.Michael C. Hallfamously wore a rather over-the-top wig in the flashback scene where he kills Harry’s nurse, Mary, who was looking after him while he was hospitalized with heart issues.
Dexter’s first kill happens in 1991, so that matches up correctly with when the first season ofDexter: Original Sinbegins. However, according to the correct timeline established inDexter, Harry Morgan dies from suicide one year after Nurse Mary’s death. So,Dexter: Original Sinmust honor this in the prequel, as any deviation from it would totally disrespect the original show.
Dexter: Original Sin Needs To Avoid Being Held Back By What Fans Have Already Seen Of Dexter’s Past, But It Must Also Respect The Timeline
There are some incidences in Dexter’s origin story that can be deviated from inDexter: Original Sin,as a lot of what fans see is Dexter’s own interpretation of events. So, for instance, the death of Dexter’s mother might not appear to be exactly what Dexter remembers, or thought was true. It has been confirmed that Brittany Allen will be playing Laura Moser inDexter: Original Sin, with 1970s flashbacks likely, in order to recreate her murder, possibly through the eyes of Harry Morgan this time.
As for Dexter’s first kill, it would be totally fine for it to be different to how it appeared in the original series.The flashback scene was Dexter’s own recollection of the incident over 15 years since it happened, so it’s quite feasible that some of the finer details were incorrect. And also, it’ll be Patrick Gibson recreating the scene inDexter: Original Sin, so differences are unavoidable. However,one thing that should not be changed is the timeline, especially when it relates to Harry Morgan’s death.
Harry died in 1992, one year afterDexter: Original Sinis set to begin.Christian Slater’s iteration of Harry Morgan will have to be short-lived if the prequel is to be faithful to the timeline of his death that was set out in the originalDexterseries.Harry Morgan could continue to make appearances inDexter; Original Sinas Dexter’s ghost, just like James Remar did with his version of Harry Morgan inDexterbetween 2006-2013. However, if they keep Harry Morgan alive past 1992,Dexter: Original Sinrisks losing the loyal fans who appreciate the finer details in the Dexter-verse.
