Jennifer Carpenter answered all the questions – or at least most of the questions – we have of how her character will feature in the revival. I honestly had my money on “we thought she died but she didn’t”. But yeah, Carpenter’s explanation came in a close second.
Jennifer Carpenter Reveals That Her Dexter Character Won’t Return As a Ghost
In late July, it was announced that Carpenter’s Debra Morgan will be returning to the hit TV series reboot, despite being killed by her brother Dexter (Michael C Hall).
The original series ran for eight seasons – between 2006 and 2013.
Carpenter appeared during the Television Critics Association’s summer tour on Tuesday where she shared, via TVLine, that her character’s appearance will be in the form of a “new and imaginary iteration of Debra”.
This means that Debra will essentially be “taking over” as the new version of Harry Morgan (James Remar), Dexter’s late adopted father, who led him down the path of killing criminals that ultimately escape the justice system.
Harry continued to appear in the popular crime show, though as a representation of Dexter’s inner monologue. The role will now be fulfilled by Dexter’s late sister Debra.
“I don’t think of her as a ghost (per se), more of a link or an echo or an inconvenient truth for Dexter,” Carpenter shared. “(She) comes back to sort of haunt and punish and care-take and provoke and love (him).”
Michael C. Hall on what Debra’s Involvement Would Mean for His Character
Hall also remarked on how his onscreen character’s late sister appearing in the show will serve to give a personality to Dexter’s heartfelt grief and emotions.
“It was really fun to crack open our sense of [Dexter]’s internal landscape, because it’s much more pyrotechnic and crazy than it used to be.”
The final moments of the original series saw Dexter dumping Debra’s dead body into the ocean and driving his boat towards Hurricane Laura.
His boat is later shown to be smashed in pieces and he is presumed dead, but the very final moments give a glimpse into what would be a peaceful life for Dexter in the Pacific Northwest.
Dexter: New Blood will pick up ten years after the original series ended, with Dexter now living in the crime-ridden fictional town of Iron Lake, New York.
Clancy Brown will star in the series as Dexter’s new nemesis, Kurt Caldwell, the unofficial mayor of Iron Lake.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Dexter: New Blood right now. Come back here often for all Dexter: New Blood spoilers, news, and updates.