Key Takeaways
- The Harrison spin-off was scrapped after a backlash, and Dexter: New Blood’s success led to plans to resurrect Dexter.
- Michael C. Hall hints at theories suggesting Dexter’s survival from a gunshot, including the cold conditions.
- Potential theories for Dexter’s survival include training Harrison to shoot him in the right place, bullet-proof vests, and blanks in the gun.
Excitement is building for Dexter: Resurrection, with Michael C. Hall returning to the role that turned him into a household name. Dexter Morgan is alive and preparing to return to his dark passenger, albeit after he’s recovered from his once seemingly fatal shooting. It was a bit of a head scratcher when it was announced at San Diego Comic Con 2024 that Dexter was returning in a sequel series, and speculation began about how exactly his survival would be explained. Fans have their theories, and Michael C. Hall has also hinted at how the serial killer with a code might’ve survived after being shot to the chest by his teenage son, Harrison, at the end of Dexter: New Blood.
The initial plan was to launch a Harrison spin-off. However, the backlash to the ending of New Blood, coupled with the unpopularity of the character of Harrison, led the creative team to head in a different direction. Showtime’s merger with Paramount+ also saw the plans change, especially after New Blood became the most watched television show in Showtime’s history. So, Dexter is being resurrected, and all that’s left is the explanation as to exactly how he survived.
Michael C. Hall Has Teased A Way In Which Dexter Survived Being Shot, But There Are Other Theories Out There
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Dexter: Resurrection |
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Starring |
Michael C. Hall (confirmed), Jack Alcott, David Zayas, Julia Jones, C. S Lee and Desmond Harrington (all rumored) |
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Created by |
Clyde Phillips |
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Executive Producers |
Clyde Phillips and Michael C. Hall |
Michael C. Hall has been tight-lipped about what the future holds for Dexter Morgan in Dexter Resurrection, but he has offered little tidbits of information to suggest how Dexter could actually be alive. In an interview with Variety, the actor hinted at how the serial killer might’ve pulled through:
I don’t know what I am authorized to say other than, it’s really cold out there.
So, it looks like the cold conditions could’ve helped to keep Dexter alive long enough until paramedics turned up to treat him properly. Having said that, it looked like the bullet hit him in the heart, so the writers have a lot of explaining to do. There are a lot of theories out there that suggest there might be other ways Dexter might’ve survived.
Dexter Trained Harrison To Shoot Him In The Right Place
A possible theory for how Dexter could’ve survived is that he somehow taught Harrison to shoot him in the right place, so he would miss his heart. It’s far-fetched, but it’s certainly possible. Dexter clearly didn’t get shot in the heart, as he’ll be alive in Dexter: Resurrection, unless the sequel series decides to adapt some of the crazy supernatural elements of Jeff Lindsay’s books, and literally raise Dexter from the dead. Showrunner, Clyde Phillips is already on thin ice after the major retcon of New Blood‘s ending after he’d confirmed Dexter was dead in an interview with Deadline back 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 Was Wearing A Bullet-Proof Vest And He Had Taped Packets Of Blood Onto His Body
The dangerous rabbit hole that is Reddit is responsible for this next theory: A redditor known as schnooky came up with this absolute gem of an idea:
Dexter knew that Harrison would find out he killed Logan and might turn on him. So he wore a bulletproof vest and taped packets of fake blood over it. Harrison leaves believing he killed his dad. Angela goes to inspect Dexter’s body. Dexter springs up, knocks her out, and handcuffs her.
Harrison’s Gun Was Firing Blanks
Dexter gifted Harrison the gun that he ended up shooting him with, so it’s more than likely that he loaded it with blanks, knowing what his son’s erratic behavior was like. So this theory would tie in with the packets of blood being taped onto his body to make it look realistic.
What Could Happen After Dexter Survives?
Regardless of how Dexter’s survival is explained, the fact is: he is alive, and the writers are going to have to figure out a way to continue Dexter’s story. It’s looking like it could be an ongoing saga, as opposed to a limited series, so they’ll need to figure out something that keeps Dexter out of prison, unless they plan to do a Mindhunter 2.0 style project (which is highly doubtful).
After recovering from his injuries, Dexter could escape captivity and go on the run, and set up shop in a brand-new location, a la New Blood, and start killing bad people all over again, while trying to evade capture from Angel Batista and the rest of America’s law enforcement. Or, Dexter could team up with the FBI to help them track down serial killers and get a pardon in exchange for his help. There are surely other options on the table and the writing team will probably figure out a completely different route for Dexter.
