[WARNING: This story contains MAJOR spoilers for Dexter season 7]

Yvonne Strahovski's Hannah McKay was a Dexter season 7 highlight - tracing the twisted and captivating dangers presented in love and serial killing. As a result, it should come as no surprise that Strahovski is now confirmed for a return in season 8 of the series - especially considering the ambiguity surrounding Hannah's intentions in last season's finale.

Hannah's return was never guaranteed, as other key characters have been limited to a single story arc (Julia Stiles Emmy-nominated turn as Lumen Pierce for example), and it was always possible that the writers could choose not to include the character in Dexter's final season. Still, the return of Hannah (and subsequently Strahovski) is not exactly shocking, given that producers are now completing the last segment of a pre-planned three season finale arc. Since Dexter is set to conclude this year, even though Showtime was interested in future seasons, fans should expect to see the writers tie-up a number of loose ends.

EW was the first outlet to confirm Yvonne Strahovski will play a part in season 8 of the show. Now that Hannah is set to return, the questions becomes: what are her intentions for Dexter?

Episode 704

The last time we saw the character, she lashed-out against Dexter for turning her over to the police - after Hannah attempted to kill Deborah. When Hannah escapes custody by faking her own death, she takes the time to place a potted Black Orchid on Dexter's doorstep before disappearing - leading many viewers to speculate that she would return and try to kill her serial killer soul mate.

In the EW interview, which was conducted via a back and forth with the actress on Twitter, Strahovski asserted that she's known "forever" that she would be returning - implying her arc was in place before the writers set to work on season 8. However, the actress refused to comment on whether Hannah was out for blood or love - only asserting that the character will "shake things up":

@james_hibberd @tylersutkus Ah that's the big question isn't it? What are Hannah's true intentions.. we will just have to wait and seeeeeee— Yvonne Strahovski (@Y_Strahovski) April 10, 2013

@james_hibberd @anninhabuarque Yes..she is coming back to shake things up for Dexter a little...just to add to the turmoil :) #YonneDexter— Yvonne Strahovski (@Y_Strahovski) April 10, 2013

Given the thorny relationship between Hannah and Dexter, it's reassuring to hear that Strahovski's character will exist in a more complicated middle ground - not a just black or white/friend or foe dynamic. After all, despite their mutual love, Dexter and Hannah went to pretty gruesome extremes to ground their killer instincts in a functional and "normal" partnership. Maybe the second time around, they'll have better luck finding a conclusive ending - as lovers or enemies in a cat-and-mouse game of death.

Dexter Season 7 Finale - Hannah

In addition to the role Hannah will play, Strahovski also commented on the possibility of a spin-off series following her own serial killing exploits:

@james_hibberd re: spin off: who knows, it's all day by day, case by case. #YvonneDexter— Yvonne Strahovski (@Y_Strahovski) April 10, 2013

It's hard to imagine that a Hannah spin-off is actually in the cards - as most viewers expect the character to finish out her storyline in one of three possibilities:

  • A victim on Dexter's table.
  • Dexter's true love. Happily (killing bad guys) together ever after.
  • Dexter's killer.

Prior Dexter teaser trailers promise that the final chapter "isn't going to be pretty" and it'll be interesting to see what other surprises the show has in store - before the story of Darkly, Dreaming Dexter concludes.

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Dexter season 8 airs Sunday, June 30, on Showtime.

Source: EW and Yvonne Strahovski

Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick for more on Dexter as well as future movie, TV, and gaming news.