Dexter: New Blood might not be the end of the franchise, according to a Paramount executive. The revival of Dexter, which saw Michael C. Hall return in the titular role, was anticipated by fans due to the polarizing ending of the original Showtime series. That first conclusion, which saw Hall's character fleeing Miami and becoming a lumberjack in Oregon, drew a myriad of negative responses and led to Hall being asked frequently if there would ever be a follow-up. Clyde Phillips, who served as the original showrunner, received those same questions, and began thinking of a way to bring back the popular drama in a way that would be satisfying and narratively fitting.
Ultimately, in November of last year, Dexter: New Blood debuted on Showtime. Hall reprised the role of Dexter Morgan and Phillips served as executive producer, collaborating on a story that saw Morgan living in the fictional town of Iron Lake and working hard to keep his serial killer impulses in check. The continuation, consisting of ten episodes, drew generally positive reactions from both general audiences and critics, though the finale once again garnered a divisive response.
As part of a wide-ranging conversation with THR, Paramount executive David Nevins addresses the future of Dexter directly. New Blood was a big draw for Showtime, which is owned by Paramount Media Networks, and Nevins is asked about the brands and franchises he'd be interested in developing further. In his response, excerpted below, the executive hints that more Dexter could be on the way:
There are a lot of things that I am working on. I don’t want to mention things until they are ready. There are a lot of things. What is the future the Dexter franchise? I am actively working on that.
Hall, for his part, has indicated that he's open to the idea of reviving his role in the future. Though he cautioned that he's not contractually obligated to return, and feels satisfied with the ending, he stressed that he would never say never. As for Phillips, he believed that Dexter was a strong asset for Showtime, saying he would happily do a spinoff about Dexter's son Harrison. These optimistic tones from both Nivens and the people more directly involved with the franchise are no surprise. The continuation gained viewers in linear ratings as it went along, and broke streaming records for Showtime when it premiered.
A spinoff centered around Harrison, as actor Jack Alcott has expressed interest in returning for, could be a way to keep the Dexter universe alive without having to bring back Hall for yet another retelling. Many long-running pop culture favorites have continued by shifting the focus to other characters, while others are so tied to the original cast that any new projects struggle to find momentum. It remains to be seen what happens, and whether the Paramount exec gets his wish, but it's good news for fans that there's a desire to keep the franchise going from the highest levels.
Source: THR