The thrilling and suspenseful series about a serial killer was one of Showtime's most popular tv shows. Based on the book series written by Jeff Lindsay, the series ran from 2006 to 2013 and received mostly positive reviews from fans and critics alike. From new relationships to altered outlooks on life, Dexter went through quite a few changes over its run.
Fans of the original series will get to experience more stories from the world of Dexter Morgan with the release of the highly-anticipated revival of the show, Dexter: New Blood, set to air beginning in November of 2021.
10 Dexter Fell In Love (A Few Times)
Throughout the course of the series, Dexter became romantically involved with multiple women, including Lumen Pierce, Hannah McKay, and Rita Bennett, who he married in the final episode of season 3. The beginning of the show saw Dexter dating Rita to appear normal to those around him but did not develop feelings for Rita until later on.
After Rita was murdered by Arthur Mitchell AKA the Trinity Killer, Dexter pursued a relationship with Lumen in season 5, and with Hannah in seasons 7 and 8.
9 More People Discovered Dexter's Secret
Due to a variety of reasons, Dexter's secret life as the Bay Harbor Butcher was revealed to a small number of people at different points during the series. For instance, James Doakes witnessed Dexter attempting to dispose of a body and Debra saw Dexter kill Travis Marshall AKA the Doomsday Killer.
A serial killer herself, Hannah McKay became informed of Dexter's violent activities and fully supported him. While several individuals found out Dexter's secret, most of them were killed by the end of the series.
8 Dexter Made Friends
At the beginning of the show, Dexter was a loner who only interacted with people when necessary or to create the illusion that he was nothing more than a blood-spatter analyst. In fact, one of the few people Dexter talked to was his deceased father, with whom he had many imaginary conversations.
In addition to growing closer to his sister, Debra, and engaging in romantic relationships, Dexter developed into a person who could form friendships. As the series went on, Dexter inadvertently became friends with a select few, including Angel Batista and Vince Masuka, both of whom worked alongside Dexter at the Miami Metro Police Department.
7 Dexter Became A Father
For the first few seasons of the show, Dexter acted as a father figure to Rita's kids before becoming their stepfather through his marriage to Rita in the season 3 finale. Dexter and Rita later have a son together and name him Harrison after Dexter's father.
He makes his first appearance in season 4 and Dexter raises him after Rita is killed by Arthur Mitchell AKA the Trinity Killer. Harrison is set to make his return in Dexter: New Blood and will be played by Jack Alcott.
6 Dexter Began Killing To Save Others Rather Than Himself
When Dexter first started killing, he mostly did it for his own satisfaction. However, as time went by, Dexter began to kill people in order to protect those around him. Dexter desired to kill Arthur Mitchell as he wanted to protect Mitchell's family and other victims from being harmed.
Dexter also killed Miguel Prado in order to stop him from murdering Captain María LaGuerta. Even though he often executed many individuals for selfish reasons, he also believed that he could help others through his actions.
5 Dexter Became More Emotional
The Dexter Morgan from the first episode of the series was completely dedicated to satisfying his Dark Passenger and would not usually be willing to put the lives of others before himself. However, in the process of engaging in friendships, romances, and even his more violent activities, Dexter grew into a more emotional person.
For instance, during the time that he was raising his son, Harrison, Dexter cared for him and tried to protect him in every way possible. Additionally, Dexter fell in love with Hannah McKay and wanted to leave Miami to be with her and Harrison.
4 A Change In Setting
While a vast majority of the episodes took place in Miami, Florida, the upcoming revival of the series, Dexter: New Blood, will be set in the fictional city of Iron Lake, New York. The freezing temperatures of Iron Lake will be quite different from the weather in South Florida, which will most likely prompt Dexter to makes some changes.
Dexter was able to use the natural geography of Miami to his advantage by disposing of his victims in the ocean, but fans will just have to wait and see how the Bay Harbor Butcher operates in a different climate.
3 Dexter Took On Accomplices
Even though he worked alone for most of the series, Dexter did have some help with his activities as a serial killer. In season 3, Dexter teamed up with and befriended Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado, before killing him by the end of the season.
After rescuing her in season 5, Lumen Pierce joins Dexter and aids him in hunting down the villainous Jordan Chase. Additionally, Dexter mentored a young man named Zach Hamilton, who is eventually killed by Oliver Saxon AKA the Brain Surgeon.
2 Dexter Killed Less & Less
While the character seemed to be synonymous with murder, Dexter gradually drifted away from his need to kill in the later seasons. During most instances, Dexter gave in to his Dark Passenger and committed murder. However, after establishing certain friendships and romantic relationships, Dexter began to change his perspective on killing.
Dexter finally realized that he could control his Dark Passenger and that he could live his life without feeling compelled to kill people. Dexter also wanted to stop killing in order to be a positive influence for his son, Harrison.
1 Dexter Fakes His Death & Goes On The Run
The series finale of Dexter is viewed by many as an unsatisfying conclusion to Dexter's story. After killing Debra, Dexter is presumed dead, and he leaves Miami. Rather than going to Argentina to be with Hannah and Harrison, Dexter decided to leave everything behind to start a new life for himself.
Dexter's decision to leave his loved ones behind confused many viewers as the series witnessed him going on a journey of self-discovery. Even though he had previously come to the realization that he was capable of loving others, his actions in the finale seem to prove otherwise.