‘Dexter’ Star Michael C. Hall Reflects On His Expanding TV Universe

Since 2006, actor Michael C. Hall has embodied the methodical killer, with a code for only murdering bad people on Dexter, and the television universe has continued to shock viewers ever since. As the narrative has expanded into continuation and origin stories, like Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Original Sin, Hall, 54, has returned as Dexter Morgan for even more uncomfortable experiences, while still out for blood.

With Dexter continuing onward these 19 years later, Dexter: Resurrection (which is now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime) effectively blends the return of original characters from Dexter’s past, while adding in fresh characters that bring this captivating world to even greater heights.

Sitting down with Hall for a Zoom interview, knowing that he is both the longtime star and an executive producer on these Dexter productions, I wondered how he makes sure that the character evolution and the overall story continuation is still worthy of his time and artistry, after all of these years.

Hall said, “I think before we ultimately roll the dice and do more, we spend a good amount of time talking about why it’s worthwhile, why it’s vital – what new possibilities, whatever new landscape we put him in, creates. I think there’s something essentially magic about this moment because he’s literally been given a second chance at life and can finally put down a lot of what’s been burdening him. He’s saddled with a lot of collateral damage that has accumulated over the years and is maybe able to let that be and put it down – not forget it, but be unburdened by it in a way and reclaim himself.”

He added: “Given a second chance at life, what do we do, you know? I think we assess what is and isn’t important, and who we don’t and don’t want to be and move forward, accordingly. We see Dexter doing that in this new season.”

As the character of Dexter has lost loved ones over the years, strives to bond further with his also conflicted son and has also survived near-death injuries, I was curious what Hall is enjoying most about his character’s ongoing experiences now with this Dexter: Resurrection series, in ways that he maybe did not do so to the same level in years past.

“It’s been really fun this season reconnecting with cast members from the original series and feeling the connection to the rich mythology that’s sort of built up around the character, internally and externally. James Remar, David Zayas – we had never stopped shaking our heads over the course of this season, amazed that we’re still exploring this in ways that feel vital and new and alive, and just realizing that the only way we could be where we are now is to have gone through everything we’ve gone through. I mean, life is like that – but you do something this long and it does seem to parallel life that way. You appreciate that everything that feels vital about the present moment is informed by everything that led up to it, and all the twists and turns that the character’s been through have led us to this moment of vitality. I’m just really grateful for it.”

With the many faces that arise on this latest Dexter series, both old and new, I also spoke briefly with Hall’s Resurrection co-stars about how his leadership and creative approach has benefited their own quality experiences on this project.

Remar, who continues to play Dexter’s father Harry Morgan, said of Hall, “For me, I think it’s probably like what it was like playing with Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls in like the early 90s. The guy elevated everybody around him and did it without breaking a sweat. I saw them play in their glory days and he is the kind of star, and I’m referring to Michael C. Hall and Michael Jordan at the same time, who elevate the people around them. They don’t just like play a one-man game. Every time I’m on a set with Michael C. Hall, I feel like I’m the only other actor in the world.”

Jack Alcott, who continues to play Dexter’s son Harrison Morgan, said of Hall, “He makes everyone else better. That’s how good he is and that’s how he approaches his craft. I mean, I came into New Blood so terrified, having done guest stars here and there – just not a ton of stuff in front of camera. It was exciting and new, and all of a sudden, there was this pressure of like – Wow, I’m going to carry narrative weight. I could be that guy wasting people’s time. Oh, you know, all of the pressures of being a new actor, particularly getting to do a larger role. I was pissing myself the whole first half of that show and what kept me steady was Michael. Every time in a scene that I would get in my head, that I would get nervous, it was so easy because all I had to do was lock in and look at Michael and listen to Michael, and he was always there. He really carries us all.”

Krysten Ritter, who joins the Dexter: Resurrection cast as Mia this season, said of Hall, “I am a big Michael C. Hall fan. I had a lot of scenes with him and I got to spend great quality time with him. I have been in his shoes – the number one on a drama like that. It’s big shoes – it’s a big job and it’s a dark headspace. And so, I really wanted to, when I was with him, bring a lot of levity and make sure he was having fun. I felt very protective of him. I just wanted to find any way I could to support him. So, I love him as a person and I think we had a great experience together. Then acting opposite him, he’s a masterclass. I say this about so few actors – David Tennant is one of them, where you’re just like doing a scene with them and all of a sudden you’re just watching, like – What are you doing? He finds a way just to get deeper and deeper – and yeah, he’s the real deal.”

Zayas, who continues to play Angel Batista on Dexter, said, “Acting with Michael C. Hall for the last 20 years as these characters, really, it’s a great example of how a lead in a show should go about his business in series television. You could see the amount of work that he puts into it, the care that he puts into it, and that’s contagious. It’s contagious to the crew – it’s contagious to the other actors, that they want to come in and be at the top of their game whenever they’re working on the day that they’re working. And so, I’ve had a wonderful experience with Michael. I mean, never a bad experience. There’s never a bad day when you’re working with Michael C. Hall.”

Dexter series newcomer Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, playing Blessing Kamara, said, “Michael C. Hall and myself both are alumni from NYU Graduate Acting Program. So, I felt like when we worked together, we immediately had a connection and a bond – a familiar way of approaching things. You’d think somebody who has done a role for decades might sort of, you know, take it easy, but I was amazed to see Michael like doing push-ups between sets, or like really focused. He didn’t take anything for granted.”

Kadia Saraf, who joins Dexter as Detective Claudette Wallace, said of Hall, “He just needs to be there. There’s this beautiful chemistry happening among all the creatives on the show. I think for me, personally, the trust that is given to me is more valuable than anything. The fact that I walk in the room and I’m told you are hired for the job, we trust that you do and we need you to do what you do. There is no interference, in terms of creativity, but when you walk into that space, you draw from each other. You kind of watch the OGs and how they work, and whether it’s technicalities or character-inspired, you watch and learn. You kind of become who you hang out with, right?”

Fellow Dexter newcomer Dominic Fumusa, playing Detective Melvin Oliva, said of Hall and the production, “It’s such a well-oiled machine. We’re all huge fans of the original show and then New Blood. It’s exciting to join something that – that is already so established and well-made, and it’s just a thrill to be a part of it in this new chapter and to do it in New York City, which is amazing. Michael is a unique talent and I don’t think there’s another actor on the planet who could have maximized this character the way he has. He’s so interesting, he’s so intense, at times – he’s so funny, at times. He’s really a brilliant actor and also a great guy.”

Emilia Suárez, who joins Resurrection as Elsa Rivera, said of Hall, “Obviously, at this point, he’s an executive producer as well, but anyone who’s the leader of a set is shaping – everything is informed by that. Michael leads with – he just has to be there. He shows up, he’s playful – he’s just such an inspiring actor and he leads with so much kindness. I think that set is such a family and everyone goes to work every day, knowing how beloved this show is, and all of that is such a huge testament to Michael.”

David Dastmalchian, who joins the Dexter story continuation as Gareth, said of Hall, “Michael’s quiet and shy, and he’s so focused as an actor, as an artist, as a performer. And so, I felt a little bit at first meeting him, very intimidated. He’s such a phenomenal performer, actor. He’s a consummate actor. When we got into the work and we started talking, he lights up. Even underneath that terrifying Dexter persona that he can create, there’s a kid within there who loves acting so much, and you can feel it in the energy in the room, when he is creating. It’s inspiring.”

Eric Stonestreet, who joins the new Resurrection series as Al, said of Hall, “I’m just blown away. I mean, he’s in every scene. He’s on every page, you know? I just said – Michael, this is crazy. He jokingly said – I read the script beforehand, meaning he knew what he was getting into and that just speaks to his commitment to this character, to the franchise. Because of that, we get to work off all of that. We get to come and play in their playground and in their sandbox, and it wouldn’t be happening if Michael still wasn’t committed to playing this role of Dexter Morgan.”

While concluding my conversation with Hall, with me having asked my next original and signature interview question to many other actors over the years – asking this to Hall felt extra enjoyable, with him having played Dexter, off-and-on now, for nearly two decades:

Michael, if you could speak to Dexter after embodying him over these 19 years of television so far and could give him advice, a warning, a comforting message, what do you feel he needs to hear most from you, the person who sees him probably best, from the outside in?

Hall said with Dexter in mind, “Take a nap. You never see him sleep. I think he’s one of those guys who can get away with like two and a half hours of sleep every night. I don’t know. I guess I’d tell him to make sure he gets his rest because he’s not a kid anymore.”