While Dexter: Resurrection will seemingly revive Dexter’s original hero, it is not yet clear from Comic-Con’s panel whether his son Harrison Morgan will return in the sequel series. Dexter’s prequel Dexter: Original Sin promises to expand the world of the franchise, but it is not the only follow-up to the hit ‘00s crime series on the way. Dexter: Resurrection will be a follow-up to 2021’s sequel series Dexter: New Blood that promises the return of Michael C. Hall’s title character, the serial killer who targets other serial killers according to his own warped moral system.
The critically abhorred original Dexter finale saw Hall’s antihero fake his own death, while Dexter: New Blood season 1 ended with the character dying for real at the hands of his son, Harrison Morgan. Harrison shot Dexter at his father’s urging when Dexter realized that he was denying his son the chance to live a normal life and dooming him to follow in his footsteps. Although Dexter seemed definitively dead in New Blood season 1’s ending, the news from Comic-Con 2024 that Hall will reprise his role proves his demise wasn’t as certain as it seemed.
Harrison Morgan Isn’t Confirmed To Return For Dexter: Resurrection
Dexter and Rita’s Son May Not Appear In Dexter: New Blood’s Follow-up
To make matters even stranger, Dexter‘s Comic-Con 2024 panel did not confirm whether Harrison Morgan will appear in Dexter: Resurrection. Dexter’s son seemed like the perfect replacement for his father as the franchise’s protagonist after the ending of New Blood season 1. Dexter’s death at his hands would likely have traumatized Harrison, so it would be no surprise if he continued his father’s work by becoming a serial killer himself. However, it is not yet clear whether this is the show’s plan, since the creators have not announced whether actor Jack Alcott will appear in the series.
There is a distinct possibility that Dexter: Resurrection will not revive Dexter himself but instead utilize the spirit of his character.
Dexter: Resurrection‘s title seems to imply that Hall’s original Dexter protagonist will be back in person, but this might be misleading. After all, Dexter: Original Sin will also bring back Hall in the title role, but he will only be providing the show’s narration. Similarly, there is a distinct possibility that Dexter: Resurrection will not revive Dexter himself but instead utilize the spirit of his character after confirming his death. In most franchises, this would require some explicitly supernatural elements. However, Dexter: Resurrection can sidestep this issue thanks to the franchise’s “Dark Passengers.”
Dexter: Resurrection
is reportedly aiming for a Summer 2025 release date.
Dexter’s “Resurrection” Could Be As The New Harry For Harrison
Harrison’s “Dark Passenger” Might Be His Late Father
Throughout the original series, Dexter had visions of Harry Morgan, the detective who raised him, speaking to him and offering him twisted counsel and advice surrounding his grisly work. Dexter called Harry his “Dark Passenger,” a conscience from beyond the grave whose regular visitations supported the antihero in his killings. Dexter’s “Dark Passenger” was a unique element of the series, a morbid mentor who Dexter often turned to for advice. Thus, if Harrison Morgan returned to Dexter: Resurrection, Dexter’s role in the show could be as his son’s “Dark Passenger.”
This would give Dexter’s story a grimly satisfying cyclical quality, as both fathers went on to become Dark Passengers for their troubled sons, molding them into better killers. Currently, it is not clear whether Dexter: Resurrection will use this storyline, since the show hasn’t confirmed Harrison’s return. However, it is hard to imagine where else the story of Dexter Morgan could be heading. Although some fringe theorists claimed that Dexter might have survived New Blood season 1’s ending, the character seemed to truly be dead this time. Dexter: Resurrection can’t retcon this without a good explanation.
Dexter: Resurrection Can’t Ignore Harrison After New Blood’s Ending
Dexter: Resurrection Must Address Dexter’s Death In New Blood
While Dexter: Original Sin’s prequel story can completely ignore the events of New Blood, Dexter: Resurrection will need to somehow justify Dexter’s apparent death in the revival. Harrison fled after killing Dexter, and it seemed as if he would now carry a Dark Passenger with him like his father. Thus, Dexter: Resurrection needs to clarify whether this father is still alive, or if he is merely a figment of his son’s imagination. If Dexter did somehow survive, Harrison would be a big concern for him.
Dexter’s son is not only a liability for the killer, but someone he needs to keep an eye on. He is the person most likely to look for and uncover Dexter, and he is almost certain to become a serial killer himself after the events of New Blood. Thus, Dexter will be simultaneously compelled to look out for his son’s safety while also trying to ensure that Harrison doesn’t reveal his survival to the wider world. Alternatively, Dexter may stay dead, in which case Harrison must return for Dexter: Resurrection to revive Dexter’s hero as his Dark Passenger.