‘Dexter: Resurrection’ Brings Back John Lithgow and Jimmy Smits

Just when fans thought they’d seen the last of the Trinity Killer and Miguel Prado, Dexter: Resurrection resurrects them from the grave. Emmy-winner John Lithgow and fan-favorite Jimmy Smits are officially returning for the highly-anticipated sequel series, proving that in Dexter’s world, death is far from permanent.

For longtime fans, this return is a major plot twist. Lithgow’s chilling portrayal of Arthur Mitchell, the Trinity Killer, earned him an Emmy and a Critics’ Choice Award, and a spot among TV’s most haunting villains. His original run in Dexter Season 4 ended with his death at the hands of Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), but his brief reappearance in flashbacks during Dexter: New Blood left the door open for new possibilities. Now, with ‘Resurrection’ in the title, fans are wondering: will Lithgow’s return be another eerie memory haunting Dexter—or offer something even sinister?

Smits, who portrayed Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado in Dexter Season 3, adds another layer of intrigue to to this twisted narrative. His character, once Dexter’s ally, ultimately became one of the series’ most tragic and unpredictable antagonists, meeting a gruesome fate. His resurrection raises the stakes even higher: Could Dexter: Resurrection explore untold parts of Prado’s past, or might it twist the timeline to reveal an entirely new side of him?

Image Credit: *Dexter: Resurrection* via Showtime

While Dexter: Original Sin—the first prequel in the franchise—left some fans divided with its mixed reception, Dexter: Resurrection is poised to take the series in bold new directions. The plotline picks up right after the shocking events of Dexter: New Blood, where Harrison Morgan (Jack Alcott) shot his father and fled Iron Lake. Resurrection will follow Harrison’s journey to escape—or succumb to—the dark legacy Dexter left behind. This sequel signals their commitment to expanding the Dexter universe, creating a multi-layered world on par with franchises like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

On starring end, Michael C. Hall will reprise his role as Dexter Morgan, joined by a stellar cast including Peter Dinklage, Uma Thurman, Krysten Ritter, and Eric Stonestreet, alongside familiar faces like David Zayas (Angel Batista), Jack Alcott (Harrison Morgan), and James Remar (Harry Morgan). The secrecy surrounding new cast members has only fueled speculation—could one of them be the next major antagonist? We are eager to find out.

Filming for Dexter: Resurrection began in January 2025, with director Marcos Siega teasing a snowy set on social media. Showtime and Paramount+ have slated the series for release in summer or fall 2025—marking Dexter’s long-awaited return to the screen, 12 years after the original series finale. As for what Dexter: Resurrection has in store? Details are still scarce, but fans are already buzzing. No official trailer has been released yet, but with filming well underway, a teaser is expected soon—possibly at San Diego Comic-Con (July 2025) or another dedicated Showtime event.

The Dexter franchise has had a complicated history—from a critically acclaimed start to a widely panned finale, then a revival that polarized fans. Dexter: Resurrection is Showtime’s opportunity to tie everything together, and its success will depend on whether it can deliver a satisfying continuation while honoring the show’s roots. With a star-studded cast, major character returns, and an expanded universe, Dexter: Resurrection has the potential to be the show fans have been waiting for.

However, one thing’s for certain: if Dexter Morgan’s story has taught us anything, it’s that he—and his most notorious foes—are far from finished.