Dexter: New Blood fans will be shocked after learning Showtime’s decision regarding Dexter: New Blood Season 2. The streaming platform made the most shocking announcement in 2020 when it decided to revisit Dexter’s legacy. Fans were surprised and excited to see their favorite character back on screens. And after its pilot season concluded, they not-so-patiently looked forward to the sophomore run. Well, the series finale left fans with mixed emotions, and it also made everyone wonder whether Showtime will return with another season. But now you don’t need to ruminate more about Dexter: New Blood Season 2 release date and other details. This is because the network has already dropped the most-anticipated news. So, keep reading to learn it.
American crime mystery drama Dexter: New Blood follows the titular character’s story. After faking his death, Dexter Morgan settled in the fictional town of New York. So, the show started ten years after that incident, when Dexter succeeded in hiding his vigilante serial killing urges. While things went smoothly for him, as he had a great job and a lover, things ended in the dark when his son appeared unannounced. It quickly changed Dexter’s entire world, meeting with a dark fate.
Is Dexter: New Blood Season 2 Happening?
Dexter was one of the most popular series of its time, and when its fans heard about the series getting revived after seven years, their excitement was on another level. In October 2020, Showtime ordered a limited series focusing on the journey of the infamous serial killer. Although Dexter: New Blood was announced as a limited series with ten episodes, the network soon changed its mind. Following the success of its pilot season, the network confirmed Dexter: New Blood Season 2 is happening. In fact, Showtime also confirmed that the series was in the development phase. So, it means season 2 is on the cards, leaving fans searching for Dexter: New Blood Season 2 release date.
But That Isn’t The Case!
Soon, in late January 2023, TVLine confirmed that Showtime has decided not to continue with Dexter: New Blood Season 2. The decision turned out to be an abrupt one, especially when the pilot season was phenomenally successful. It was surprising for the fans, as Dexter: New Blood became the most-watched series in the history of the premium cabler. The 10-episode season has averaged 8 million weekly viewers throughout its run. Thus, fans were hopeful to see more from the series. But the chances of season 2 are now pretty slim. And it doesn’t seem like the network will return with the next season and Dexter: New Blood Season 2 release date as well.
Why Did Showtime Cancel Dexter: New Blood Season 2?
No doubt, Showtime was interested in continuing Dexter Morgan’s legacy with Dexter: New Blood Season 2. In fact, the network had also revealed that the show was in the development stage. That was expected to focus on Harrison’s storyline. But earlier this year, the streaming platform called it off. It left fans doubting the network’s decision. Well, there are several theories surrounding the series cancelation. However, it’s believed the show has become the victim of Showtime and Paramount+ streaming merger deals.
Since Dexter: New Blood Season 2 cancelation news came in the wake of the merging announcement, it was believed it wouldn’t return. This is because the announcement is followed by the removal of several A-listers series. Including American Gigolo and Let The Right One In. However, Dexter: New Blood was originally billed as a miniseries. In fact, Showtime’s Entertainment President Gary Levine had also talked about it before. He told Deadline that Dexter is intended to return as a limited series. But any further decision regarding its sequel must wait until the show gets air.
Gary added that Dexter: New Blood is crafted to conclude the series properly. So, it seems like Gary has already hinted that there won’t be any chance of Dexter: New Blood Season 2. But he also teased he would love to work on the second season, giving fans false hope.
However, The Dexter Franchise Isn’t Over Yet!
Although Dexter: New Blood Season 2 met with a dark fate, it doesn’t mean the streaming platform is done with Dexter and its gruesome murderous spree. As per the source, Showtime is all set to explore other characters’ lives. TVLine has recently confirmed that the streaming platform is working on a prequel series focusing on the titular antihero. It will undoubtedly take fans back in time when Dexter was a teenager. However, the Showtime rep still needs to confirm this news.
But while speaking to TVLine about season 2, the series showrunner Clyde Phillips hinted at the continuation of the Dexter franchise. She said she’s currently busy working on other projects. (That is speculated to be a prequel series). But if the network wants her to come up with Dexter: New Blood Season 2, she will jump right into it. However, the decision is entirely in Showtime‘s hands, per Clyde. While the audience will face disappointment as they won’t get a Harrison follow-up, the new stories will again bring back their focus on Dexter.
This comes with another speculation in the Dexter universe, but again, it stands uncertainty. But definitely, the Dexter universe has plenty of lore to work with. And if the network returns with its prequel, fans may learn more about Dexter’s brother Brian. It may shift its focus to Dexter’s family and how his murder spree started.
Who Could Have Starred In Dexter: New Blood Season 2?
While the network has already shunned all the possibilities of a Dexter: New Blood Season 2 return, let’s still look at the potential star cast of the next run. Jack Alcott is expected to return as Dexter’s son, Harrison Morgan since he made it to the end of the first season. Besides him, Julia Jones and Jonny Sequoyah are also believed to return as Police Chief Angela Bishop and Audrey Bishop. But the main question arises whether Michael C. Hall will return, given his character was killed at the end. There’s a possibility that Dexter might have returned as a flashback or a ghost figure.
This is because expecting a Dexter series without him is not what fans will love. So, there’s hope he might have returned like Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) in the first season. Besides him, Alano Miller, who played Sergeant Logan, won’t be returning as he died in the first season. Since Dexter: New Blood Season 2 is expected to focus on Harrison, it might have also introduced some new faces.
Ending Explained: Is Dexter Dead?
After a stormy beginning, Dexter and Harrison finally grow closer at the end of Dexter: New Blood. The former finally confessed that he murdered serial killers. But at the end of the season, Dexter realized that he had become the person whom he had fought for so many years. Now, only his son can save him. In the series finale, “Sins Of The Father,” Dexter and Harrison decided to run away from Iron Lake after one of his nemesis burned down his house. But this arson helped Dexter’s girlfriend and police chief Angela discover the evidence that focused on Dexter’s sins.
She found the evidence that proved Dexter had killed Kurt Caldwell’s son, Matthew Caldwell. After this revelation, he had no choice and decided to confess Kurt’s crimes. While Angela was busy catching Kurt, Dexter killed Logan to escape. However, when his son learns about Logan’s demise, he shoots Dexter in his chest, reminding him that he has gone too far. Right after receiving the bullet, he told his son, “You did good.”
Will Dexter Return?
Well, he won’t be, as Clyde cited in an interview that with Dexter’s death, Michael C. Hall won’t be returning. She told Deadline Dexter is dead. They didn’t want to give false hope to the audience. Further, his son shot him, so the chances of him faking his own death won’t be the case. Hence, there’s no second guess whether Dexter is alive. On the other hand, Phillips has also said that Dexter is brought to die in the series. Although he had killed the serial killers, his psychotic tendencies needed to be stopped. So, it was better to end his chapter with New Blood.
What Could Have Happened In Dexter: New Blood Season 2?
Following the titular character’s demise, Dexter: New Blood Season 2 would have focused on Dexter’s son Harrison. Well, he also has the same psychotic tendencies, which he has proven at the end of New Blood. So, the second season would most likely explore his struggle to stop the killing spree. Phillips has also revealed that Harrison is a complicated character and has the same urge to kill the wrong people. Thus, the second season may explore his perspective and how he treats society. While the sophomore run is expected to explore Harrison’s character growth, the series cancelation teases that fans will never see what Harrison is up to now.
Dexter: New Blood Season 2: Release Date
As mentioned above, the sophomore run isn’t happening. Thus, there won’t be a Dexter: New Blood Season 2 release date. However, if Showtime decides to revive its flagship series again, the chances of its return are quite high. But for that, fans have to wait until an official announcement is made. Speaking of its prequel series, it’s said to be in a development phase, which will take a few months to conclude. Hence, its prequel will be released sometime in late 2024. Stay with TechRadar247 for more compelling updates.
