The upcoming Dexter prequel series at Paramount+ has rounded out its cast portraying younger versions of several iconic characters from the original show. Dexter: Original Sin, which explores the origins of the ethically-minded serial killer, has set its stars playing Miami Metro police colleagues that fans will recognize.
Taking on the role of a young Angel Batista, the impassioned homicide detective, is James Martinez (Love, Victor). Previously played by David Zayas, Batista’s earnest younger self looks to be a formative influence on Dexter during his forensics internship.
Embodying Maria LaGuerta, Miami Metro’s trailblazing first female homicide detective, is Christina Milian (Falling Inn Love). Lauren Vélez inhabited the character across the original Dexter series until LaGuerta’s shocking demise in the seventh season finale.
Meanwhile, Alex Shimizu (The Blacklist) steps into the wisecracking shoes of forensics expert Vince Masuka. In the prequel’s 1991 setting, the ever-eager Masuka looks forward to mentoring his new intern, the young Dexter Morgan, having been played by C.S. Lee in the original run.
Rounding out the newly announced Miami Metro ensemble is Reno Wilson (Good Girls) as Bobby Watt, a previously unmentioned but longtime partner and trusted friend to Dexter’s adoptive father, Harry Morgan (Christian Slater).
They’ll be joining the previously cast lead trio of Patrick Gibson as the college-aged Dexter Morgan, Slater as his influential father Harry, and Molly Brown as Dexter’s foul-mouthed sister Debra. The prequel explores Dexter’s ethical transition into a vigilante serial killer targeting other murderers.
Under the guidance of original Dexter showrunner Clyde Phillips, production on the 10-episode Dexter: Original Sin has now kicked off in Miami. While an official premiere window hasn’t been set, the creative team is surely aiming to faithfully capture the iconic characters’ early days and relationships that shaped the twisty events of the flagship series.
For longtime fans of the groundbreaking Dexter franchise, it will be intriguing to see the new stars’ takes immersing themselves into the darkly complicated Miami Metroworld and what new layers are unveiled. If the casting is any indication, this new vision is shaping up to be a worthy spiritual prequel leading into one of television’s most deliciously demented anti-hero tales.
