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Showtime’sDexter: Original Sincomes after an 11-year TV absence sinceDexterended. And guess what, Michael C. Hall returned to voice his most well-known fictional role alongside several original characters from the OG crime thriller series. But since most characters are much younger than their original counterparts, it made people wonder howOriginal Sinconnects with the originalDexterTV series.
So join us for a ride as we dissect the narrative and figure out howDexter: Original Sinties into Showtime’s hit crime thriller series. Meanwhile, amid fans’ curiosity surrounding Michael C. Hall’s multiple Emmy-nominated performance, let’s check out if it’s really necessary to watch the OG show before binge-watching the 2024 series.
What isDexterabout?
We know this article is mainly focused on Showtime’sDexter: Original Sin, but to discuss the connection between the two shows, it’s only logical to begin with the main series. So, airing in 2006,Dexterstarted its journey as a Showtime original crime thriller TV series narrating the tale of Dexter Morgan, played byMichael C. Hall.
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In the show, the titular character appeared as a charming forensic pathologist dissecting gory, blood-splattering bodies by the day and a ruthless serial killer by night. The whole premise of the show thus kept audiences at the edge of their seats, wondering if Dexter would be caught for his audacious, violent crimes.
But apart from the usual suspense, the hit crime thriller also appealed to its audience of Dexter’s tormented personality and inner thoughts. Featuring the character as both scary and sympathetic at once, the show played skilfully with the complex and morally compromised TV antihero narrative.
Apart from the storyline, the show also captivated people with its memorable supporting and guest characters, including John Lithgow as rival killer Arthur Mitchell. Other crucial characters in Dexter’s orbit included his sister, Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter), his adoptive father, Harry Morgan (James Remar), and his adoptive mother, Doris Morgan (Kathrine Lautner).
Well, these characters interestingly returned inDexter: Original Sinbut were portrayed by different actors.
What isDexter: Original Sinabout?
Now, let’s dive into the recently released showDexter: Original Sin. To be straight and simple, the 2024 series is basically aDexterspin-off serving as an origin story depicting the title character’s evolution as a serial killer masquerading as a forensic psychologist. So, to state it correctly,Original Sinis a prequel toDexter.
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In the series, the audience will witness Dexter at a much younger age as he develops murderous tendencies and becomes the cunningserial killer everyone knows and loves. With weekly episodes airing since August 23, 2025,Dexter: Original Sinwill concentrate on Dexter Morgan’s formative years, with Patrick Gibson playing the young version of the character.
Meanwhile, despite Gibson’s appearance, the show couldn’t simply give up on the Emmy-nominated star who made Dexter popular among fans, Michael C. Hall. Therefore,Original Sinbrought back Hall to voice the character’s inner monologue, which helped bridge the gap between the OG show and its prequel.
As for the titular character’s family and colleagues, Molly Brown plays Debra Morgan, Christian Slater plays Harry Morgan, Jasper Lewis as Doris Morgan, Christina Milian as Maria LaGuerta, and Alex Shimizu as Vince Masuka. But apart from the old characters, the prequel show has promised to expand the universe with new characters and storylines.
How isDexter: Original Sinconnected toDexter?
Following the above-mentioned explanation, althoughDexter: Original Sinis serving as a standalone prequel, it’s important to note that the events depicted in the show directly tie into Michael C. Hall’s original series. Meaning it tells the origin story of Dexter Morgan, depicting his early years as a serial killer and how he developed his murderous tendencies.
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As for the timeline, the show is set in 1991, when Dexter is young and is starting to explore his dark impulses. Therefore, while the OG show featured glimpses of his past through flashbacks,Original Sinexpands on that backstory, giving us a more detailed look at how Dexter became the serial killer we follow in the original show.
Moving on to the aspect of character development, the prequel series focuses on Dexter’s early kills, his development of the “Dark Passenger,” and how he started to refine his “code” as a serial killer. Further, in regards to familiar elements, while showcasing Dexter’s origins, the prequel also featured some familiar characters from the original series.
In short, the prequel leads directly into the original series, laying the foundation for what happens inDexter. If you’ve watched the original series, you will know how important Dexter’s past is to his story. So it’s safe to say that the prequel will likely end at a point where the events ofDextercan naturally take over.
Do you need to watchDexterbeforeDexter: Original Sin?
Now, coming to the most important part of the conversation—whether you need to watchDexterbeforeDexter: Original Sin.Well, technically, you could watchOriginal Sinwithout having seen the original show since it’s a prequel, which means the story is designed to stand on its own. However, skippingDextermight take away from the experience.
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Since many crucial details, including character dynamics and plot points, heavily rely on the established lore from the original show, it is advised to watch the OG show before getting into the prequel. Otherwise, it will feel less impactful without the context. To be specific, you will miss the full depth of the story and its connections to the characters fromDexter.
Because the two shows are inextricably tied, you should watchDexterbefore watchingDexter: Original Sinif you want to understand all thesubtle nuances and Easter eggs. But then again, for someone who wishes to follow the storyline chronologically and thus begin with the prequel—the 2024 show has a premise that is still easy to follow.
So, for someone who might start withOriginal Sin, the storyline will follow a young man who recognizes that he has deep-seated urges to kill. By the time the show begins, his father has already discovered this personality and is trying everything to channel the urges by encouraging him to go hunting and pursue medical school.
Thus, it’s entirely possible to watchDexter: Original Sinwithout watchingDexter, but you won’t get the most out of it. Although the prequel itself can still be an entertaining show on the surface, there’s a lot you might miss out on, in terms of context and connection.
DexterandDexter: Original Sinare available for streaming on Paramount+.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
