The Dexter universe continues to expand, and one name looms large: Arthur Mitchell, better known as the Trinity Killer. Paramount+ and Showtime are developing a prequel series exploring the making of Dexter’s most infamous foe, played by John Lithgow. While the project was first announced in early 2023, reports of its demise were, as they say, greatly exaggerated.
The Brains Behind the Blood
Original Dexter showrunner Clyde Phillips and longtime collaborator Scott Reynolds are at the helm of this spin-off. They’ve been hard at work scripting the series, which held a development room earlier this year. Phillips recently confirmed that the entire Trinity Killer prequel is already written, though it’s currently “on the back burner.”
But here’s the kicker: John Lithgow has agreed to lend his voice as the younger version of Arthur Mitchell, much like Michael C. Hall narrates for Dexter: Original Sin. If that’s not enough to get fans salivating, Phillips also teased another project with Hall, titled Dexter: Resurrection, which begins shooting in January and will air in June 2025.
What’s Slowing Down the Spin-Off?
Showtime seems to be pacing itself, focusing on the current slate of Dexter spin-offs. Original Sin, which premiered on 13th December, and Resurrection are taking centre stage for now. The network is likely waiting to see how Original Sin performs before committing fully to expanding the franchise.
So far, the numbers look promising. Original Sin pulled in 2.1 million global viewers within its first three days, making it Showtime’s most-streamed premiere ever. That’s a lot of eyeballs for a show about, well, taking lives.
Trinity’s Twisted Origins
For those who need a refresher (or a crash course in serial killer lore), Arthur Mitchell first appeared in Season 4 of Dexter and remains the show’s most haunting antagonist. The “family man” with a dark secret wreaked havoc on Dexter’s life, culminating in the heart-wrenching murder of Dexter’s wife, Rita.
The prequel aims to delve deeper into Mitchell’s backstory. Some details were teased in the original series: a tragic childhood, including his sister’s death, his mother’s suicide, and his father’s abuse, shaped his twisted psyche. The prequel promises to explore these origins further, creating a psychological profile that might not excuse his actions but will certainly provide chilling insight.
Will Fans Get What They’re Craving?
John Lithgow briefly reprised his role in Dexter: New Blood, leaving fans clamouring for more. Could Resurrection offer another glimpse of the Trinity Killer and serve as a lead-in to the prequel series? Time will tell.
In the meantime, Dexter: Original Sin continues to air on Friday nights, with its season finale set for Valentine’s Day—a fittingly ironic date for a show about murder.
You may also like: Harrison and Batista return in Dexter: Resurrection – will this finally fix New Blood’s ending?
