Dexter star opens up about hit show

It's the end of the road for anti-hero Dexter Morgan who, throughout the past seven series of Dexter, has killed over 100 people.

But Dexter is no ordinary serial killer. The adopted son of Miami police officer Harry Morgan, Dexter is taught The Code, in which he only kills those who have murdered without any justifiable cause. Basically a killer of serial killers.

Dexter’s day job is a spot on blend of genius and irony — he’s a blood spatter pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department.

Along the way, he deals with a variety of slippery serial killers, failed relationships and crises of belief, each time emerging stronger and a little weathered.

The quirky and dark TV series has enjoyed a successful run worldwide, and like all good things, must come to an end.

Michael C. Hall, who plays the titular character in the psychological crime thriller with hints of black comedy and suspense, is also known for his previous idiosyncratic role as David Fisher in the 2001 HBO drama series Six Feet Under about a family of undertakers.

The 42-year-old actor talks about the final season and his role that won him a Golden Globe award and a Screen Actors Guild award.

How do you feel about the final season of Dexter?

I’m really excited and happy with the screenplay, what we shot and I’m looking forward to people’s responses. I’ve been very tired and I’m sleeping more deeply now. Of course there’s a vague sense of sadness but there’s also lots of pride with the collective accomplishment.

What are you going to miss about Dexter?

I liked working over the course of the seasons. It was a unique show and experience, from cast to crew. They were all very professional and it really felt like a second family. I’m going to miss the shared history and sense of purpose.

Did you get any souvenirs from the show?

I got to keep Dexter’s knife, watch, lanyard and ID badge. These props were with me most of the time during the series.

Were there things about the Dexter character that you took away with you from playing him?

Yeah, Dexter’s lovable as far as serial killers go by (laughs). Well, he informs me as much as I do him in terms of the role. I think I always admired Dexter’s decisiveness. He’s a man of action and it was invigorating to portray someone like that. But I’m ready to put him down.

He can be at times quite menacing onscreen. Are you like that?

I’m a pretty nice guy and I strive to be kind. I guess by playing him I’m much nicer in person because I got to get rid of all that dark energy onscreen. It’s funny that sometimes when people recognise me on the street they’d go: “hey, don’t put me on your table!”

You got a chance to direct the second episode in Season 8. What was it like?

It was a great experience. Opportunities to direct had arisen before but for scheduling reasons I could never do any until now. Since it was the last season I gave it a shot. The cast and crew were very supportive and I was grateful that it was a pivotal episode as well, with Dexter discovering things that would reframe his sense of origin.

Aside from Dexter, shows like Hannibal and The Fall are very popular. Why do you think people like serial killers?

I think people have an inherent fascination with the darker side of human nature. They relish identifying with people who are flawed and, in turn, human and realistic in that way.

Other projects you’re working on?

I just did Kill Your Darlings (coming out later in the year). From the first frame my character is dead and the story is told in flashbacks leading to how I died. The drama film is set during the birth of the beat generation in the 1940s.

What can people expect from the final season?

Dexter rebels against his father’s code and tries to live a regular life. We don’t glamorise the life of a serial killer because life is heavier than ever for him now. Serial killer Hannah McKay returns in the second half of the season and she’s a catalyst in moving the story forward till the finale.

We’ve got a new character, Dr Evelyn Vogel (a neuro-psychiatrist specialising in child psychopaths), who explores the maternal relationship and exploits Dexter’s appetite for that connection. It’s going to be an exciting ride but I don’t want to give things away.

Dexter Season 8 premieres today at 10.50pm on Fox Crime HD (HyppTV Channel 610)