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http://www.variety.com/article/VR111792712...d=1238&cs=1

 

 

'Dexter' builds case

Hall to play serial killer in pilot

 

By DENISE MARTIN

 

 

Showtime has signed "Six Feet Under""Six Feet Under" thesp Michael C. Hall to star in the series pilot "Dexter."

 

Paybox entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt also has recruited "Six Feet" helmer Michael Cuesta to direct the project, one of four hourlong pilots Showtime ordered in June.

 

Hall will play Dexter Morgan, a Miami Police Dept. forensics expert who moonlights as a serial killer -- murdering only guilty parties. Based on the Jeff Lindsay novel "Darkly Dreaming Dexter," series comes from scribe James Manos Jr.James Manos Jr. ("The Sopranos""The Sopranos"), who will exec produce with John GoldwynJohn Goldwyn and Sara Colleton.

 

Other pilots in the works at Showtime are "Filthy Gorgeous," about the world of high-end escorts, from producers CCraig Zadan and Neil Meron and writer Ron Nyswaner; "The Tudors," period piece about the younger years of Henry VIII, from writer Michael Hirst and producers Ben Silverman, Eric FellnerEric Fellner and Tim Bevan; and "The Bastard," revolving around a lawyer looking to wrest his birthright away from his wealthy dysfunctional family, from scribe Robert Greenwalt.

 

Hall's credits include the John Woo feature "Paycheck" and the Broadway productions of "Cabaret" and "Chicago."

 

 

Date in print: Mon., Aug. 8, 2005, Los Angeles

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In Dexter, Michael C. Hall’s role is a killer

 

http://www.projo.com/lifebeat/content/lb_d...R6.277d90f.html

 

09/30/2006 01:00 AM EDT

 

By Andy Smith

 

Journal Television Writer

 

Imagine if one of the stalwart technicians of, say, CSI: Miami was also a compulsive serial killer. And not just any old serial killer, but a vigilante who targets evil people such as child rapists.

 

That’s the odd premise of the new Showtime series Dexter, which debuts tomorrow on Showtime at 10 p.m.

 

It stars Michael C. Hall, who played uptight mortician David Fisher on HBO’s Six Feet Under. His role on Dexter means Hall is going from embalming corpses to creating them.

 

The killings are grisly. Dexter, who works by day as a blood-spatter specialist for the Miami police department, paralyzes his victims, then dismembers them and neatly disposes of the body parts in a series of plastic bags.

 

The big question is whether a show can capture an audience when its lead character chops people — even wicked people — into small pieces.

 

“The show aspires to a certain moral ambiguity,” Hall said in a recent phone interview. “Ideally, an audience member should feel torn about Dexter. He’s compulsively killing people, but he’s also taking responsibility for his darker impulses. Plus he’s a conscientious brother, a good boyfriend and surrogate parent, and he enjoys his day work.”

 

In flashbacks, we see the young Dexter with his foster father (James Remar), who recognizes Dexter’s uncontrollable homicidal urges and tries to channel them so that at least Dexter is only killing bad people.

 

Dexter is portrayed as a sociopath who masks his lack of feeling beneath a layer of glib surface charm. That means Hall is an actor playing a character who is always acting.

 

“You can’t overthink it,” said Hall. “But I don’t have to talk myself out of an awareness that I’m acting, because Dexter is always acting himself. Actually, he’s gotten so adept it’s practically second nature to him.”

 

Outwardly, at least, Dexter appears far more self-assured than the perpetually insecure David Fisher of Six Feet Under.

 

“Well, they both look a lot like me,” Hall said when asked to compare the two characters. “They’re similar in that they’re both characterized by a certain complexity. . . for different reasons and in different ways their lives are characterized by a lot of compartmentalization.”

 

Hall said he doesn’t want to give away too much of Dexter’s plot, but he hinted that Dexter’s might be developing some emotional attachments despite himself.

 

As the series starts, Dexter is closest to two women, his sister Debra and his girlfriend Rita.

 

Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) is a cop desperate to get out of vice, where she has to dress like a hooker all day, and into homicide. “If I could have feelings at all, I’d have then for Deb,” Dexter says in the show’s voiceover narration, and he does his best to advance her career within the police department.

 

But, as Hall points out, helping Debra is dangerous, because the better she becomes as a cop, the more likely she is to suspect Dexter. There’s already one cop in the department, the surly Sgt. Doakes (Erik King), who’s convinced there’s something not quite right about Dexter. He just can’t figure out what.

 

As for Rita, Dexter has figured out that it would appear strange if he wasn’t in a relationship, even though he has absolutely no interest in sex. So he found Rita (Julie Benz), a sweet single mom who survived an abusive husband and can’t bring herself to have sex. “Rita’s perfect,” says Dexter in his voiceover. “Because she is, in her own way, as damaged as me.”

 

But if Rita should ever decide she is ready for a more physical relationship, Dexter could have a problem.

 

He’s already fending off his boss, Lt. Maria LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) who makes little secret of her sexual interest in Dexter.

 

Based on Jeff Lindsay’s novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, the plot revolves around a cat-and-mouse (or more accurately cat-and-cat) game between Dexter and another serial killer, whose impeccable technique wins Dexter’s professional admiration. When the second killer begins stalking Dexter, he finds himself exhilarated rather then frightened.

 

Hall said that his starring role in Dexter is in some respects easier than his role on Six Feet Under, in which he was part of an ensemble.

 

“The hours are longer [on Dexter] and I’m in more scenes,” he said. “But trying to stay in the groove is harder in an ensemble; it’s like jumping onto a moving train. Now I’m on the train all the time.”

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Is anyone else watching this? I finally found a new show this season that I LOVE. (But I may just be very sick and twisted.)

 

Michael C. Hall is fantastic as always, and the show is doing a great job exploring all kinds of scary moral ambiguities. (Not to mention some very kickass plotting.) A really great and evil twist on the traditional mystery shows out there.

 

I love it this much just after the pilot, so I am really looking forward to seeing more episodes!

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I've read and loved the two books that the series is based on (Darkly Dreaming Dexter and Dearly Devoted Dexter), but the hubby nixed getting Showtime for the series since I'm only home weekends. If they sell this on iTunes I would definitely buy it. Can totally see Michael C Hall as Dexter, and Julie Benz would be perfect for Rita (formerly abused, not really interested in intimacy, etc.). Now I just have to hope that they publish another Dexter book soon.

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You should definitely watch if you can get ahold of some episodes. It's GREAT. They were interviewing Jeff Lindsay (the author)and he said it scared him how much Michael C. Hall had nailed the character just as he imagined him. The guy who plays the cop who is onto him is also fantastic and so is the woman who plays the girlfriend

 

It's not really as violent as I thought it would be (though occasionally gory) but overall they just really do a very thoughtful, interesting job exploring the genre and a lot of interesting issues you don't usually see on TV. I really recommend it.

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I am watching it too Soho, but it is easy to grab me on something like this. I own the complete encyclopedia of serial killers among my other serial killer books. I like the show and agree that Michael is good. I am left a little cold with the killing portion of the series, in that we don't really explore why he chooses his victim, etc. I am also hoping the cop who is "onto him" can maybe tone down the anger. It seems that is the only emotion he can do. But overall I am liking it.

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I am watching it too Soho, but it is easy to grab me on something like this. I own the complete encyclopedia of serial killers among my other serial killer books. I like the show and agree that Michael is good. I am left a little cold with the killing portion of the series, in that we don't really explore why he chooses his victim, etc. I am also hoping the cop who is "onto him" can maybe tone down the anger. It seems that is the only emotion he can do. But overall I am liking it.

A serial killer book collection! I would say I was a little scared of you now, except that I have a huge film and lit noir collection, so I have no room to talk :D

 

I agree, the cop who is onto him is totally angry. But I find it kind of funny. He reminds me of a few cops I have known. I haven't seen the next episode yet (sitting down to watch it right now!) so I could see where that could get old.

 

Re: choosing his victim, I thought that he got the cases on the guys he kills from the file room - you know, from that lady he gave the donuts to? (the one with the slightly knowing look who knew his father?) And that she gives him files on the cases where really bad killer guys get off (e.g., the snuff killer guy who they explained got off on a bad search warrant) and then Dexter investigates and, once satisfied that the guy really is guilty, does the rest of the "justice." Is that what you were wondering about? Or did you mean you wanted something more psychological about why he chooses them? On that, I get the feeling there will be a backstory with his cop father that gets developed there so I am just kind of waiting for it.

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How gory is this? I love, love Michael C. Hall (I was a HUGE Six Feet Under fan), but I can't stand to watch blood and guts. I can barely stand to watch CSI (and I cover my eyes during the really gross parts!). I haven't tuned in because of this, but I'd hate to miss out.

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It's a bit gory. They don't usually show the violence itself but they show bodies and blood and other gross stuff. I have the same problem, though, and I have been able to tell when gross stuff is coming and cover my eyes. :)

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Last weekend was free preview on Showtime, so I recorded the first two episodes. I'm hooked!!! And now I'm screwed, because Showtime doesn't sell on iTunes. Bummer.

 

The only character I'm not thrilled with is the sister - I didn't picture her quite that insecure from the book. But everyone else, especially Dexter, perfection! It looks like most of the season will cover the mystery from the first book and not into the second book (maybe Dearly Devoted Dexter will be used for the second season?).

 

Thanks for the recommend Soho! And Cruizin', you are my kind of reader. My motto is "no dead bodies, no place on my bookshelf." It's always the quiet ones, ya know? ;)

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"Dexter" back to kill again on Showtime

 

"Dexter" will be bringing his own brand of justice back to Showtime for another season.

 

The premium cable network said Thursday it ordered a second season of the drama series, which centers on Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a likable forensics expert for the Miami Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer.

 

Production on 12 hourlong episodes is set to begin in the spring, with a premiere date targeted for summer.

 

In making the announcement, Showtime president of entertainment Robert Greenblatt cited critical acclaim and viewership tallies as reasons behind the decision to renew the show.

 

"'Dexter' is a home run for us, both critically and in popularity -- the show was launched at the height of all the broadcast networks' fall launches and instantly became our highest-rated show," he said. "People seem fascinated by the moral ambiguity of Dexter."

 

"Dexter's" cumulative viewership tally stands at nearly 2 million viewers a week across all of its runs. The show premiered October 1, drawing 603,000 in its first run at 10 p.m., which made it the second-highest-rated premiere for a one-hour drama on Showtime, behind only "The L Word." "Dexter" will air its season finale December 17.

 

"Dexter," based on the novel "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" by Jeff Lindsay, also stars Jennifer Carpenter, Lauren Velez, Julie Benz, Erik King, David Zayas and James Remar.

 

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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Damn it...I really like Dexter's girlfriend, Rita...I still don't like Dexter's sponsor. And I hate what happened on the show this week, but I guess it was inevitable. :rolleyes:

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I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, Lila freaks me out :blink: I hope Rita fights for her man.

 

Thank goodness they have gone back to using more of the wonderful voiceovers. I was getting worried about the show, but it's getting back on track. LOVE!!! Keith Carradine :wub: :wub: so glad he's on this show :wub: :wub: ..

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This Sunday is going to rock, I can't wait to see who gets it :D

Why isn't keith Carradine on my TV every damn night? He is just exquisite in everything he does.[i hope he's still "Easy"] :D

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This Sunday is going to rock, I can't wait to see who gets it :D

Why isn't keith Carradine on my TV every damn night? He is just exquisite in everything he does.[i hope he's still "Easy"] :D

 

Am I the only one who gets the feeling that he knows more than he lets on?

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Am I the only one who gets the feeling that he knows more than he lets on?

I totally agree! I think he is on to Dexter. Unfortunately I think this is bad news for him. Sigh. I love him on this show.

 

I hope they hurry up and kill Lila off. She bugs.

Edited by soho2chelsea

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*bump* Is no one else watching? I think this is the best show on television right now!

I love this show as well. Michael C. Hall is amazing. This show makes me so tense - I know that I should dislike Dexter, him being a killer and all - but I get really nervous when he slips up.

 

I dislike the Lila character and wish she would go away, but I do not want Dexter to kill her. I don't want him to get caught. That's the genius of this show.

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I feel the same, except that I sometimes wish he would kill Lila, and then I immediately feel ashamed of myself :unsure:

 

I also love Doakes, and I hope he's not going to be leaving the show.

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'Dexter,' more may migrate from cable

By Georg Szalai and Nellie Andreeva

Dec 5, 2007

 

 

The breakout hit "Dexter" and other Showtime series could soon land on sibling broadcast network CBS if the writers strike stretches into the new year.

 

CBS Corp. president and CEO Leslie Moonves said at an investor conference Tuesday in New York that CBS is planning to repurpose some Showtime programs.

 

"Dexter is probably the first one to go on -- with some edits," he told reporters afterwards. "It fits with our crime shows."

 

"Dexter," a racy critical and ratings hit for Showtime, stars Michael C. Hall as a Miami police forensics expert who moonlights as a vigilante serial killer.

 

CBS, of course, is the leader in the forensic crime drama genre with the "CSI" franchise.

 

Moonves didn't specify when "Dexter" would launch on CBS beyond saying it should come "in the near future."

 

Now in its second season on Showtime, "Dexter" has broken ratings records for the premium cable network. Its Nov. 18 episode ranked as the most watched in Showtime's history.

 

The broadcast networks have been exploring the idea of repurposing series from their sister cable networks as strike contingency.

 

NBC has been rumored to be looking at a potential a second window on the network for such NBC Uni cable series as USA's "Monk" and "Burn Notice" and Sci Fi's "Battlestar Galactica." NBC already exercised its option to repurpose "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," which moved from the broadcast network to USA in the fall.

 

In addition to "Dexter," CBS also might consider Showtime's racy period drama "The Tudors," which was originally developed for CBS, and critically praised comedy "Weeds," about a weed-peddling soccer mom. However, both will need heavy editing to make it to broadcast primetime.

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Showtime's 'Dexter' to Eye net

By Georg Szalai and Nellie Andreeva

Dec 5, 2007

 

As the writers strike enters its second month with no end in sight, repurposing cable series on broadcast networks is becoming a reality.

 

CBS Corp. president and CEO Leslie Moonves said Tuesday that CBS plans to repurpose some Showtime series, including the breakout hit "Dexter."

 

Additionally, NBC is said to have expressed interest in running USA's hip new action drama "Burn Notice."

 

" 'Dexter' is probably the first one to go on -- with some edits," Moon?ves told reporters at the annual UBS Global Media & Communications Conference in New York. "It fits with our crime shows."

 

The edgy, offbeat "Dexter," which has become a critical and ratings success for Showtime, stars Michael C. Hall as a Miami police forensics expert who moonlights as a vigilante serial killer.

 

CBS, of course, is the leader in the forensic crime drama genre with the "CSI" franchise.

 

Moonves didn't specify when "Dexter" would launch on CBS beyond saying it should come "in the near future."

 

Now in its second season on Showtime, "Dexter" has broken ratings records for the premium cable network. Its Nov. 18 episode ranked as the most-watched in Showtime history.

 

In addition to "Dexter," CBS also is considering Showtime's racy period drama "The Tudors," which originally was developed for CBS, and the critically praised dark comedy "Weeds," about a marijuana-peddling soccer mom. However, both would need heavy editing to make it to broadcast primetime.

 

CBS chief research officer David Poltrack said after Moonves' presentation at the conference that it was hard to forecast how well Showtime's programming would do on the broadcast network, particularly because of what would have to be edited. He noted that Showtime's programming of "Dexter" and "Weeds" generally rated high or higher than broadcast fare in CBS Corp.'s testing of viewer satisfaction.

 

"There's no reason why that wouldn't translate" from pay cable to broadcast, Poltrack said.

 

Showtime toppers on Tuesday said CBS had been looking at the cable network's entire slate. They welcomed the idea of their shows getting a second run on the sister broadcast net but stressed that no deals are done.

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