‘Dexter’ Claims Two More Seasons
If you thought becoming a family man would soften the Bay Harbor Butcher’s resolve, guess again.
The trades have announced that Showtime has picked up Dexter for an additional two seasons. Currently in its third year, Dexter is Showtime’s top-rated drama series. The show averages 2.5 million viewers per week, and is likely to exceed three million viewers when DVR and on-demand numbers roll in.
"I thought at best we would attract a devoted cult audience but soon realized that, ironically, this show is so thematically rich and layered with humanity that audiences of all kinds have flocked to it," says Showtime president of entertainment Robert Greenblatt of Dexter‘s success.
Executive producer Clyde Phillips tells E! Online that he’s elated by the news, especially considering that he and his co-workers were not convinced that this season would enjoy the success of previous years.
"We were concerned because we were creating the show this year out of a whole cloth, whereas the first two years we had Jeff Lindsay’s book," says Phillips. "[In the second season, we] had Dexter in danger, and is he going to get caught … [this] year, we didn’t have any of that. So we’re really proud that we were able to put together a well thought out, well nuanced and exciting storyline for this year."
That’s in no small thanks to the newly arrived Jimmy Smits, who plays Miami Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado in the new season.
"I have to tell you, when Jimmy and Michael [C. Hall] do a scene, we all go down and watch just because it’s like watching two amazing actors on a stage," says Phillips. "As far as we’re concerned, when we’re sitting in the editing room, those guys are winning Emmys everyday. "
This year, Dexter received five Emmy nominations, including ones for best lead actor (Michael C. Hall) and best drama series. It has won several other awards, including Satellite Awards for Best Drama Series, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor to David Zayas for his role as Angel Batista.
Dexter‘s fourth season will go into production this spring in Los Angeles. The fourth and fifth seasons will consist of 12 episodes each.
In related television news, ABC has picked up the back nine for Private Practice, assuring a full season. Maybe Dexter could pay them a visit and put the tortured medics out of their self-involved misery.