Showtime's Dexter revival has found its new adversary for Michael C. Hall's titular serial killer. Clancy Brown, known for roles in projects such as The Shawshank Redemption and for providing the voice for Lex Luthor in Superman: The Animated Series, has been cast as the primary villain of the returning series.
Dexter originally concluded its eight-season run with a divisive series finale in which Hall's vigilante decided to fake his own death upon realizing that his presence merely placed his loved ones in danger, a realization prompted by the death of his sister Debra. Now, Showtime's 10-episode limited revival will reunite viewers with Dexter Morgan 7 years after his decision to assume a new identity in Oregon, leaving behind his son and lover Hannah McKay. The new season of the series will reunite Hall with original showrunner Clyde Phillips, who departed the show after the fourth season.
TVLine has learned Brown will join the cast of the Dexter revival in the series regular role of Kurt Caldwell, the unofficial mayor of a small town called Iron Lake. According to the official description of the character, Caldwell fulfilled the American dream after following in his father's footsteps by driving big rigs until owning several trucks and the local truck shop on his own. As a "true man of the people," Caldwell is loved by everyone and those who are backed by him should consider themselves blessed. However, should anyone cross Caldwell or hurt those he cares about, then "God help you." At this time, it is unclear if the town of Iron Lake will serve as the primary setting for the entirety of the Dexter revival's limited run.
While the series finale of Dexter was largely maligned, sour feelings towards the show were burgeoning well before it concluded. Initially acclaimed and showered with awards, including two Golden Globes for the performances of Hall and supporting actor John Lithgow in the fourth season, questionable creative decisions, such as having Dexter's sister fall in love with her brother, led viewers to heavily criticize the direction of the series. Nonetheless, Phillips has stated that while the Dexter revival intends to provide an alternate finale, the events of the season's he was not a part of will not be undone as a result.
Although opinions on Dexter are not nearly as strong as they were in the show's heyday, Brown certainly has a lot to live up to when it comes to villains on the Showtime series. Notable actors to portray antagonists to Hall's Dexter include the aforementioned Lithgow, Edward James Olmos, and The West Wing alumn Jimmy Smits.
Of course, fans of Brown's work likely have no doubt that the veteran actor is more capable of measuring up to expectations considering his wealth of experience playing villains. In addition to his previously mentioned antagonistic roles in The Shawshank Redemption and Superman: The Animated Series, Brown is well-known for portraying The Kurgan in Highlander.
Dexter is currently scheduled to premiere on Showtime in fall 2021.
Source: TVLine