'Dexter' is getting a new showrunner for its sixth season

There will be a change at the helm of Showtime's flagship drama Dexter for its upcoming sixth season. The series' executive producer Scott Buck has been named new showrunner. He will succeed Chip Johannessen, who ran the show last season. Dexter's fifth season, which concluded on Sunday, ranks as the highest-rated season of the drama series to date, averaging more than 5 million viewers per week on TV and on-demand. And while Johannessen is well regarded, the feeling was that Buck, who had been on the show since the second season, serving as No.2 to Johannessen and previous showrunner Clyde Phillips, was ready to take the reins of the series, which landed several Golden Globe and SAG nominations this week. Buck also has had great rapport with the show's writers, all of whom are returning next season. Buck joined Dexter at the beginning of Season 2 as a co-executive producer and was upped to executive producer at the beginning of Season 4. He has written or co-written the last three season finales, including the one that aired on Sunday. Before Dexter, WME-repped Buck was a writer/producer on HBO's Six Feet Under.


Source: deadline

'Dexter' Latest From TV Guide's Matt Roush

Question: As a massive Dexter fan, I've found myself unattached and disappointed with the fifth season. I accepted that it would not be as strong as the fourth season and was interested in how it would deal with Dexter losing Rita, but moving into this season's close, I am eager for it to finish and hope that the sixth season will redeem what a lackluster and uninteresting year this has been. There's been a few problems: the Maria/Angel "snooze" subplots, a wooden and uninvolving performance from Julia Stiles, a pedestrian killer storyline that looked like it came off an episode of Criminal Minds, to name a few, but the problem I have had is how it has dealt with Rita's death. Her death was a risky game-changer and moved the show into a new direction, but all it seemed to do was return Dexter back to doing what he was doing in season 1 (killing bad guys, covering his steps), and moving the kids away to Florida was a sloppy and predictable move.

I get that Dexter doesn't feel emotion, but his handling of the Rita death and how it splits his family apart felt unauthentic and cold and in hindsight now seemed an excuse to remove his family and it appears that he hasn't changed as a person. After five seasons, Dexter is still the same person he was in season 1, now with a baby and the good old plot device of the babysitter who is always around so he can continue his killing. If anything has a pulse this season, it's Debra, who at least has been doing something interesting this season. Michael C. Hall as usual is giving it everything he can, but the season has made me frustrated as a die-hard fan and I just can't wait for it to be all over. What are your thoughts this season? Has it all been worth it? — Chris

Matt Roush: I waited till watching Sunday's season finale before answering this, and while I see where you're coming from in terms of this year's villains and the hit-or-miss characterization of Lumen, I'm not nearly as down on the season — and the development of Dexter — as a whole. It was undoubtedly an uneven season and sagged quite a bit in the middle, but I was OK with the way they handled Rita's death, especially the immediate aftermath, when a numb Dexter tried to endure and understand the stages of grief while having trouble getting back his killer mojo. Even the kids turning on him made sense, although I agree the saintly babysitter is an awfully convenient device. I do think it was worth it for Dexter to experience being with someone who sees the true Dexter and accepts him for it — although ultimately is unable to live with it once she achieves her own bloody vengeance. With the baby, the family, Lumen, watching Deb let the vigilantes get away (not knowing it's her brother behind the screen): Dexter is continually confronted by the mysteries of humanity and there are moments when he actually sees hope for himself. But only to a point. And really, what a great final line: "Wishes, of course, are for children." The fact is there is no Dexter if Dexter gives up the hunt. As he tells Lumen: "Don't be sorry your darkness is gone. I'll carry it for you always." All of which may be an argument for the show not continuing indefinitely. It can be frustrating if you really want to see change in a character this perversely audacious. But as imperfect as this season was, the way it ended probably left most of the show's fans eager for next season to begin already.

'Dexter' Latest From EOnline's Kristin

Karl: Loved the [Dexter] finale, but what did Deb mean during her final conversation with Dexter at the party: "You must be [happy] too, now that this is all over." What would Deb be referring to as "this"? Is she dropping a hint that she knows he was helping Number 13, or did I completely miss what Deb was talking about?I went to executive producer Sara Colleton with this question, because so many of you were asking it (as well as the two following Q's). She tells you: "Deb is referring to the barrel-girls case. It was meant to be purposely vague, and it should make Dexter wonder exactly what it is she means as he can't be sure."

Nicollette: Are we to believe that Quinn did not figure out that Dexter is a killer? Or is that yet to be determined?Per Colleton: "Quinn may suspect Dexter has been somehow involved in Liddy's death, but don't think his world view is large enough yet to imagine who Dexter really is."

Maurice: So bummed to see Lumen leave last night on Dexter! Any chance Julia Stiles will return?Colleton: "That has not been discussed. But she is out there..."



Source: EOnline's Kristin Dos Santos

'Dexter' Producer Answers Questions on Finale

Dexter executive producer Sara Colleton sheds light on Lumen’s departure, Deb’s big decision, Dexter’s new outlook, and much more….

EW: Two years in a row, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) has lost the woman he loves, albeit in two very different ways. Was it always the intention to have this season end with Lumen (Julia Stiles) alive, but not with Dexter?SARA COLLETON: From the very beginning we knew that Lumen would leave Dexter. In his season-long journey toward atonement [for his part in Rita’s death], this woman tumbles into his life and inadvertently becomes the way in which he does achieve atonement. But along the way this miracle happens—something that Dexter never thought would be possible in his life—he finds a soul mate…. Once she goes from victim to avenging angel, he realizes that she is the woman who has the kind of strength of resolve that Dexter has, and he exposes himself completely to her. Instead of turning away in horror, she empathizes and is so grateful to him for his courage and support. Their respective traumas have created this bond. So it’s devastating for Dexter to lose her, and he has never wanted anything before like this. But at the same time there’s something so incredibly direct about Lumen that when she tells him why she has to leave, it makes perfect sense to him. He understands that her dark passenger has left, that her need for vengeance has been quenched, and that he can never escape this, this is who he is, and he needs to let her go. As he said, “I will carry your darkness with mine.”

That might be the most romantic thing Dexter has ever said.Oh my God, it’s so romantic. But he accepts that it’s his punishment. And at Harrison’s first birthday party, Dexter has realized with ruefulness and irony that the circle has come full and that he has paid his price—and the price has been one true love. He has let Lumen go out into the world. But she has left behind two very real gifts, two pieces of knowledge that leave Dexter in a place he’s never been before, which is the knowledge that he can be seen and that he can be loved. The other gift is that Harrison does not have to be doomed to a life of darkness, even though Dexter reproduces his own making, if you will, by being responsible for his son witnessing his mother’s bloody death. By witnessing what Lumen went through, Dexter realizes that you can vanquish darkness and go on to a normal life.

Yet with that optimism comes some dark resignation. As he says: “But wishes, of course, are for children.”It’s rueful, it’s ironic, but it’s a healed Dexter who says, “I am who I am.” More than ever he realizes who he is, but not with an absolute sense of bleakness. He felt what it was like to be seen, to be loved, truly. That is a huge thing that he’s going to hold on to.

Is the door open for Lumen to return?She’s alive, so therefore the door is, of course, open.

Are you leaning to doing next season with multiple villains again, or returning to a single season-long adversary story?We’re so grateful that our fans stayed with us and realized, “Even though they’re changing some things, they’re not changing the core of what the show is.” We can go back to the season-long adversary, we can go back to multiple adversaries, or we can open it up to some new way of plotting out season [6], which we haven’t thought of yet.

A huge moment for Deb: She chooses not to pull back the curtain to discover the identity of Victim 13 and her partner, allowing Lumen and Dexter to go free. Why did you decide to go that way with the story?Deb has had a really interesting growth over the past five years. If you remember her from year 1, her energy was all over the place and she was coltish and insecure—this delightful unfocused character who slowly over the years has learned to focus all of that energy and she has become a formidable detective. But part of becoming a detective and pursuing the dark side is an awareness that anyone who takes a walk on the wild side never comes back all the way. What may have started out as a rigid sense of what’s right and wrong—what’s good and evil—starts to turn into a bit of gray. And when Deb finally brings down Carlos Fuentes earlier in the season, she’s surprised that she feels nothing—and is intrigued by that sensation. And one of the most subtle conversations between Dexter and his sister takes place over a beer in Dexter’s apartment when she’s going on about how she didn’t feel anything, and Dexter gives her this look and goes, “Dad once told me there are people who deserve to die.” And she looks at him and goes, ‘Do you think there are people that deserve to die?” It’s this moment where Dexter has floated out this little trial balloon. So you see Deb starting to make that turn. And based on her experience with Rudy and in episode 10 when she sees all of those [Barrel Girl] tapes—it’s traumatizing yet strengthening for her—she comes up with the vigilante theory. When she finally gets to the camp and realizes that she has stumbled upon “13” and her helpmate, it’s not until the very end of her speech where she makes that change. And Jennifer Carpenter did a brilliant piece of acting because the character doesn’t know until that very moment that she’s going to do something. It’s a huge, defining moment for Deb. That’s a new Deb who says, “The place is going to be crawling with police in an hour,” and sails up the stairs and goes to Quinn and says, “I don’t care what happened—I love you.” It’s wonderful—and it also opens the door because eventually, some season is going to have to deal with Deb finding out about Dexter.

Didn’t part of you wonder if her curiosity would have won out in that situation?But that’s what interesting because it shows a maturation in that impulse control. One of the things that Jennifer [Carpenter] and I talked about was the levels that Deb would have to go through in that one scene to get to that moment. Her first instinct would be, “I’ve worked too hard. Part the curtain for a minute, take a look.” But Deb being Deb, if she parts the curtains, she can’t let them go. So it’s a big choice she has to live with, never knowing that and letting them go.

Will we have to wait until the end game for Deb to finally find out the truth about Dexter?[Or] it could be midway to the end game. We really want to figure out how long we want the show to run, so that we [can have] an end game. I will not let this show end with a whimper—it has to end with a bang…. What’s interesting is that we’ve laid the seeds in her character for a more nuanced reaction, so that whatever way we take, our audience goes, “Okay, that feels right,” rather than, “What???”

Let’s talk about the twisted self-help guru Jordan Chase, who, as he is about to die, seemed to take genuine pride that he had motivated Lumen and Dexter….And he completely believes in the transformation from Eugene Greer to Jordan Chase—as he lay dying, that is still his greatest accomplishment…. The audience knows before Dexter knows that he’s a bad guy, and his advice to Dexter is so true and sincere that you have to constantly remind yourself that he’s a bad guy. And then his psychosis is slowly revealed, and once it is, he’s unhinged. [Jonny Lee Miller] plays it full-throttle in a way that’s such a pleasure to witness. I thought he gave an amazing ballsy performance.

When exactly did Dexter stash the knife that he used on Jordan?It was before he got into the car—he realized that Jordan would know he was coming for him and would have a surprise prepared for him, so Dexter prepared himself for the worst possible scenario. When Harry says, “Be prepared,” and Dexter says, “Could you just trust me for once?,” he’s already had that knife hidden on his body in anticipation of something going wrong.

Looking back at season 5, what are you most proud of?I think we pulled off Lumen. Society holds women up to a different standard of behavior, so having a woman who wanted to avenge what was done to her and is single-minded about it was a very hard thing to pull off. It’s a thorny, hard character that is not feminine. And yet Julia played it so real that you care about her, and you end up rooting for her and for this odd romance.

And what didn’t work as well as you had hoped?One character that we didn’t have as much time to explore is the nanny [Sonia, played by Maria Doyle Kennedy]. But that could be something very interesting for next year. As Deb said, “Maybe I should call Interpol, because why this overqualified nurse from Ireland wanting to take this low-level job?” Sonia was able to call Dexter on his s—. She was absolutely fearless in dealing with Dexter. But we had so much going on that we could never really explore that character and that was a regret.

It’s funny you say that because some fans wondered if something sinister was going with Sonia, or if you were toying with us and she was just a red herring.No, we always want to bring in characters with as much dimension as possible. If Harrison is going to have a nanny, let’s [make her] the most interesting character. And then we got [Maria], Catherine of Aragon from The Tudors. She is a wonderful actress. The season became so complicated with so many characters because we were breaking form a bit that we never got to explore hers to the fullest…. I hope we do so next year, because there’s a great deal of potential there.

Speaking of loose ends, will we return to the Kyle Butler story line?Kyle Butler—and Jonah [Brando Eaton]—is still a hanging chad. When Quinn shows him a picture of Dexter and says, “Is this Kyle Butler,” Jonah’s first response is not, “Yeah, that’s the guy.” He’s protecting Dexter. This is a door that can be reopened. Lumen being alive is a hanging chad. Dexter does not drop the dime on Quinn [Desmond Harrington]. I love the fact that Dexter decides to again flout the Harry law, which is: Don’t get caught. It could have been a dead cert to put Quinn away, and yet, because he is in the flush of first love, he wants his sister to be happy so he gives Quinn a free pass.

What’s one guarantee you can make about next season?Hmmm… Deb will learn Spanish, I think Harrison will be seeing his second birthday, and Dexter will still be enjoying the Slice of Life.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Julia Stiles and Chip Johannessen Talk 'Dexter' Finale

Spoiler Alert: Chip Johannessen and Julia Stiles discusses the season five finale of Dexter.

Dexter 5x12 Finale Sneak Peek

Dexter is lured into a trap. Quinn puts his personal feelings about Dexter aside in order to ask for his help. Deb allows her emotions cloud her judgment.

'Dexter' Latest Scoops From Entertainment Weekly

@dBoyfromOz asks: Any scoop on the Dexter finale?Sgt. Batista’s on-the-rocks marriage with LaGuerta won’t get any better before the end of the season — but that doesn’t mean the marriage is hopeless, either. David Zayas told me this week at a LAByrinth Theater Company’s annual celebrity charades fundraiser in New York that the couple’s season-long troubles aren’t necessarily a sign of a breakup. “It never gets resolved. Marriages don’t get resolved. It’s a journey,” he said. “There probably won’t be a definite answer to that question in the season finale, but we’ll be back.” Yes. they will!

Lisa B. asks: You were such a tease on the Dexter spoilers last week! I want to know if Julia Stiles’ character is going to return next season, and if Deb is going to find out about Dexter’s “dark passenger” this season.Everyone has been tight-lipped regarding the Dexter finale — but luckily, the same can’t be said for star Michael C. Hall. While presenting a “Dexter-esque” playlist on New York’s 101.0 RXP, the actor seemingly spilled a huge spoiler by saying fans should pay “special attention” to one of his picks, Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Keep It With Mine,” before watching the finale. Among the lyrics to this song that so-perfectly describes Dexter and Lumen: “The train leaves at half past 10/ But it’ll be back tomorrow same time again./ The conductor, he’s weary, still stuck on the line./ But if I can save you any time/ Come on, give it to me. I’ll keep it with mine.” Train = literal? Train = escape? Train = metaphor for killing? Okay, clearly I’m not a lyric-interpreting genius by any means, so I’m taking your guesses in comments!

Source: Entertainment Weekly Magazine

'Dexter' New Spoilers From EOnline's Kristin

@CaliDiva (via Twitter): Dexter season finale: Will it wrap things up or leave us cliffhanging?The good news? Desmond Harrington tells us: "I don't think there's a cliffhanger." The bad news? He's specifically talking about a cliffhanger for his character, Quinn. And this is Dexter so I'd bet good money (seriously, like tens of dollars!) that there will be one. If you missed Desmond's interview, drop what you're doing and read it now here.

@badasian (via Twitter): Anything juicy you can share for next week's Dexter finale?Quinn is definitely in deep doo-doo, per Desmond, who points out that along with the blood (Liddy's blood) that hit his foot, "the phone calls that Liddy's made to [Quinn] and he's made to Liddy are obviously on this guy's phone." Whoopsie!

Monica: What are the chances Deb will find out that Dexter is a serial killer in the finale?Does it not seem she's thisclose and totally warming to the idea? And obviously, Quinn is even closer. Desmond tells me "Honestly, I don't think Quinn would have a problem with justice being served the way Dexter does it…" (!!!) But he adds: "I honestly don't think that someone could be very close to him [and know the truth]. I think there could be a don't-ask-don't-tell thing but I don't think someone could be particularly [close] and know the depths to which he's killed."

Matt: Any other Dexter finale news?Rita's cutesy kids Astor (Christina Robinson) and Cody (Preston Bailey) will return for a sweet (and short-lived) reunion with step-daddy Dexter.

'Dexter' 2 Sneak Peeks for Episode 5.06 “The Big One”

Despite knowing he's being baited into a trap, Dexter risks everything to make sure he doesn't fall into the same mistake again.

'Dexter' Season Finale Preview

In the season finale, Dexter's situation grows desperate when he discovers that Lumen's been set up. Despite knowing he's being baited into a trap, Dexter risks everything to make sure he doesn't fall into the same mistake again. In the Barrel Girls case, Debra lets her personal feelings lead her instincts once she concludes that vigilantes are more than just a theory. Quinn finds himself in a troublesome situation, which only Dexter can help him out of.

Dexter 5x11 - "Hop a freighter" - Sneak Peeks 3 and 4

Damage control becomes Dexter's latest personal assignment, while Deb's speculation grows. In the meantime, a murder is tied to Quinn.

'Dexter' Mini Scoop From EW

@xshley asks: What the heck is going to happen next on Dexter?You’ll have to be slightly more specific. For example, “‘What is going to happen after Dexter ends up unconscious in the back of a white panel van this Sunday?” That’s a question I could’ve answered. Or how about, “Will Jordan Chase, who up until now has kept his hands very much out of the killing action, finally gets his hands dirty in the penultimate episode of the season?” Another really excellent question I could have answered.

'Dexter' New Scoops!

Any scoop on Dexter? — Scott
NATALIE: In the season's penultimate episode, there are not one, but two deaths! And not one, but two kidnappings! What's happening to whom? Here are your hints: There are four separate victims, two male and two female. One death you'll cheer, and one will make you cringe. As for the kidnappings, let's just say both victims prove to be easy prey for their captors.

Source: Tv Guide

Dexter 5x11 - "Hop a freighter" - Sneak Peeks

Damage control becomes Dexter's latest personal assignment, while Deb's speculation grows. In the meantime, a murder is tied to Quinn.

Dexter 5x10 Sneak Peek 3

Miami Metro uncovers more evidence in their ongoing investigations, and Debra names two suspects. Dexter, meanwhile, comes across a possible ally.
 

Dexter 5x10 - In The Beginning - Synopsis and Promo

Just as Dexter discovers a possible ally in the pursuit of Lumen's former captors, he and Lumen are forced to step down as Homicide uncovers some key evidence linked to one of their prior victims. Debra, who's been reassigned to the Barrel Girls murders, positively identifies two more suspects in the case.

'Dexter' New Spoilers From EW

“Take It” took it to another level: Last week’s episode of Dexter was a highlight of the season. But with self-help guru Jordan Chase on Dexter’s mind, a highly motivated Lumen at his side, and Quinn’s boy Liddy hot on his trail, there is no time for you to savor — only time to brace for a new episode titled “Teenage Wasteland,” which airs on Sunday. What to expect from the killer thriller’s upcoming installment? Dexter executive producer Manny Coto drops four hints below. (As a bonus, we also come bearing two exclusive clips of “Teenage Wasteland.”)

Tease No. 1: “This episode marks a large step forward in how Dexter views Lumen because Deborah comes to the realization that there is someone else in Dexter’s life, and Dexter has to figure out a way how to explain who Lumen is and what she represents to him. At the same time, a remnant from the death of Rita comes back into Dexter’s life — namely, Astor — who’s never quite gotten over the death of her mom and still blames Dexter for it. In the course of this episode, Lumen inadvertently helps Dexter come to some kind of understanding with Astor.”

Tease No. 2: “Dexter is undertaking his vetting process with Jordan and that involves Dexter becoming a client. And as Jordan picks Dexter’s brain, Dexter starts to pick at clues that Jordan may or may not have left behind. In this episode, he gets a clue that will lead us into the next couple of episodes. But at the same time, Jordan discovers something that could be devastating.”

Tease No. 3: “Having been knocked back down to the file room because of the shoot-out at the club, Deborah finds evidence … that puts her on a collision course with Dexter.”

Tease No. 4: “Quinn is slowly beginning to realize that he’s unleashed a monster in Liddy, and that the person who he hired to get information on Dexter is very close to learning the truth about Dexter’s real life. And he’s not someone who Quinn will be able to rein back in. Liddy is going to follow this to the bitter end, whether Quinn likes it or not.”
Time to weigh in, folks. What horrific things will Dexter uncover about Jordan? When do you think Deborah will figure out the truth about her brother? Are you intrigued by the Lumen-Dexter relationship? Spill your thoughts below. (Be sure to visit EW.com tomorrow to read Ken Tucker’s interview with Peter Weller, a.k.a. Liddy, and Sandra Gonzalez’s break-down of all the action from “Teenage Wasteland” on Monday.)

Source: EW

'Dexter' 5.10 “In The Beginning" Sneak Peeks

Miami Metro uncovers more evidence in their ongoing investigations, and Debra names two suspects. Dexter, meanwhile, comes across a possible ally.

'Dexter' Spoilers From TV Guide

Life has been twisted, dark and miserable lately for Lumen Pierce (Julia Stiles), which makes her an absolutely perfect fit for Dexter this season. She's been raped, exploited and whipped so badly even Stiles felt the pain. As the actress known for her work in the Bourne movies says, "I forgot to take off my prosthetic slash marks one night and I suddenly went, 'Wait. What happened to me?'"

The bigger question is what's happening to Lumen? Ever since Dexter (Michael C. Hall) rescued her from that serial killer's creepy lockup, Lumen's been a bit of a Dexter wannabe. She wants to kill the people who've brutalized her, which in turn puts Dexter in the odd position of trying to stop murders. "Lumen walks that fine line that's so cool on this show, between doing the right thing and doing the right thing that's sorta the wrong thing," says Stiles, who adds she feels the thrall of the Dexter "community" after only a few guest appearances. "My friends who are crazy about the show are really crazy about the show," she laughs.

Here's what's really crazy: how much we've enjoyed watching Stiles play a pawn in a human-trafficking scheme. Which side wins? The actress isn't telling: "I think we'll see a dramatic ending."

Dexter airs Sundays at 9/8c on Showtime.

Source: TV Guide

'Dexter' Latest Spoilers From Kristin

Sadie: Any Dexter scoop? Will it get good again?
A little birdie told me they have another "doozy" planned for the end of the season—the kind that will have everyone talking, á la the bathtub. My source told me it's a good payoff and then I couldn't really hear anything above the buzzing in my ears. Be forewarned.

Penny: Dexter. Now. Please.
We know you're probably a little freaked after the end of last night's episode—ya know, because Peter Weller's corrupt cop Liddy saw Dex and Lumen dump a body! But fret not...yet...because Quinn is falling pretty hard for Deb and is going to make sure he takes care of her. And Dexter might just catch on to the fact that someone is on to him for a change.

Day: Is Julia Stiles' Dexter character only set to appear in one season, or is there a possibility of her sticking around in the future?
Sorry, but it's just too soon to reveal something that juicy. If we told you that, it may ruin the rest of the season...What we can say is that Julia Stiles is in every one of the season's remaining episodes and plays a pivotal part in Dexter's life up until the very end. So stay tuned for now, and as the season nears its end, the answer to your question will become a little clearer.

@Dexdeb (via Twitter): Is Dexter is signed for a season six?
Dexter boss Chip Johannesson tells us that "there's no official word," but with the end of season five upon us, expect an announcement from Showtime sometime soon. And if Dexter does receive a sixth season, as expected, Chip says the format of this season (á la no big bad) would likely change. "Season six would definitely not look like it did this year because the events are all different," the show runner explains.

Source: E Online's Kristin