The first official trailer forDexter: Resurrectionincludes the return of James Remar as Harry Morgan, Dexter’s adoptive father. Although Harry had died before the events ofDexterseason 1, which first aired in 2006 on Showtime, he appeared throughout all eight seasons of the originalDexterseries as a ghostly manifestation and dark spiritual guide that only Dexter could see. Harry’s ghostly presence was replaced by Dexter’s sister, Deb Morgan – who died in the divisiveDexterseason 8 finale– in the firstDextersequel series,New Blood.Resurrectionis set to premiere on June 05, 2025, on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Harry Morgan was played by Christian Slaterin the recently released Dexter prequel series,Dexter: Original Sin, which portrayed the character for the first time in series history outside a psychological imagining or a flashback. As shown intheDexter: Resurrectionofficial trailer, which premiered at CCXP 2025,James Remar will return as Dexter’s guide in the second sequel seriesin a concerned, fatherly role. “I urge you to be careful, son,” Harry tells Dexter with a cautionary tone. “I’m tired of being careful,” Dexter responds pointedly, suggesting an unhinged side of Dexter that has yet to be seen.
Resurrection Has To Explain Why Harry Looks So Much Older In Dexter’s Imagination
It’s Been 12 Years Since James Remar Last Played Harry
James Remar, who is 71 years old at the time of writing, has not portrayed Harry Morgan in over a decade, creating the unavoidable issue of him (and every other original cast member) aging. However,since Remar plays a figment of Dexter’s imagination, it makes his character’s appearance more trickythan those who are still living, like David Zayas' returning Angel Batista. Dexter remembers Harry as he last saw him, which was when Dexter was roughly 20 years old (although the logistics ofOriginal Sin, led by the 30-year-old Patrick Gibson as Dexter, somewhat alter this).
Regardless, Remar is clearly older inResurrectionthan he was throughout the original Dexter series, even though, technically, his ghostly image shouldn’t be aging. Remar wasn’t de-aged at all based on theDexter: Resurrectiontrailer, which is arguably for the best, especially since de-aging technology can be a big distraction. That said,it still doesn’t make much sense that he would look 20 years older now than he didback when James Remar first started appearing as Harry back inDexterseason 1. Christian Slater playing him inOriginal Sinalso makes the appearance of Harry in visions more complicated, as both the currentDextershows evolve.
Dexter: Resurrection Avoiding De-Aging James Remar As Harry Is Still The Right Decision
It’s Better Than Risking The De-Aging Technology Being A Major Distraction
While de-aging technology has come a long way over the years, having only Harry de-aged inDexter: Resurrectionlikely would have been a pretty big distraction. It’s still unclear just how much Remar will be inResurrection, especially since there are so many new characters, such as Uma Thurman’s Charley and Peter Dinklage’s Leon Prater.
Dexterhas always gotten away with some of the actors' ages not aligningwith how they’re supposed to look anyway, so this decision does track. For example, Michael C. Hall’s notorious “young Dexter” portrayal in flashbacks wearing a wig remains unforgettable.
Why Dexter Is Seeing Harry Again In Resurrection After Having Visions Of Deb In New Blood
Debra Represented Dexter’s Guilt In New Blood, While Harry Acts As A Dark Guide
Two of the biggest character question marks inDexter: Resurrectionare the apparent absences of Angela Bishop, Dexter’s New Bloodgirlfriend, and Debra. While Angela may pop up at some point inResurrection,it’s less likely that Jennifer Carpenter’s Debra will returnunless, for the first time in series history, Dexter will have two ghostly manifestations in the same season.
Harry’s Code still lies at the heart of all Dexter’s killings, but Dexter: Resurrection is starting to feel like Dexter is ready to break some rules.
Resurrectionshowrunner Clyde Phillips may be putting Debra on ice for a surprise appearance, but her absence from the new trailer feels telling and intentional. Harry’s Code still lies at the heart of all Dexter’s killings, butDexter: Resurrectionis starting to feel like Dexter is ready to break some rules. This may play a major part in Harry’s return, as he tries to keep his son under control in the shadows of New York City.
