Not long ago, Paramount seemed to have big plans for the “Dexter” franchise. Both the prequel “Dexter: Original Sin” and the ‘New Blood’ sequel series “Dexter: Resurrection” were produced with a spin-off involving the Trinity killer also being developed.
In the wake of the Skydance merger, those plans are being scaled right back. Showtime renewed ‘Original Sin’ for a second season in April, but then, in August and two weeks after the merger closed, that pickup was rescinded.
‘Resurrection’ is likely to get a second season, but showrunner Clyde Phillips suggests it may be the only series that does. Speaking with the Dissecting Dexter podcast, Phillips discussed the ‘Original Sin’ cancellation and admits it wasn’t handled well:
“It was a tough phone call that I got. They had already picked up the show, and I had informed all the writers and all the actors. Then they unpicked it up. … It wasn’t handled well, and I’m not happy about it.”
He explains that former Showtime head and Paramount co-CEO Chris McCarthy was the one pushing for the expansion of the “Dexter” franchise, and wanted Phillips to “be his new Taylor Sheridan”. However, McCarthy left Paramount after the merger went through.
With him gone, the new Paramount is scaling those plans back and Phillips is sceptical if the Trinity Killer series will get made:
“Trinity is on the back burner, and I don’t think they’re going to go for it. If they canceled Original Sin, which is a built-in hit, how are they going to pick up Trinity? If they do, I’d be delighted, but I don’t see them doing it.”
He also says several years of ‘Original Sin’ were plotted out including younger versions of Doakes, Captain Matthews and Dexter’s brother Brian.
