In the upcoming season finale of ‘Dexter: Original Sin’, actor Patrick Gibson indicates that his character, Young Dexter Morgan, is going to face momentous circumstances that will profoundly shape his future. This is quoted to ensure that the Dexter we’ve all come to recognize and understand eventually comes into being. Gibson, known for his Irish heritage, steps into the shoes of the protagonist in this backstory to Dexter’s life.
‘Dexter: Original Sin’ transports the viewers to 1991-era Miami, where we follow a 20-year-old Dexter, originally portrayed by Michael C. Hall, evolving and exploring his initial days at Miami Metro Police Department. Dexter, a forensic intern at the time, begins to develop an intriguing relationship with his work. This eerily parallels a bond of guidance and encouragement with his father, Harry, played by Christian Slater.
Dexter’s growing fascination with bloodshed starts being directed towards individuals who, in his perspective, are detrimental to society, deserve retribution and are better off eliminated. His bloodlust is a chilling twist on societal justice, as Dexter becomes a unique sort of an executioner.
The series features an ensemble cast, with Molly Brown taking on the role of Debra Morgan, and Christina Milian starring as María LaGuerta. James Martinez becomes Angel Batista, and Vince Masuka is masterfully portrayed by Alex Shimizu. Other notable characters include Bobby Watt, played by Reno Wilson, Aaron Spencer embodied by Patrick Dempsey, and Tanya Martin brought to life by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Regarding his first encounter with Michael C. Hall, Patrick Gibson recounts a delightful experience. Originally connecting over a basic Zoom call for a table read, Hall later sent him an email to delve deeper into Dexter’s character.
Having been the embodiment of Dexter for an extensive period, Hall shares his unique insights into this peculiar character. The challenge lies in the portrayal of a character who experiences emotions unlike most, making the character a fascinating study for any actor.
Dexter negates empathy in a way that paints an unusual acting landscape. Gibson ponders on how to carve empathy for a character devoid of conventional sentiments. Hall enlightens him by sharing the ways in which he made Dexter, on paper an unrelatable character, into someone the audience could connect with.
Gibson describes his process of getting into the skin of Dexter, mastering his voice, getting familiar with his mannerisms, and imitating his unique personality. He devoted considerable time studying Hall, observing his idiosyncrasies, the calculated movements, and distinctive manner.
Dexter is depicted as an obsessively meticulous individual, whose precision and attention to detail are most evident when he cleans up a crime site. His compulsions might seem towards the spectrum of OCD, which Gibson managed to capture impressively. A dialogue coach aided him, and Hall’s dialogue from the first season was his primary reference.
He entertained a continuous stream of Hall’s voice echoing inside his head, sort of a constant guide. With an earpiece, Gibson would saunter down streets, immersing himself in the soothing rhythm of Hall’s voice. It solidified the essence of Dexter within him.
Hall’s voice bears an astonishing quality. Gibson observed that depending on the context, Hall’s speech patterns would alter. His internal dialogues have a distinct tone. Similarly, his demeanor at a crime scene or with his sister Deb, or anywhere else would differ, offering unique subtleties to the character.
Every facet of his life, every interaction showcased a variable aspect of his personality. This compounded complexity turned out to be an engaging experience for Gibson: it exposed the varied layers to this naval-gazing character.
The last episode of ‘Dexter: Original Sin’ launches this Friday, treating fans to a closure of a thrilling narrative that has captivated the audience throughout the season. The expectation and buzz guarantee to make this an event worth waiting for.