Original Sin Casting Shuts Down Shared Universe Fan Theory

Now that Dexter: Original Sin is officially here, fans of the lovable serial killer of serial killers are getting to know the man just a litlte bit better. That includes getting to know the larger world and even the universe that surrounds Dexter and the people he loves, lives and works with. Its also seemingly killed off one of the most interesting fan theories that surrounded the original Showtime series. For years, devoted fans of Dexter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer speculated that the two shows might share a universe. Could Dexter Morgan’s Miami coexist with Buffy Summers’ Sunnydale? The idea of a shared universe added an intriguing layer for viewers who reveled in the dark humor and as well as, possible supernatural twists of these iconic series.

However, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s involvement in Dexter: Original Sin seems to close the book on this fan theory. Gellar, forever known as Buffy to many, appears in the revival as Dexter’s boss, an unmistakable departure from her previous role as the Slayer. Her presence effectively dismantles the idea of a connected universe. This isn’t a situation where Buffy is taking on an alias. This is a whole other character and it means that the fan theories, while fun, were never really on track. This meta-casting choice feels more like a nod to fans of both shows than a bridge between their narratives. While the theory may be debunked, it’s a testament to the passionate communities surrounding these series and the creative ways viewers find to connect their favorite stories.

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Dexter & Buffy’s Shared Universe Theory Explained

Thanks to a small detail that the devoted Dexter fans noticed was present in both shows, it’s possible that Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dexter exist in the same universe. Both franchises have a fast food chain called Doublemeat Palace – Buffy began working at a branch in Buffy season 6, and Angel Batista ate Doublemeat burgers in Dexter season 1. Since Doublemeat Palace doesn’t exist in the real world or any other fictional franchises, was seen as a hint that the shows take place in the same universe. As it turns out, restaurants tend to be. a go-to when it comes to hinting that shows occupy the same universe. The Arrowverse did this all the time with several shows in that universe constantly talking about characters eating at Big Belly Burger. It seems as though the writers decided to use that gag especially, though as it turns out that was more of a nod than a direct hat tip towards a shared universe.

In addition to the in-show ties, writer Drew Z. Greenberg worked on both series and likely intended it only as a reference, but it also opened the door to a horror-crossover that never happened. Of course for there to even be a chance that there was going to be a crossover, there would need to be something supernatural in Dexter. There wasn’t anything close to vampire or monster-like in the Showtime series and there is almost certainly not going to be any in Original Sin. Still, with the Doublemeat Palace included in Dexter, some fans held out hope that might be a twist eventually, even if it wasn’t explicit. Perhaps a mystery that led to an unusual killer.

The Two Shows Offer More Unofficial Crossovers

Sarah Michelle Gellar joining the Dexter universe actually means there are at two actresses with major roles in what is now an official franchise, that were also major players in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe. Julie Benz played Darla in both Buffy and Angel. She was a love interest of Angel, a centuries old vampire that was also a love interest of Buffy’s. In the early seasons of Buffy, Darla was a regular thorn in the slayer’s side. Later on she became a bigger problem for Angel when he moved from Sunnydale to Los Angeles.

In Dexter, Benz played Rita, the love interest of the titular serial killer’s serial killer. The fact that Rita existed at all should have made it clear that there was in fact, no shared universe. Though it’s possible that devoted fans of the show could point to magic spells that would make Rita forget that she was once Darla.

What is clear is that the addition of Sarah Michelle Gellar to Dexter: Original Sin shuts down the fan theory of a crossover for any but those fans who are willing to do some pretty impressive mental gymnastics. For those people, there will always be the possibility that Gellar’s character will suddenly give a monologue explaining that vampires are real and she used to be a slayer. But that seems as unlikely as possible with her addition to the new show.

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