Best TV Shows To Watch If You Miss Dexter

Dexter wrapped its original series run in 2013, with fans tuning in to see Michael C. Hall’s blood-splatter analyst by day, serial killer by night for what they thought would be the final time. The series began strongly with Dexter facing off against The Ice Truck Killer, whilst aiming to avoid suspicion from law enforcement himself. Fans of the series were treated to a psychological game of cat and mouse. Many fans believe the show reached its peak in season four with John Lithgow’s Trinity Killer, before meandering to its eventual conclusion.

Yet the show remained entertaining to its climax, even if it suffered from declining quality. Many fans have struggled to find another show quite like Dexter since it left TV screens. For audiences who still miss the dark anti-hero played to perfection by Michael C. Hall, these are the best shows to watch.

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6

Dexter: New Blood

The Sequel Series Set In New York City

Dexter: New Blood

Release Date

2021 – 2021

Network

Showtime

Showrunner

Clyde Phillips

Set a decade after faking his death in Miami, Dexter: New Blood sees Dexter Morgan living a new life in New York and attempting to live a peaceful life. However, when his son from his former life, Harrison, arrives, Dexter’s dark passenger returns and the killing begins.

The series returns to the familiar formula, with Dexter aiming to avoid capture for the murders he commits, looking to cover his tracks, whilst his son shows signs that he has his own dark passenger. Fans who love Michael C. Hall’s portrayal will find a lot to love in Dexter: New Blood and it’s definitely worth watching if you miss Dexter.

5

Dexter: Original Sin

Dexter’s Origin Story Narrated By Michael C. Hall

Dexter: Original Sin

Release Date

December 15, 2024

Network

Paramount+ with Showtime

The prequel series to Dexter, Dexter: Original Sin, details the origin story of Dexter, from his internship as a forensic technician at the Miami Metro Police Department. The series shows Dexter learning to embrace his dark passenger with the help of his father, Harry.

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The series explores the early years of Dexter’s journey with his dark passenger, and how his code came to define him prior to the original series. The series is also narrated by Dexter himself, Michael C. Hall, creating a great tie-in for fans who still miss Dexter.

4

Barry

A Black Comedy About A Contract Killer Looking To Leave His Past Behind

Barry centers on a hitman who becomes enamored with the world of acting, looking to leave the criminal underworld behind for a life of glitz and glamour. The series features a great performance from its star, Bill Hader, and features a cat-and-mouse aspect that will appeal to fans of Dexter.

Over the course of four seasons, fans are treated to escalating stakes, relationship drama, and a fair dose of brutal killings as the tension builds towards the endgame. It’s a hilarious and dark story of a man looking to change, but constantly getting drawn back into his dark past. For fans who miss Dexter, Barry’s blend of humor and murder could be a perfect choice.

3

Mindhunter

A Series Exploring The Minds Of Serial Killers

Mindhunter is a series from the mind of legendary director David Fincher. The series revolves around the formation of the behavioral science unit at Quantico, looking to examine how the minds work of spree and serial killers. Loosely based on the life of John E. Douglas, the series sees the protagonists, Holden Ford, Bill Tench, and psychologist Wendy Carr, as they aim to understand the minds of killers and apply this knowledge moving forward in criminal profiling.

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The two seasons see the FBI agents work on different cases, such as missing children in Atlanta, whilst also aiming to prove that their research is credible. The show also features exceptional performances across the board, with standouts coming from Damon Herriman and Cameron Britton, as Charles Manson and Ed Kemper respectively. For those who miss getting inside the mind of a killer like in Dexter, Mindhunter is a great option.

2

You

An Obsessive Killer Hiding In Plain Sight

You released its first season in 2018. Fans of the show were immediately hooked on the psychological thriller, wondering what Joe would do next. Joe becomes obsessed with different women throughout the series and uses social media and technology to become closer to them.

This, unfortunately, isn’t where Joe stops with his controlling tendencies, aiming to isolate these women and resorting to murder to stay in control. Many similarities can be drawn between both Joe and Dexter Morgan, with both men being killers. Only Dexter’s code separates him from being the cold-blooded obsessive killer seen in You.

1

Hannibal

The Cannibal Psychologist Provides An Excellent Character Study

When it comes to analyzing the mind of a killer, not many shows have done it better than Hannibal, which features an exceptional starring turn from Mads Mikkelsen as the famous psychologist, serial killer, and cannibal. The series dynamic hinges on the exchanges between Dr. Lecter and FBI criminal profiler Will Graham, as Hannibal aims to push Graham to become a killer.

The series has some excellent and brutal moments and expands on the history of the character made famous by Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal on the big screen. For fans who miss the cat-and-mouse aspect of Dexter, Hannibal is an exceptional show to sink their teeth into.

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