Sarah Michelle Gellar steps into a new role in ‘Dexter: Original Sin’

A fresh take on a beloved series

Sarah Michelle Gellar, known for her iconic role as Buffy Summers, is venturing into new territory with the upcoming prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin. Gellar will portray Tanya Martin, a forensics expert at the Miami Metro Police Department and Dexter Morgan’s new boss. This role marks a significant departure from her previous work, offering her a chance to explore a different facet of her acting abilities.

“I’m the scientist. You believe me as a scientist, right? I do science-y things,” Gellar humorously remarked during an interview at San Diego Comic-Con.

Breaking barriers in the 90s

Set in the 1990s, Dexter: Original Sin presents a unique challenge for Gellar. The era was not known for women leading departments, especially in fields like forensic science. Gellar’s character, Tanya Martin, is a trailblazer, navigating a male-dominated environment with resilience and determination.

“We’re playing in the 90s. I’m used to playing these formidable women, and she’s no exception. Women didn’t run departments in those jobs, especially not in Miami,” Gellar explained. “So you realize she’s gotta be pretty tough to hang with the guys. It’s actually my dream job!”

A nod to Buffy Summers

It’s hard not to draw parallels between Tanya Martin and Buffy Summers, another strong character Gellar brought to life. When the idea of Tanya being a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was mentioned, her co-stars Molly Brown and Patrick Gibson were thrilled. However, the timeline doesn’t quite match up, as Buffy premiered in 1997, while Dexter: Original Sin is set in 1991.

“Not ’til later because this is 91,” Gellar noted. “In the future — it depends on how long this goes! Then you’re really in the multi-verse!”

The resurgence of Dexter

The Dexter franchise has seen a significant resurgence, topping the Neilsen charts in recent months. The original series aired from 2006 to 2013, followed by Dexter: New Blood in 2021, which picked up a decade after the original finale. During Comic-Con, it was announced that another sequel series, Dexter: Resurrection, will debut in Summer 2025.

Michael C. Hall returns as narrator

Dexter: Original Sin will feature Michael C. Hall, the original Dexter, as the narrator. This prequel aims to provide deeper insights into the characters and events that shaped Dexter’s world.

“It definitely complements the original show but also gives more insight into those characters… even Dexter didn’t know certain things had happened prior to him being born,” said Christian Slater, who portrays Dexter’s father. “It is ‘Dexter,’ but we are in our own universe here so we don’t have to do an imitation of anybody. We’re free to bring to it what we want to bring to it in order to make it original.”

Gellar added with a smile, “It’s the ‘Dexter’ multi-verse.”

A new Dexter for a new era

Patrick Gibson, who plays the young Dexter, has been collaborating closely with Hall to bring his own unique touch to the role. Hall has fully endorsed Gibson’s interpretation, emphasizing that this version of Dexter is distinct from his own portrayal.

“This incarnation of Dexter exists before anything I did. It belongs to him — not that he needs me to tell him that,” Hall stated.

Production and release

Dexter: Original Sin is produced by Showtime Studios and Counterpart Studios. The series is set to air on Paramount+ With Showtime in December.

For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Dexter: Original Sin.

This new chapter in the Dexter saga promises to be a thrilling addition, offering fans a deeper understanding of the characters and the world they inhabit. With Sarah Michelle Gellar stepping into a pivotal role, the series is set to break new ground and captivate audiences once again.