Dexter Season 8 Showrunner Explains Why They Chose That Controversial Ending

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Dexter season 8 showrunner Scott Buck explains why he chose that controversial ending for the original series. Showtime's flagship show began in 2006 centering on the Six Feet Under star Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan, a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department by day and serial killer who only preys on other murderers by night. Clyde Phillips was the original showrunner and left after season 4, which many fans believe was consistent with the series' decrease in the quality of writing.

In 2013, Dexter aired its infamous series finale “Remember the Monsters?” which saw the titular serial killer say goodbye to his beloved sister Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) and unplug her life support after she enters a permanent vegetative state. Realizing that he destroys everyone he loves, Dexter abandons Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski) and his son Harrison by faking his own death in Miami and relocating to Oregon to become a lumberjack. Needless to say, this puzzling ending was highly derided. Years later, the air of dissatisfaction among fans inspired Phillips and Hall to revive the show for one more season to give Dexter a proper sendoff. New Blood aired on Showtime in November 2021 and wrapped last month.

Related: All Dexter Retcons In New Blood

Now, in a new interview with Bloody Disgusting, season 8 showrunner Scott Buck finally explains why he chose that confounding conclusion for Dexter. The ending was actually born out of necessity for Buck, rather than a creative choice. Because Showtime was interested in bringing the character back, the network told him he was not allowed to kill off Dexter. Buck figured he couldn't get arrested either, because that would also nip any future spinoffs in the bud. Read what he had