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Season 1 – Dexter

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Dexter Oct 2006 Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Dexter Morgan is a Miami-based blood splatter expert who doesn't just solve murders; he commits them too. In fact, he's a serial killer -- but he only murders the guilty, so he feels justified with his lifestyle choices. His policewoman sister and his cop co-workers have no idea Dexter lives a double life; however, adoptive father Harry knows his secret, and does, in fact, help Dexter hone his "skills." It's a unique brand of justice for which charming Dexter feels a psychological hunger.
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Dexter — Season 1

Dexter — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Its dark but novel premise may be too grotesque for some, but Dexter is a compelling, elegantly crafted horror-drama.

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Critics Reviews

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Geordie Gray The Australian Mar 29, 2024
It looks amazing, the vivid colour grading and am-dram severed limbs are such a welcome reprieve from the serious grey sludge of modern prestige television. Go to Full Review Hannah Pool Guardian Apr 3, 2020
Dexter isn't just clever and original, it's also incredibly funny, which is quite an achievement given its gruesome subject matter. Go to Full Review Jim Shelley Guardian Jan 8, 2019
Everything is so heavily stylised, the emphasis is on irony rather than realism... Well it made me laugh. Go to Full Review Joel Keller Decider Jun 20, 2024
Dexter is about a killer, which means there’s a lot of blood and body parts. But it’s also a story that hadn’t really been told on TV at the time, and Michael C. Hall puts in a dynamic performance as the killer with something resembling a conscience. Go to Full Review Matt Paproth PopMatters Feb 5, 2019
Unlike many series, Dexter began pretty much fully-formed, with a clear sense of what a season feels like and of how it would approach characterization (cartoonish) and narrative (TENSE). Go to Full Review Liam Hoofe What Culture Jan 8, 2019
Hooked in its audience perfectly with some clever writing and excellent plot twists. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Deston B @Destooonnne69 Sep 15, 2026 This WHOLE show is peak. One of the best shows I’ve ever. I’d say like top 3 for me. The blood was so mmmm and satisfying. I loved Dexter killing. This show is pretty realistic with all the thoughts and forensics. I really wanted to be like Dexter. Help the world be better. It sucks that I might get caught since we live in a world full of technology now. Dexter shows realistic feelings and thoughts that we can relate to. Dexter is not a monster, but a hero. He kills people for what right and for the greater good. See more Georgia P @RT70958088 Sep 14, 2026 One of the best shows I’ve ever watched. It’s great right up until the end of the final season in Miami See more Esqueleto5678 T @RT15316404 Sep 12, 2026 The best season of Dexter. It has the best villain in the series, an impeccable pace and progression, along with an amazing cast. Every character is interesting and incredibly human; there are no filler characters, and everyone matters. It’s also the most consistent season of the entire show, with incredible episodes like "Born Free," one of the best episodes of the series. Everything about this season is perfect, and it has the biggest plot twist in the entire show. 10/10. See more J H @UpstateNYThriller Aug 10, 2026 10/10 Best TV series all time Season 1-4 perfect 5-8 lose a little bit of quality Ultimately Dexter is one of the best characters on screen. Best internal narration and dialogue of a ethical serial killer See more Zach W @alanwakeup25 Jul 8, 2026 So glad I found this show, my new favorite thing. See more Kenzie P @Kenzieluvsfilmz Jul 5, 2026 This season was perfect. A perfect intro to the character. In the later seasons, Dexters life got so complicated so it’s refreshing to come back to season one and see his “simple” life. However, I do think that Brian would have been the best villain for the finale, but I understand that they didn’t know the shows upcoming success. See more Read all reviews
Dexter — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Michael C. Hall

Dexter Morgan

Julie Benz

Rita Bennett

Jennifer Carpenter

Debra Morgan

Erik King

Sgt. James Doakes

James Remar

Harry Morgan

Luna Lauren Velez

Lt. Maria LaGuerta

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 1, 2006 Dexter Forensics analyst Dexter Morgan hides his life as a serial killer from his sister, co-workers and girlfriend. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 8, 2006 Crocodile A rival serial killer, dubbed the Ice Truck Killer by the media, privately contacts Dexter and reveals that he knows his grisly secret; meanwhile his sister, Debra, is transferred to the homicide section. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 15, 2006 The Popping Cherry Dexter must deal with a dismembered hooker found in a hockey rink while he stalks a recently released murderer who may kill again. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 22, 2006 Let's Give the Boy a Hand The Ice Truck Killer begins leaving victims' body parts at sites that relate to Dexter's childhood, forcing the forensics analyst to confront his own dark history. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 29, 2006 Love American Style The Ice Truck Killer's latest victim is alive; Dexter stalks a human-trafficker. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 5, 2006 Return to Sender The Ice Truck Killer leaves a surprise at a crime scene for Dexter. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 12, 2006 Circle of Friends The identity of the Ice Truck Killer does not sit well with Dexter; Rita's ex-husband returns. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 7, 2026 A forensics analyst moonlights as a serial killer. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 19, 2006 Shrink Wrap A high-profile woman's presumed suicide reveals a strange pattern of murders, leading Dexter to stalk a killer unlike any other. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 26, 2006 Father Knows Best Rita, Debra and Rudy join Dexter for a weekend away when he learns that his biological father has just passed away. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 3, 2006 Seeing Red The Ice Truck Killer leaves Dexter the most-awful crime scene imaginable, forcing him to confront a suppressed memory. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 10, 2006 Truth Be Told The Ice Truck Killer lures Dexter into a trap by kidnapping someone close to him. Details Episode 12 Aired Dec 17, 2006 Born Free Dexter follows clues in his rescue attempt; Rita's ex tries to convince her that Dexter is too dangerous. Details

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Dexter — Season 1

Dexter Dexter View more photos

Season Info

Director
Tony Goldwyn, Steve Shill, Michael Cuesta, Robert Lieberman, Keith Gordon
Screenwriter
Daniel Cerone, Drew Z. Greenberg, Melissa Rosenberg, Lauren Gussis, Kevin R. Maynard, Clyde Phillips, James Manos Jr., Tim Schlattmann
Network
Paramount+ with Showtime
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 1, 2006
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