Lock your doors and turn on your TVs, because Dexter Morgan is ready to make a killing on Netflix.

The Emmy-winning series Dexter is now streaming on Netflix in the US, almost two decades after he first stalked our screens. Over eight seasons airing from 2006-2013, the Michael C. Hall–led crime drama was known for delivering unexpected performances, killer surprises, and a whole lot of blood. And calling it a “crime drama” alone doesn’t do Dexter justice, because it could also be described as a dark comedy, psychological thriller, mystery noir, and police procedural — like its main character and arresting opening credits, it contains multitudes. Dexter earned four Emmys over the course of its run, while Hall was a five-time nominee for his chilling and unforgettable performance as Dexter Morgan, a full-time forensic analyst and part-time murderer.

Whether you’ve seen Dexter’s homicidal handiwork before or are meeting him for the first time, here’s everything you need to know about the series. 

Dan Littlejohn

What happens in Dexter?

Set in Miami, Dexter follows Dexter Morgan, a seemingly normal forensic blood spatter analyst atthe Miami Metro Police Department. The son of a late, decorated cop, Harry Morgan (James Remar), Dexter is joined in the family business by his younger sister, the foul-mouthed detective Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter). He also has a loving girlfriend in Rita Bennett (Julie Benz), a mother of two emerging from an abusive marriage. Nothing out of the ordinary here, right? Well, it’s worth noting that Dexter does spend his evenings living a double life as a vigilante serial killer — an impulse he rationalizes by (mostly) murdering detestable criminals who have managed to avoid arrest.

Using his day job skills and guided by his “dark passenger,” Dexter is able to determine “worthy” victims, and proceeds to be incredibly cautious and precise in his execution — often drugging them, utilizing plastic-wrapped kill rooms, carving up the bodies, and dropping them in the ocean. As you can imagine, this kind of work can bleed its way into other parts of his life, with Dexter in a constant struggle to keep his extracurricular activities a secret from Debra, Rita, his police colleagues, and the rest of Miami’s seemingly large list of criminals to dispose of.

Dan Littlejohn

Wait, what exactly is Dexter’s “dark passenger”?

The origins of Dexter’s deadly hobby can be traced to his tragic backstory. He was adopted by Harry after the officer discovered 3-year-old Dexter at the scene of his mother’s murder. Witnessing this gruesome crime forever changed the young boy, and Harry began seeing sociopathic tendencies in his son. He soon realized he needed to harness Dexter’s “dark passenger,” which is the term that is used for his internal lust for blood, stemming from his childhood trauma. Despite his own profession, Harry trained Dexter to hunt and kill murderers, by following lessons that Dexter deemed the “Code of Harry.”

At the start of the series, years have already passed since Harry died. But, in addition to flashbacks, the character appears to his son in visions, usually when Dexter is in search of a voice of reason or someone to talk through his latest killer plan.

Who stars on Dexter?

• Michael C. Hall (Six Feet Under) as Dexter Morgan, a forensics expert for the Miami Metro PD who moonlights as a serial killer
• Jennifer Carpenter (Limitless) as detective Debra Morgan, Dexter’s loyal and headstrong sister
• Julie Benz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Rita Bennett, Dexter’s kindhearted girlfriend
• James Remar (Sex and the City) as Harry Morgan, Dexter and Debra’s late father, who was a Miami homicide detective
• Erik King (Oz) as sergeant James Doakes, a fiery cop with a skeptical eye on Dexter
• Lauren Velez (Ugly Betty) as lieutenant Maria LaGuerta, the determined leader of the homicide unit
• David Zayas (Gotham) as the charming and good-natured detective Angel Batista
• C.S. Lee (Chuck) as Vince Masuka, Dexter’s lab partner, who is often quick with a joke or perverse comment
• Desmond Harrington (Gossip Girl) as detective Joey Quinn, a troubled newcomer to the squad
• Aimee Garcia (Lucifer) as Jamie Batista, Angel’s younger sister
• Geoff Pierson (24) as Thomas Matthews, a high-ranking Miami Metro PD official who was one of Harry’s closest friends

Everett Collection

Who else made notable Dexter appearances?

Across its eight seasons, Dexter was widely recognized for bringing in big-name actors for supporting roles and guest arcs. Among those to join the bloodbath were Keith Carradine, Jimmy Smits, Jonny Lee Miller, Julia Stiles, David Ramsey, Colin Hanks, Edward James Olmos, Yasiin Bey, Ray Stevenson, Yvonne Strahovski, Kenny Johnson, Margo Martindale, Charlotte Rampling, and, most memorably, John Lithgow in a chilling (and Emmy-winning) turn.

Is Dexter based on a book?

Yes! Author Jeff Lindsay’s 2004 novel, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, served as the initial inspiration for Dexter. In all, Lindsay would end up writing eight Dexter books, which have little overlap with subsequent seasons of the TV series.

Randy Tepper

Should you actually be rooting for Dexter?

That’s a good question! On one hand, he’s killing people, but, on the other hand, he’s killing really bad people. To Michael C. Hall, that’s the enduring struggle of Dexter.

“There’s a definite subversiveness to the show,” Hall shared during its initial run. “It’s inviting people to relish in the identification with someone who, on paper, is doing reprehensible things. I mean, the whole antihero notion has been talked about a lot and I do think the show operates in a gray area morally. I like that about it. I like that it encourages people to — hopefully, at least — ask themselves a question about who they’re rooting for and why they’re rooting for him. I think the show is there to be appreciated on many different levels.”

When can I stream Dexter on Netflix?

All eight seasons of Dexter are now streaming on Netflix in the US. Have yourself a killer good time.

Fool Me Once, Mindhunter, and Other Twisted Crime Dramas to Stream Now