Key Takeaways:
– Paramount+ unveils the first-look images of Patrick Gibson in the Dexter prequel, Dexter: Original Sin.
– The images stir severe backlash from fans, who claim Gibson looks the same age as Michael C. Hall in the original Dexter.
– Fans express disappointment on the premise of a “young” Dexter, leading to criticism on social media.
As Paramount+ jumpstarts the production of its Dexter prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin, the first-look images starkly manifest the cold reception from fans.
Introducing ‘Young' Dexter
The creative heads behind Dexter: Original Sin took to social media to introduce Patrick Gibson as the younger version of Dexter Morgan. The role, which was originally played by Michael C. Hall, garnered critical acclaim during the eight-season run of Dexter, which started in 2006.
Beyond the iconic Showtime original, Dexter: New Blood, a mini-series continuation, made its mark in 2021. Banking on the success of these two ventures, Paramount+ collaborated with Showtime to venture into the early life of the protagonist and reveal the nascent stages of the serial killer.
The upcoming prequel stars Patrick Gibson in the titular role and is set fifteen years before the events of the original series. The prequel aims to narrate the origin story of the young serial killer in the making.
The First Images Emerge
The first look image introduces us to younger versions of our favorite characters from the original show. Alongside Gibson, we see Christian Slater taking on the role of Harry Morgan and Molly Brown portraying Debra Morgan. Clyde Phillips, the man at the helm of Dexter, has returned to execute the same role for Dexter: Original Sin. The release date for this potentially thrilling venture stands yet to be announced.
Fans Unleash Backlash
While the intention behind the first-look images was to build anticipation, they sparked an unforeseen backlash as fans grappled with the appearance of Gibson's Dexter. Fans wasted no time stating that the actor looked the same age Michael C. Hall did in the original show, questioning the authenticity of the prequel. This led to a wave of criticism on social media platforms, shining a spotlight on an unanticipated PR nightmare for the creative team.
Many fans took to Twitter to express their grievances, bringing up the fact that Gibson, portraying a supposedly younger Dexter, seemed no less youthful than Hall did in the original series. This, according to fans, contradicts the idea of the prequel being about Dexter's younger years. As a result, the term “reboot” began to replace “prequel” in conversations around the show.
Ruining Expectations?
The widespread dissatisfaction stems from perceptions that the creative team failed to capture the essence of a younger Dexter. This was seen as a critical selling point for the show, as fans were eager to explore Dexter's evolution before the events of the original series. The first-look images seemingly thwarted these expectations, leaving fans reeling in disappointment.
While the criticism continues to roll in, Dexter and Dexter: New Blood are currently available to stream on Paramount+. As fans await the release of Dexter: Original Sin, it remains to be seen how the creative team responds to this unexpected obstacle.
To conclude, the backlash on social media platforms clearly suggests that the creative team behind Dexter: Original Sin needs to rethink their approach, especially considering the fan sentiments around the protagonist's age. The fans' anticipation around seeing a youthful depiction of Dexter marks a challenge for them, as they strive to meet these expectations in the highly awaited prequel series.
