Dexter/Characters

Dexter Morgan
"Played by Michael C Hall "I'm Dexter, and... I'm not sure what I am. I just know there's something dark in me.""

The show's protagonist. Dexter was adopted into his foster-family as a three-year old after. Growing up with sociopathic tendencies, Dexter was trained by his father to direct his urges to kill at those who "deserve it", and to never get caught. Works as a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro PD.

"Dexter Morgan: Blood. Sometimes it sets my teeth on edge, other times it helps me control the chaos."
 * Affably Evil: Bordering sometimes on Faux Affably Evil.
 * Afraid of Blood: Especially in the books. He expresses considerable unease about blood that isn't tidily confined, which makes his choice of career seem rather odd until you realise that his job effectively requires putting blood back into order and so could actually be therapeutic. Of course, given that, the aversion is understandable.


 * Ambiguously Evil: Subverted; he considers himself Necessarily Evil while in-universe opinions (and even out of universe) regarding his work as the BHB range from "Byronic Hero" to "Ax Crazy and in it For the Evulz". It should be noted that for him necessary evil doesn't mean "small evil in order to do great good." It means "small evil in order to control myself so I don't do even greater evil.
 * Animals Hate Him: Especially in the novels, where it is revealed that he have unsuccessfully tried to keep pets, which included a dog that kept barking and growling at him, and a turtle that would hide away from him in its shell to the point where it died of starvation.
 * Anti-Hero (Type V): Unless you consider him an....
 * Anti-Villain (Type I)
 * Badass: If there's a dirty cop, ex-special forces soldier, gigantic gangster, Nicaraguan death squad leader or fucking Jock Dexter can't kill he hasn't met them and killed them yet.
 * Badass Bookworm
 * Berserk Button: Some advice if you live in Miami: be gentle with Rita, and don't try to harm any children.
 * He also becomes very protective of Lumen.
 * Beware the Nice Ones
 * Can't Stand Them Can't Live Without Them: Dexter jokingly remarks "Can't live with her, can't kill her" about his sister Debra.
 * Control Freak
 * Creature of Habit: He's obsessed with daily rituals and routines of his and other peoples.
 * Creepy Monotone: His inner monologue.
 * Deadpan Snarker: Really really DEADpan.
 * Did I Just Say That Out Loud?
 * Disproportionate Retribution: Dexter IS the poster boy of this trope.
 * Even Evil Has Standards: Dexter kills only killers and pedophiles.
 * He brags of being a "very neat monster" and doesn't look too well on those who don't tidy their playground, whatever it may be.
 * He also doesn't like to tamper with evidence unless it's his own hide on the rope, and even then he half-heartedly does it. Makes you wonder why he went into forensics if he wasn't prepared to someday use the position to tamper with some incriminating evidence against himself.
 * Though this gets thrown out the window in season 6, where he becomes obsessed with taking down the Doomsday Killers himself and sabotages the police investigation (which incidentally makes his sister look very bad after she was just promoted to lieutenant) several times.
 * It doesn't help how the  season ended. If he had used his position to help instead of impede the investigation
 * And of course The Code.
 * The Fettered
 * First-Person Smartass
 * Heroic Sociopath
 * In the books. In the show he comes off as more of a Heroic Secret Schizoid with uncontrollable homicidal urges.
 * Hollywood Atheist: Seems like this is going to be a big theme of season 6. On the one hand it's averted because Dexter has a fairly realistic reason for non-belief (In his own words "it doesn't make sense"). On the other hand it's played straight because the show in general seems to take the view that anyone who isn't a serial killer should have religious beliefs of somekind whether they were raised with them or not because only an insane traumatized serial killer wouldn't believe in something. On yet another hand this is partially deconstructed as Dexter points out the hypocrisy of religious murderers and the main villains of season 6
 * Note the "something" in that statement; Dexter refuses to even state he believes in personal morality like most atheists, which is what freaks people out.
 * Played for Drama: In the sixth season,
 * He can't get a handle on the religious motivation behind the killings.
 * He makes an effort to learn about religion, because he wants to instill some sort of morality into his son. Not that he make a good teacher...
 * Hot Dad
 * Karma Houdini
 * Knife Nut: His routine involves a knife, but he sometimes chooses a more exotic weapon - axe, chainsaw, hammer...
 * Knight Templar Parent: Boarders on this at times.
 * Manipulative Bastard
 * Murder Is the Best Solution: His first thought when someone gets in his way is "can I kill them?"
 * Noble Demon
 * Papa Wolf
 * Pay Evil Unto Evil
 * Poetic Serial Killer: When particularly disgusted or angered by a killer, or when it's necessary, he kills them with a method that's relevant to their crime, such as, or
 * Principles Zealot: Deconstruction of the evil(ish) version of this trope, he knows without the Code he'd slip into the darkness completely
 * Psychotic Smirk: Fantastic things are done with lighting to make Michael C. Hall look as much like Light Yagami as possible when he turns on the evil grin.
 * Redheaded Hero
 * Serial Killer Killer
 * Stepford Smiler: He can be types A, B, and C all at the same time.
 * Trademark Favorite Food: Seems to have a fondness for steak.
 * Ubermensch: Dexter becomes this when he starts ignoring his "Dark Passenger" and the Code of Harry to start picking his own targets.
 * Unreliable Narrator: Dexter often talks about how he doesn't have any emotions. While his emotions are definitely subdued, it's pretty clear that's not the case. Just look at Papa Wolf above.
 * He's actually pretty reliable regarding everything but himself.
 * Villain Protagonist
 * Well-Intentioned Extremist: Subverted. His methods certainly are extreme and his target selection ensures that he's probably a net positive force in the universe, but he doesn't do it to make the world a better place, he does it because he needs to.
 * Why Did it Have To Be Jocks?
 * Wouldn't Hurt a Child: Dexter is fond of children, and tends to drop his usually calm attitude around those of his victims that preys on them. He even broke his code of only killing murders to get rid of a pedophile who was stalking Astor.
 * Wrong Genre Savvy: Dexter often projects his own experiences and motivations onto other killers and thus misinterprets their motivations and reactions. He expects the killer to play out one of the usual stereotypes and is blindsided when the killer actually does something completely different. This gets him in a lot of trouble and gets a lot of people killed.
 * Xanatos Speed Chess: He often has to work on his own crime scenes, and has to play merry hell with the chain of evidence.

Debra Morgan
Played by Jennifer Carpenter ""Ugh, a dress. I feel like a transvestite.""

Dexter's foul-mouthed, tomboyish foster-sister. Deb is a detective in Miami Metro's Homicide division. Appears in seasons 1-5, played by Jennifer Carpenter. Debra believes she truly knew her father, but is in reality completely unaware of the secrets he kept—especially concerning Dexter (who she sees as a true brother). Inspired by their fathers' legendary police career, Debra joined the police and desperately yearned to become a Homicide Detective, which she achieves during the series.

Without her, Dexter may be something far more evil than he is. In the first season she unknowingly dates Dexter's biological brother Brian who uses her to worm his way into Dexter's life. He then forces Dexter to chose between him and Deb. Unfortunately for him, Dexter chooses Deb. In season 2, the realization that Deb depends on him causes him to back out of turning himself in. Upon discovering Dexter's secret she goes down a dark path that ends with


 * Big Sister Instinct: She cares about Dexter just as much as he does about her, and has saved his life on several occasions.
 * Born Detective: The only one in the department apart from Doakes. Dexter makes it very clear that he is mainly free because his sister has a "blind spot" on him.
 * Broken Bird: She's broken in-series at the hands of  This is lampshaded heavily in her therapy sessions in series 6.
 * Being ignored by her father in favor of her adopted brother probably didn't help things.
 * Butt Monkey: Debra is treated very badly by several of her boyfriends and LaGuerta who abuses her with impunity.
 * Cast Incest: Ironic when you consider Really Gets Around below.
 * And gets really uncomfortable after Hall and Carpenter divorced, and have a scene discussing marriage in the next season.
 * Even more so now that.
 * Cluster F-Bomb: Hoo boy. Deb really likes swearing.
 * Cool Little Sis
 * Daddy's Girl: She felt Dexter was Harry's favourite. In reality, Harry was trying to help Dexter just as much for her sake as for Dexter's.
 * Dirty Harriet: Made pretty fun in the book, noted at least twice that victims' relatives expect a Dirty Harry, not Legally Blonde.
 * Fair Cop
 * Genre Blind: In the novels, but even moreso in the television series. To the point where some viewers would block their ear-holes.
 * Hope Spot: Gets one from and hangs on to it in desperation, while he's not even trying that hard to pretend anymore. It bombs, of course.
 * "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: She loses this with.
 * Jerk With a Heart of Gold: Despite constantly cursing at inappropriate times and being insensitive, she is a good sister and a loyal friend. She supports Angel when he's framed for rape in Season 2 and tries to offer Masuka good advice about his long-lost daughter in season 8.
 * The Ladette
 * Let Off by the Detective: In season 5, she allows Dexter and Lumen (while not knowing their identities) escape because she finds the barrel girl gang despicable.
 * Love Makes You Evil: She commits some truly immoral acts to keep Dexter out of trouble, even murdering LaGuerta for him.
 * Morality Pet: One of the few people Dexter truly loves in the early seasons as he shows her unconditional support.
 * Not So Different:, and previously made very clear what her thoughts about the case were.
 * Really Gets Around: She's quite the serial monogamist.
 * Lady Swearsalot
 * Tomboyish Ponytail: Her usual hair style when she's not working in Vice Squad.

Maria La Guerta
"Played by Lauren Velez "The operative word is "boss". Show some respect.""

Lieutenant Maria La Guerta is a tough, determined woman in command of the Homicide division who is not above making her subordinates feel intimidated.


 * Ambition Is Evil
 * : In the book.
 * Blackmail Is Such an Ugly Word
 * The Captain
 * Fair Cop
 * Gratuitous Spanish
 * Jerkass: Especially in season 5.
 * Manipulative Bitch: What she did to Pascal. She often shows more interest in politics than in case solving.
 * Married to the Job
 * Overly Long Name: María Esperanza del Alma LaGuerta.
 * : With a healthy dose of Character Development.
 * What Happened to the Mouse? / Aborted Arc: Her interest in Dexter.
 * What Happened to the Mouse? / Aborted Arc: Her interest in Dexter.

Angel Batista
"Played by David Zayas "Don't forget! Tell the universe what you really need!""

Angelo "Angel" Batista is a Detective in Miami Metro Police Department's Homicide Division. Batista works closely with Dexter during cases, often teaming up with him for his expert advice on serial killers, and considers himself Dexter's best friend. Batista is basically good-natured, with a dry sense of humor. He is also totally honest, at the request of his beloved father on his deathbed. Angel is also shown wearing a Trilby Hat almost all the time.


 * Actor Allusion: David Zayas was a Police Officer with the NYPD before becoming an actor.
 * BadassGoatee
 * Berserk Button: Saying nasty stuff about
 * Opening state you wish to sleep with his younger sister and be surprised if you still have all your teeth.
 * Beware the Nice Ones: He's a nice guy, but he's got a mean punch.
 * Big Brother Instinct: For his little sister, Jamie.
 * Demoted to Extra: In the book. Or to the C-List Fodder at least.
 * Flat Character: In the last books, we just see him once or twice at some crime scenes for the Running Gag "Angel No-Relation". It gets old, fast. He's also more grumpy and more of an asshole in the books.
 * Gratuitous Spanish
 * Life of the Party: According to La Guerta, at least.
 * Nice Guy: Probably the nicest person in the show, which admittedly is not saying a whole lot. He even supports Deb after she
 * Nice Hat
 * Overly Long Name: Ángel Juan Marcos Batista. (No relation)

James Doakes
"Played by Erik King "Surprise, motherfucker!""

James Doakes is a police detective with the rank of Sergeant serving as lead case investigator to Miami Metro PD's Homicide. Doakes had a killer's impulses which drove him to divorce his wife, confessing that if he had stayed with her he would have killed her. Holds a permanent grudge against Dexter, believing him to be suspicious and "creepy", which eventually leads to his downfall.


 * Anti-Hero: Type III or IV
 * Ultimately just an Anti-Villain in the books, as
 * Badass: The second most badass character, after Dexter
 * Bald Black Leader Guy
 * Bald of Awesome
 * The Big Guy
 * Butt Monkey: Poor guy has all kinds of shit happen to him.
 * Born Detective: Lampshaded by Dexter, who doesn't know why Doakes is the only cop not to like him.
 * Clear My Name:
 * Cluster F-Bomb: Got to be about once a sentence.
 * Dark and Troubled Past
 * Hero Antagonist
 * Hot-Blooded
 * Inspector Javert
 * Hot-Blooded
 * Inspector Javert

Vince Masuka
"Played by CS Lee "Now you're dealing with science and science is one cold-hearted bitch with a fourteen inch strap-on.""

Vince is the Miami Metro Police lead forensic investigator and works alongside Dexter in the lab and in crime scenes. He often cracks innuendo to the rest of the team, and harbors decidedly unrequited feelings for Debra. He is portrayed as obsessed with sex—the kinkier the better—and is not shy about propositioning every woman he meets.


 * Asian and Nerdy: Frequently referred to as lab-geek
 * Bunny Ears Lawyer: He might be an unbelievable sleaze, but Vince is also an extremely talented investigator, which might help explain why he hasn't been fired for conduct.
 * Butt Monkey
 * Chivalrous Pervert
 * Extroverted Nerd: A grown-up version.
 * Kavorka Man: He actually does get women, despite how pathetic his game seems in the workplace.
 * Loveable Sex Maniac: Probably why he hasn't been hit with sexual harassment complaints.
 * Plucky Comic Relief

Joseph "Joey" Quinn
"Played by Desmond Harrington "This Dexter guy. First of all who the fuck is named Dexter? Did his parents know he was going to be a fucking egghead?""

Joseph "Joey" Quinn is a detective who transferred to the Homicide division after being in narcotics before Season 3. He has a bad habit of leaping to conclusions from first impressions of the crime scene, as well as becoming hostile towards anyone who tries to correct him. Quinn takes a liking to Debra Morgan but, like Doakes before him, mistrusts Dexter.


 * Anti-Hero
 * Bald of Awesome
 * Brooklyn Rage
 * Chick Magnet: Two hours undercover in a latino night club, six girls. One can understand why.
 * Cowboy Cop
 * Despair Event Horizon: When
 * Dirty Cop
 * Good Is Not Nice
 * Hero Antagonist
 * Hot-Blooded
 * Jerkass
 * Jerk with a Heart of Gold
 * Sex Equals Love: Quinn falls in love and proposes to Deb, while their relationship pretty much consisted of nothing more than sex. Deb even chews him out about the sudden proposal.
 * Suspiciously Similar Substitute: He's brought in to replace Doakes, and as of mid-season 5, is following the exact same path.
 * Took a Level in Jerkass: He went from jerk with a heart of gold to just simply jerk in Season 6. List including bringing a stripper to his Ex's party, sleeping during work, sleeping with a potential witness, blaming others for his screw ups, drunkenly proposing to strippers, and telling Batista that he wants to have sex with his younger sister. How he isn't fired yet is a complete mystery.

Harry Morgan
"Played by James Remar "As a cop, I only fire my weapon to save a life – that's a code I live by. Killing must serve a purpose. Otherwise, it's just plain murder.""

Adoptive father of Dexter and father of Deb, Harry Morgan is ten years deceased when the series begins. A renowned detective in his day, Morgan became frustrated at the perceived lack of justice in the system. Attempting to channel Dexter's sociopathy into a useful outlet - and to avoid him getting caught - he trains Dexter to become the perfect killer. Initially portrayed in flashbacks, he later manifests in Dexter's imagination, reminding Dexter what Harry taught him.


 * Broken Ace
 * Broken Pedestal: He's got a lot of darkness in him.
 * Dead Person Conversation
 * : Upon walking in on Dexter sawing up the body of a pimp he had been hunting and seeing that his training had Gone Horribly Right.
 * The Mentor
 * My God, What Have I Done?
 * Pay Evil Unto Evil
 * Posthumous Character
 * Scare'Em Straight

Tom Matthews
"Played by Geoff Pierson "...you haven't seen my true colors, Maria. But you're about to.""

A high-ranking Miami Metro PD police official and LaGuerta’s immediate superior. He was an old friend of Harry Morgan, and therefore has a soft spot for Debra. He’s also a political animal not unlike LaGuerta; however, he frequently clashes with her.


 * A Father to His Men: Appears to be, at first...
 * Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: To La Guerta at least. He is protective of Debra and Dexter.
 * Da Chief
 * Deadpan Snarker
 * Dirty Old Man: In secret.

Ellen Wolf
"Played by Anne Ramsey"

A defense attorney and Miguel Prado's main rival.


 * Amoral Attorney: Subverted. She's not as straight-up charming as Miguel, but she has the integrity and morals that Miguel makes such a show of pretending to have.
 * Hello, Attorney!
 * Jerk with a Heart of Gold
 * Mrs. Robinson

Barbara Gianna
"Played by Kristen Dattilo"

A detective within Miami Metro's Vice Division. She meets Angel while working undercover, and later dates him.


 * Fair Cop
 * The Ladette

Cira Manzon
"Played by April L Hernandez"

A competent young officer who Debra takes under her wing.


 * Bitch in Sheep's Clothing
 * Fair Cop
 * Wide-Eyed Idealist

Ryan Chambers
"Played by Brea Grant "I love homicide...I've always been fascinated by people who do bad things.""

A sexy new intern in the Forensics Department.


 * Distracted by the Sexy: Everyone's reaction to her.
 * Hello, Nurse!
 * Hot Scientist
 * Nightmare Fetishist: Although it's possible this was only just an act in order to get pieces of evidence from famous cases to sell online.
 * Ms. Fanservice: Is setting a new record.

Mike Anderson
"Played by Billy Brown"

A transfer detective from Chicago brought in to fill Debra's now-vacant detective slot.


 * Badass
 * Happily Married
 * Noble Bigot with a Badge
 * Suspiciously Similar Substitute: to Doakes.

Rita Bennett
"Played by Julie Benz "Deb must be a mess. I mean, falling for a serial killer?""

Dexter's girlfriend and later wife. Rita is introduced as a damaged woman who received abuse from her ex-husband Paul, and is grateful for Dexter to give her support. Dexter also helps to look after her children, Astor and Cody.


 * Abusive Parents: Her mother was overly judgmental, and verbally and emotionally abusive.
 * The Beard: Unknowingly started off as this for Dexter. No longer applies after he grows to genuinely care for her and the kids.
 * Betty and Veronica: With Lila.
 * Broken Bird
 * Calling the Old Man Out: To her mother.
 * Horrible Judge of Character
 * Morality Pet: To Dexter.
 * The Pollyanna
 * Rape as Backstory: Her ex-boyfriend was a crack addict who repeatedly beat and raped her.
 * Took a Level in Badass:
 * Beating up Paul with a baseball bat after he tries to rape her following his release from prison.
 * Finally standing up to her overly judgmental, bordering on abusive, mother and kicking her out of Rita's house.
 * Took a Level in Badass:
 * Beating up Paul with a baseball bat after he tries to rape her following his release from prison.
 * Finally standing up to her overly judgmental, bordering on abusive, mother and kicking her out of Rita's house.
 * Finally standing up to her overly judgmental, bordering on abusive, mother and kicking her out of Rita's house.

Astor Bennett
"Played by Christina Robinson"


 * Bratty Teenage Daughter: During season four.
 * Calling the Old Man Out: To Dexter in "My Bad" and "Teenage Wasteland".
 * Little Miss Snarker
 * Not So Different: From Dexter, it turns out. She did a pretty bad thing, but to save her friend.

Cody Bennett
"Played by Daniel Goldman & Preston Bailey"


 * Cheerful Child
 * Not So Different: In the books, he's got his own Dark Passenger and Dexter's teaching him the Code.
 * The Quiet One: in the books.

Harrison Morgan
"Played by Luke & Evan Kruntchev"


 * For the record, he's around 6.

Paul Bennett
"Played by Mark Pellegrino"


 * Blonde Guys Are Evil
 * Bullying a Dragon: Tries to intimidate Dexter. Doesn't work.
 * Domestic Abuser
 * Jerkass
 * Hair-Trigger Temper
 * Morality Pet: Astor and Cody. They are both basicly the only good thing he ever did.
 * Not So Different: With Dexter, occasionally.

Anton Briggs
"Played by David Ramsey"


 * Butt Monkey
 * Nice Guy
 * The Informant: Somewhat subverted; he’s a nice guy who just got in some trouble.

Christine Hill
"Played by Courtney Ford"

An attractive young reporter who forms a relationship with Quinn while pumping him for information.


 * Broken Bird
 * Hot Scoop
 * Well Done Daughter Girl:
 * Hot Scoop
 * Well Done Daughter Girl:

Neil Perry
"Played by Sam Witwer"

A computer analyst who is arrested a likely suspect in the Ice Truck Killer case.


 * Big Bad Wannabe
 * Dirty Coward
 * Smug Snake

Frank Lundy
"Played by Keith Carradine "People like us don't really belong, we just pass through.""

A legendary FBI agent with quirky habits and finely attuned senses when it comes to finding serial killers. He begins a relationship with Debra.


 * Bunny Ears Lawyer
 * Cloudcuckoolander
 * Cool Old Guy
 * Deadpan Snarker
 * Hero Antagonist
 * May–December Romance:
 * The Profiler
 * Put on a Bus
 * Schedule Fanatic
 * Worthy Opponent: Dexter explicitly calls him one,.
 * Worthy Opponent: Dexter explicitly calls him one,.

Lumen Pierce
"Played by Julia Stiles "I look different don't I? Without my hands tied behind my back.""

A woman whom Dexter inadvertently rescues from the house of one of his victims in season 5 after she sees him in the act. At first frightened and mistrustful of Dexter and traumatized by her brutal kidnapping and torture, Lumen later convinces Dexter to aid her in tracking down and killing what remains of the group of men who brutalized her. She is played by Julia Stiles.


 * Birds of a Feather: "It is a law of nature that elements will want to unify. Single cells thrash about in a petri dish until they coalesce."
 * Broken Bird: And how.
 * Combat Pragmatist: When your a slight women with no combat training you have to be.
 * Gut Feeling: Has this about Dan Mendell.
 * Knife Nut: "Lookit those!"
 * Meaningful Name
 * Outlaw Couple: Lampshaded by Masuka in 5x11, who compares her and Dexter to Bonnie and Clyde. This does not sit well with Dexter.
 * Rape and Revenge
 * Runaway Bride: why she moved to Miami.
 * Scars Are Forever: Her back has several horrible scars from her torture. They don't look like they'll ever heal.
 * Serial Killer: In a saner Aileen Wuornos kind of way.
 * Took a Level in Badass
 * Serial Killer: In a saner Aileen Wuornos kind of way.
 * Took a Level in Badass

Brother Sam AKA Samuel Wright
"Played by Mos "I'm not afraid of you son...and damn sure ain't afraid to die. I know what's waiting for me on the other side, do you?""

Once on Death Row, Samuel Wright is now a reformed man of God...or so he says. Miami Metro are still highly suspicious of him, and don't know if he's honestly changed or has different intentions.


 * The Atoner
 * Badass: He faces down three men who all intend to kill him with not a trace of fear.
 * Badass Pacifist: He stands still and simply tells the above attackers that he's not afraid to die.
 * Badass Preacher
 * Good Is Not Nice: Certainly not all of the time. He once killed a man, and outlets his violent tendencies on a punchbag.
 * Good Shepherd: He's set up a garage where he employs ex-cons, and tries to help them better themselves.
 * Heel Faith Turn: Surprising even Dexter who had plans for him.
 * Magical Negro
 * Not So Different: Dexter recognizes that Brother Sam had a Dark Passenger. It's Sam's ability to find the light within his own Darkness that intrigues him.
 * Reformed but Rejected: The police don't trust him in the slightest, but his small community respect him and rely on him heavily.
 * Reformed Criminal
 * Odd Friendship: To the rest of Dexters social circle, his friendship with a former legendary gangbanger known for his body count would seem .. Odd. Unknown to them the two have a lot more in common then they know.
 * Turn the Other Cheek: Tries to get Dexter to do this in regards to  Dexter tried to respect his friends wishes, then  had to start laughing about getting away with it.
 * Turn the Other Cheek: Tries to get Dexter to do this in regards to  Dexter tried to respect his friends wishes, then  had to start laughing about getting away with it.

Jamie Batista
"Played by Aimee Garcia"

Angel's baby sister and Harrison's new nanny.


 * The Cutie
 * Ms. Fanservice

AKA The Ice Truck Killer
"Played by "You can't be a killer and a hero. It doesn't work that way!""

The Big Bad and Dexter's main nemesis of the first season. The Ice Truck Killer takes hookers, kills them and using a freezer, starting with an ice truck hence the name, drains their blood and chops them into pieces before putting them on display for all to see. Throughout the entirety of the first season he leaves clues that he knows only Dexter would find as a game of cat n' mouse is played.


 * Ax Crazy
 * Criminal Mind Games: Plays this with Dexter for the entire season.
 * And
 * : The most famous and obvious,.
 * Hope Spot: To Debra. Worst thing is, he's not even trying to pretend anymore, he's just Sure Why Not.
 * "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: Oh so subverted.
 * Manipulative Bastard
 * The Sociopath
 * Stepford Smiler: In the book, mostly in the series too. Taken Up to Eleven when he
 * Yes, him. He Yes, it's as awesome as it sounds.
 * Manipulative Bastard
 * The Sociopath
 * Stepford Smiler: In the book, mostly in the series too. Taken Up to Eleven when he
 * Yes, him. He Yes, it's as awesome as it sounds.
 * The Sociopath
 * Stepford Smiler: In the book, mostly in the series too. Taken Up to Eleven when he
 * Yes, him. He Yes, it's as awesome as it sounds.
 * Yes, him. He Yes, it's as awesome as it sounds.

Lila West/Tourney
"Played by Jaime Murray "You haven't got the first idea who you are, have you? Dexter, meet Dexter. I'm gonna help the two of you get to know each other.""

Dexter's temporary Love Interest during season 2. Lila become Dexter's sponsor when he enrols in NA meetings as his alibi. She learns of his "addiction" early on, finds a connection between herself and Dexter and later professes to be his soulmate.


 * Betty and Veronica
 * Evil Brit
 * Evil Is Sexy: Oh, so sexy.
 * Femme Fatale
 * Foot Focus: While riding in Dexter's car she hangs her bare feet out the passenger window.
 * Manic Pixie Dream Girl
 * Manipulative Bitch
 * Ms. Fanservice: "Pardon my tits".
 * Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: Her complexion is remarked on variously.
 * Wounded Gazelle Gambit: and then
 * Yandere
 * Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: Her complexion is remarked on variously.
 * Wounded Gazelle Gambit: and then
 * Yandere

Miguel Prado
"Played by Jimmy Smits "I'll do what I want, when I want, to whomever I want! Count on it!""

Assistant District Attorney who befriends Dexter in season 3 after. This leads to an odd partnership, however


 * Abusive Parents: His father really messed up him and his brothers.
 * Aloof Big Brother: His brother Ramon is a hothead and initially appears to be a Jerkass, while Miguel is the calm level-headed success story. Later, it turns out that this was an image Miguel created himself. He was always a liar trying to make himself appear better than he was.
 * Amoral Attorney
 * Blackmail Is Such an Ugly Word
 * Consummate Liar: He is a wonderful monument of bullshit.
 * Hair-Trigger Temper
 * He Who Fights Monsters
 * Hey, It's That Guy!: Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan
 * Knight Templar
 * Narcissist
 * The One That Got Away: For Maria.
 * Playing Against Type: Who knew Jimmy Smits could be so scary?
 * Sanity Slippage: Most apparant when
 * Villain with Good Publicity
 * Well-Intentioned Extremist: At first.
 * Villain with Good Publicity
 * Well-Intentioned Extremist: At first.
 * Well-Intentioned Extremist: At first.

Jorge Orozco AKA George Washington King
"Played by Jesse Borrego"

A Nicaraguan Serial Killer and supporting antagonist in season three.


 * Cold-Blooded Torture
 * The Dreaded
 * Laser-Guided Karma
 * Torture Technician
 * Torture Technician

Arthur Mitchell AKA The Trinity Killer
"Played by John Lithgow "It's already over.""

The Big Bad of season 4, a mysterious, malevolent figure who kills in threes, referred to by Dexter as "the most successful serial killer to ever get away with it". Dexter tracks down Trinity only to find that  and realizes that he may be able to learn a thing or two from him. He is played with terrifying haminess by John Lithgow.


 * Abusive Parents: Had them and becomes one.
 * Ax Crazy
 * Berserker Tears: During the  kill in his cycle, beating a father of two to death.
 * Cute and Psycho: It's the dark side we see first, and then the happy married life...and then it's played terrifyingly straight.
 * Death Seeker
 * Domestic Abuser
 * Drop the Hammer: One of his kills is to murder a man with a hammer..
 * Evil Counterpart: To Lundy at first, but then it's averted. Lundy initially sees him as a fellow 'lone wolf', but Arthur is actually a family man and pillar of the community. He's definitely a counterpart to Dexter, another serial killer with a family.
 * Evil Is Hammy: The hammiest of all of the Dexter villains.
 * It's a toss-up between him and Migeul.
 * Family Values Villain: In his public life.
 * Freudian Excuse
 * Full-Frontal Assault
 * Madness Mantra: "It's already over...it's already over..."
 * Mean Character, Nice Actor: One of the sweetest actors you'll ever meet and a dedicated author and singer for children playing a Complete Monster serial killer who.
 * Parental Incest: Heavily suggested towards his daughter, who seemed to treat as a substitute for his sister who died when he startled her as he peeked on her in the shower.
 * Psychopathic Manchild
 * Sanity Slippage: After successfully getting away with hundreds of murders over many decades, it seems he's finally starting to crack. When Dexter meets up, he's suicidal and begins blurting out his horrible past to complete strangers.
 * The Sociopath
 * Theme Serial Killer
 * The Sociopath
 * Theme Serial Killer

Stan Liddy
"Played by Peter Weller "You fuck with the bull, you get the horn.""

A Dirty Cop who is recruited by Quinn to investigate Dexter. However, he quickly gets out of control…


 * Deadpan Snarker
 * Dirty Cop
 * The Dragon: to Quinn, at first. Then Quinn tries to back out, and he becomes...
 * Dragon Ascendant
 * Wild Card
 * Wild Card

Professor James Geller
"Played by Edward James Olmos "Is that what you want, Travis? To hurt me? You see how I suffer for your sins!""

A Professor of Religious Studies who also happens to be a serial killer and Evil Mentor to one of his students.


 * Affably Evil
 * Big Bad
 * Dirty Old Man: Has a taste for younger women.
 * Evil Counterpart: To
 * Evil Mentor
 * Evil Teacher
 * Expy: He takes some inspiration from John Doe of Se7en, elaborately staging his murders to conform to religious imagery.
 * Four Eyes, Zero Soul
 * Knight Templar: He seems to be this, but the recent episode had a teacher assistant of his reveal that he just likes to stir up trouble, so whether he really believes it or not is up in the air.
 * Manipulative Bastard: He harms himself when Travis doesn't follow orders, to better emotionally manipulate him.
 * Omnicidal Maniac
 * Poetic Serial Killer
 * Theme Serial Killer
 * Omnicidal Maniac
 * Poetic Serial Killer
 * Theme Serial Killer

Travis Marshall
"Played by Colin Hanks "You're not going anywhere until you've repented for your sins.""

A student of Professor James Geller and his serial killer protege.


 * Anti-Villain: He doesn't want to kill anybody. Unfortunately for him,
 * Bastard Understudy
 * The Dragon: To Professor Gellar
 * Evil Counterpart: Like Dexter he has a sister that he cares about more than anyone else, and he's guided by an elder mentor
 * And then It Got Worse for him.
 * Pet the Dog: He genuinely loves his sister.
 * The Dragon: To Professor Gellar
 * Evil Counterpart: Like Dexter he has a sister that he cares about more than anyone else, and he's guided by an elder mentor
 * And then It Got Worse for him.
 * Pet the Dog: He genuinely loves his sister.
 * And then It Got Worse for him.
 * Pet the Dog: He genuinely loves his sister.
 * Pet the Dog: He genuinely loves his sister.
 * Pet the Dog: He genuinely loves his sister.

Jordan Chase AKA Eugene Greer
"Played by Jonny Lee Miller "Tick, tick, tick, that´s the sound of your life running out.""

A charismatic and popular motivational speaker, known for his 'Take It!' approach to life. He's also a demented sociopath and ringleader of the Barrel Girl Gang, a group of serial rapists.


 * The Chessmaster
 * Control Freak
 * Criminal Mind Games
 * Devil in Plain Sight: One hundred times more evil and famous than Dexter.
 * Faux Affably Evil
 * Formerly Fat
 * For the Evulz
 * Freudian Excuse: Subverted; it's vaguely hinted that his actions have something to do with him being overweight as a kid, but it's oddly never brought up again.
 * Hates Being Touched
 * Hey, It's That Guy!: It's Sick Boy!
 * Manipulative Bastard
 * Meaningful Rename: The site of the first time he manipulated the Gang into raping a woman, where he developed his Take It philosophy? Camp River Jordan.
 * Poisonous Friend: Without his influence, the others (with the possible exception of Cole) probably wouldn't have gone on to become rapist superfriends. Of course, this doesn't mean they're any less monstrous. Not to mention that Jordan doesn't seem to like any of them, being perfectly willing to sell them out. More than likely, he gets off on having total mental control over these people.
 * Rousing Speech
 * The Sociopath
 * Villain with Good Publicity
 * Sharp-Dressed Man
 * Strange Minds Think Alike: Has the creepy and funny habit of finishing Dexter's mental sentances.

Cole Harmon
"Played by Chris Vance"

The loyal head of security for Jordan Chase.


 * Cold-Blooded Torture: In addition to being a rapist, he enjoyed torturing his victims. Lumen states that he gave her her scars.
 * Creepy Souvenir: It doesn't get much creepier than recording the gang rapes you participated in.
 * Defiant to the End
 * Hey, It's That Guy!: It's James Whistler
 * The Dragon: to Jordan.
 * Sharp-Dressed Man
 * Undying Loyalty: Even though Jordan doesn't seem to like him much, he's crazily loyal to the guy. He almost seems to worship him, considering the fact he has framed pictures of Chase in his hotel room.

Boyd Fowler
"Played by Sean Hatosy"

The 'cleaner' for the Barrel Girl Gang, he works in dead animal pick-up and is responsible for disposing of the gang's victims.


 * Cleanup Crew
 * Smarter Than You Look

Dan Mendell
"Played by Sean O’Bryan"

A dentist and scout for the group, luring the women into the gang's clutches.


 * Alliterative Name: Not actually, but once it's revealed he's a dentist, Dexter, Lumen, and Debra all call him "Dan the Dentist."
 * Country Matters: Calls Lumen this..
 * Depraved Dentist
 * Courtesy of Dexter, after he called Lumen a cunt.

Alex Tilden
"Played by Scott Grimes"

A banker and weak-willed flunky of Jordan Chase.


 * Ain't Too Proud to Beg
 * Creepy Souvenir: He collects pieces of jewelry from his victims. Lumen is able to identify him as one of her attackers by recognizing a piece of her jewelry that he has.
 * Evil Redhead
 * Unwitting Pawn: In the end, this was all he amounted to as far as Jordan was concerned.