A prequel to “Dexter” has been ordered at Showtime with the network also putting plans in place to expand on “Billions” with several spinoff series possible…
Showtime is expanding upon two of its most popular franchises.
The Paramount owned network has ordered a “Dexter” prequel titled “Dexter: Origins” straight to series, which will tell the origin story of the serial killer originally played by Michael C. Hall. The show will document Dexter’s upbringing as part of the Morgan household where he learned a “code” from his adopted father Harry, which helped him satiate his desire to kill but using those skills to lash out at criminals who deserved to die rather than innocent people.
Here’s the official synopsis from Showtime:
“Dexter: Origins” will dramatize young Dexter Morgan at the outset of his transition into the avenging serial killer he would become. Set in the Miami that was a hotbed of real serial killers of his time, the show will begin as Dexter graduates college to join Miami Metro, where he meets younger versions of many of the characters we came to know in the original Dexter. And, of course, the show will also focus on Dexter’s family, including a very-much-alive Harry and a very formidable, teenage Deb.”
In addition to ‘Dexter: Origins,” Showtime is also developing an ongoing series based on “Dexter: New Blood” that would follow Dexter Morgan’s son Harrison following the events in the previous show that was set up as a limited series at the time. In the conclusion of that show, Harrison shot and killed his own father after Dexter’s true identity was revealed and his past crimes were starting to catch up to him.
The new series would travel with Harrison to New York City as he struggles with his own true nature and whether or not he’s destined to follow in his father’s murderous footsteps.
There’s also talks ongoing about a third “Dexter” series that would center on backstories surrounding some of the original show’s most infamous characters such as “The Trinity Killer” played by John Lithgow. Original “Dexter” series creator Clyde Phillips is on board to oversee all of the various series in development at Showtime.
Meanwhile, several spinoff series based on “Billions” are also in the works with original creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien on board to develop the projects.
As it stands, four different “Billions” series are currently being developed including — “Billions: Miami,” which would be set in the world of private aviation, where the clientele believe the rules of society, government and gravity don’t apply to them, amidst the wealth, nightlife, contraband and the cryptocurrency that pulses through that city with Koppelman and Levien attached to write. Then there’s “Billions: London,” which operates in the world of U.K. finance.
Another series titled “Millions” would feature diverse 30-something financial mogul wannabes doing whatever it takes to make it in Manhattan; and finally a series called “Trillions,” which is a drama based on fictional stories of the richest people in the world.
“We remain fascinated by people whose ambition is boundless and who think the laws of civilization and nature don’t apply to them,” Koppelman and Levien said in a statement. “Miami is a vital and vibrant place the super-rich have begun taking over. We’re excited to show everyone what’s really going on down there.”
This is all part of a new strategic direction from Paramount executive Chris McCarthy, who took oversight at Showtime last year, with plans to double down on popular, existing franchises. The potential spinoff series would also be produced in house at Showtime, which gives them full ownership over the shows with the network already merging with the Paramount+ streaming service in the near future.
All of these new series — along with breakout hit show “Yellowjackets” — would give Showtime a robust offering to add to Paramount+, which already features a number of popular originals including several series created by Taylor Sheridan — best known as the creative force behind “Yellowstone.”
