The first official trailer for Dexter: Resurrection includes the return of James Remar as Harry Morgan, Dexter’s adoptive father. Although Harry had died before the events of Dexter season 1, which first aired in 2006 on Showtime, he appeared throughout all eight seasons of the original Dexter series as a ghostly manifestation and dark spiritual guide that only Dexter could see. Harry’s ghostly presence was replaced by Dexter’s sister, Deb Morgan – who died in the divisive Dexter season 8 finale – in the first Dexter sequel series, New Blood. Resurrection is set to premiere on July 11, 2025, on Paramount+ with Showtime.

Harry Morgan was played by Christian Slater in the recently released Dexter prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin, which portrayed the character for the first time in series history outside a psychological imagining or a flashback. As shown in the Dexter: Resurrection official trailer, which premiered at CCXP 2025, James Remar will return as Dexter’s guide in the second sequel series in a concerned, fatherly role. “I urge you to be careful, son,” Harry tells Dexter with a cautionary tone. “I’m tired of being careful,” Dexter responds pointedly, suggesting an unhinged side of Dexter that has yet to be seen.

Resurrection Has To Explain Why Harry Looks So Much Older In Dexter’s Imagination

It’s Been 12 Years Since James Remar Last Played Harry

James Remar, who is 71 years old at the time of writing, has not portrayed Harry Morgan in over a decade, creating the unavoidable issue of him (and every other original cast member) aging. However, since Remar plays a figment of Dexter’s imagination, it makes his character’s appearance more tricky than those who are still living, like David Zayas’ returning Angel Batista. Dexter remembers Harry as he last saw him, which was when Dexter was roughly 20 years old (although the logistics of Original Sin, led by the 30-year-old Patrick Gibson as Dexter, somewhat alter this).

Regardless, Remar is clearly older in Resurrection than he was throughout the original Dexter series, even though, technically, his ghostly image shouldn’t be aging. Remar wasn’t de-aged at all based on the Dexter: Resurrection trailer, which is arguably for the best, especially since de-aging technology can be a big distraction. That said, it still doesn’t make much sense that he would look 20 years older now than he did back when James Remar first started appearing as Harry back in Dexter season 1. Christian Slater playing him in Original Sin also makes the appearance of Harry in visions more complicated, as both the current Dexter shows evolve.

Dexter: Resurrection Avoiding De-Aging James Remar As Harry Is Still The Right Decision

It’s Better Than Risking The De-Aging Technology Being A Major Distraction

While de-aging technology has come a long way over the years, having only Harry de-aged in Dexter: Resurrection likely would have been a pretty big distraction. It’s still unclear just how much Remar will be in Resurrection, especially since there are so many new characters, such as Uma Thurman’s Charley and Peter Dinklage’s Leon Prater. Dexter has always gotten away with some of the actors’ ages not aligning with how they’re supposed to look anyway, so this decision does track. For example, Michael C. Hall’s notorious “young Dexter” portrayal in flashbacks wearing a wig remains unforgettable.

Why Dexter Is Seeing Harry Again In Resurrection After Having Visions Of Deb In New Blood

Debra Represented Dexter’s Guilt In New Blood, While Harry Acts As A Dark Guide

Two of the biggest character question marks in Dexter: Resurrection are the apparent absences of Angela Bishop, Dexter’s New Blood girlfriend, and Debra. While Angela may pop up at some point in Resurrection, it’s less likely that Jennifer Carpenter’s Debra will return unless, for the first time in series history, Dexter will have two ghostly manifestations in the same season.

Resurrection showrunner Clyde Phillips may be putting Debra on ice for a surprise appearance, but her absence from the new trailer feels telling and intentional. Harry’s Code still lies at the heart of all Dexter’s killings, but Dexter: Resurrection is starting to feel like Dexter is ready to break some rules. This may play a major part in Harry’s return, as he tries to keep his son under control in the shadows of New York City.