The Dexter Revival Cast Its Big Villain With An A+ Actor

Dexter is headed back to television, and it's the hope of Michael C. Hall (and likely many of the killer drama's former viewers) that the limited TV return will rectify the panned finale that originally capped things off. With that goal in mind, the project is already off to a great start, as news broke that esteemed actor Clancy Brown will join the revival in a way that places him on the opposite end of the spectrum from Dexter Morgan.

A veteran of the MCU through both film and TV, Clancy Brown has joined Dexter to play the character of Kurt Caldwell, a man described as the "unofficial mayor" of the town of Iron Lake. TVLine reports the character can be described as a "true man of the people" who gained his reputation as a big-rig driver – a trait that runs in his family – and as the owner of a local truck stop. Friends of Kurt couldn't have a more loyal and willing ally, but anyone that crosses him or hurts someone he loves would be smart to get the hell out of Dodge. Or Iron Lake, in this case.

Clancy Brown Billions Showtime

Based on the little bit of information that's been revealed, it's hard to say just where Clancy Brown's character falls in relation to Dexter's past villains. It's unclear whether he'll get Dexter's attention because he's an actual criminal/murderer causing harm to others, or if he's a more of a prominent figure who starts to become a little too interested in Dexter's life in seclusion. We've seen Michael C. Hall's bloodthirsty anti-hero have to take action against both of those types of character, so we'll have to wait and see how things play out there.

One thing we do know is that Clancy Brown has had many notable roles as a villain in his career, and he'll definitely be a formidable opponent for Dexter Morgan. Brown is known for portraying Kurgan in the movie Highlander, as well as The Shawshank Redemption's Captain Hadley. He's no stranger to playing the villain roles with subtly, while also being capable of becoming a malicious demon in HBO's Carnivale. He's also quite well known for voicing one of the greatest villains of all time, Lex Luthor, in a number of animated projects. Regardless of how his character Kurt Caldwell is written, I have the utmost confidence that Brown is the right choice for Dexter's limited series.

Clancy Brown's casting feels like another positive indicator that this new Dexter story will rectify the low note the series went out on with its finale. For those who blocked the memory out, Dexter Morgan ended up faking his death in Miami, and the series closed with the reveal that he was rocking a lumberjack beard and living in a remote part of Oregon. That might have sounded like a good plan on paper – within the narrative, not the finale in general – but perhaps Dexter didn't account for the nosiness of those living in a small town whenever strangers randomly shack up in their community. To his credit, Dexter may have been able to keep locals off any scent of his past for quite a few years, as the limited TV series is said to pick up in the present.

The Dexter limited TV series is in development. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for more on its progress and the latest news in television and movies.

Mick Joest
Content Producer

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.