Do You Need to Watch New Blood First? Dexter: Resurrection Sparks Accessibility Debate

Dexter: Resurrection, which premiered July 11 on Paramount+ with Showtime, brings Michael C. Hall back as TV's most notorious forensic analyst–serial killer, alongside Uma Thurman, Jack Alcott, David Zayas, Peter Dinklage, and others. Developed by Clyde Phillips, the series is officially a sequel to both Dexter and Dexter: New Blood. And that's where the first big debate around the revival begins: do you need to watch New Blood before diving into Resurrection?

A franchise with homework

Some fans say yes. "New Blood is functionally Dexter Season 9 while Resurrection is Season 10 — I'd watch that first," one commenter argued, pointing out that the prequel series Original Sin also feeds into the show's frame story. Another added that Resurrection flashes back to a key moment from New Blood, but without it you'd miss the backstory of Dexter's son, Harrison.

Others disagree. One viewer said,

"Honestly the recap in the first ep of Resurrection will catch you up decently. I saw that and don't feel like I've missed anything vital."

Another dismissed New Blood entirely:

"You can probably watch a summary on YouTube. New Blood was disappointing. Dexter didn't really act like Dexter."

Despite the accessibility debate, early reception to Resurrection has been surprisingly positive. One fan called it "the best Dexter since the first few seasons of the original. Possibly better." Another was more cautious:

"I expect the next two episodes to be a 9.5 or higher, then the final to be a 5.0. Hope I'm wrong lol."

Speculation is running wild about where the season is heading. Some believe Uma Thurman is secretly the New York Ripper. Others argue the killer might connect back to Jonah Mitchell, Trinity's son, after actor Brando Eaton teased involvement. One fan wrote, "I've seen a lot of people speculating the Ripper will be returned to in Season Two based on his voice sounding like Brando Eaton."