There’s no shortage of fans of Showtime’s Dexter series, mainly because it was a brilliant piece of television with a very intriguing and charismatic leading character played perfectly by Michael C. Hall. The original series ended its run after its eighth season in 2013 with a finale that was widely by fans and critics, and that was the reason that the series came back for a single season in 2021 titled Dexter: New Blood but its finale also divided fans. So, if you also miss the series here are some more shows you should watch next.
A Killer Paradox (Netflix)
If you liked the moral ambiguity of our protagonist in Dexter, then you will love Lee Tang in A Killer Paradox. Based on a Naver webtoon of the same name by Kkomabi, the Netflix Korean thriller series tells the story of an ordinary part-time worker who accidentally kills a man who was abusing him. Still, he later finds out that the person he killed was a serial killer and after that, he quickly learns that he can discern evil in people, and that prompts him to kill them. He is not clear, though, as a relentless cop is constantly in his chase.
Prodigal Son (Max & Prime Video Add-On)
If you loved the dark comedy and crime thriller aspect of Dexter, then Prodigal Son is probably your cup of tea. Created by Chris Fedak and Sam Sklaver, the Fox series revolves around a problematic FBI profiler, who gets fired from his job and gets hired by the NYPD to catch killers. The only problem is that he is not psychologically sound as his father was one of the most notorious serial killers, who was caught because of him. Prodigal Son stars Tom Payne and Michael Sheen in the lead roles with Lou Diamond Phillips, Halston Sage, and Aurora Perrineau starring in supporting roles.
The Following (Rent on Prime Video)
Starring Kevin Bacon in the lead role of former FBI agent Ryan Hardy, the Fox series titled The Following follows the story of Ryan as he tries to catch a notorious serial killer once again when he escapes from death row and starts killing people with his army of followers. Created by Kevin Williamson, The Following also stars James Purefoy, Natalie Zea, Shawn Ashmore, and Valorie Curry. If you loved the story following serial killers and morally gray characters in Dexter, then you will love The Following even though it was cut short as it was canceled only after three seasons.
You (Netflix)
When your protagonist thinks that he is doing good in the world even though he is just killing people, bad or otherwise? If you are wondering that this is the plot of Dexter, then you would be right but it is also the plot of Netflix’s You and it revolves around Joe Goldberg, a seemingly ordinary bookstore manager who falls in love with a girl at the first site and is willing to do anything to get her. Social media and his stalking skills help him in this extraordinarily creepy pursuit of love. Created by Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble, You stars Penn Badgley in the lead role of Joe Goldberg with Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti, Jenna Ortega, and Shay Mitchell.
The Fall (Prime Video & Pluto TV)
The Fall is a British crime thriller series created by Allan Cubitt, and while it doesn’t have themes of vigilantism like Dexter. It does have the same cat-and-mouse chase aspect of the Showtime series. Set in Northern Island, the BBC Two series revolves around a British detective who is ordered to go to Belfast and solve a high-profile murder. As she tries to solve the murder, she realizes that the murder is the work of a serial killer. Starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan in the lead roles with Colin Morgan, Aisling Franciosi, Bronagh Waugh, and Emmett J. Scanlan starring in supporting roles.
Hannibal (Prime Video, AMC+, Pluto TV & Tubi)
Hannibal is one of the best and most intense psychological crime thrillers you will ever see. Based on the characters by Thomas Harris, the NBC series revolves around an FBI profiler Will Graham, who is called back into the field to solve perplexing murders. To stay psychologically healthy he enlists the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, and the two form a deep bond while trying to catch killers but what Will doesn’t know is that Hannibal is a serial killer himself. Starring Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen in the lead roles with Laurence Fishburne, Caroline Dhavernas, Kacey Rohl, and Gillian Anderson starring in supporting roles.
Vigilante (Hulu)
If you loved the plot of Dexter and just wanted a protagonist who was a bit different then you should check out the Korean drama titled Vigilante. Based on a Naver webtoon of the same name by Kim Gyu-sam, the Disney+ series revolves around a police academy student who kills criminals, who receive light sentences even if their crimes were heinous. He is constantly trying to cover up his involvement in the murders from the detectives who are trying to catch him.