Summary
Dextermight have ended 12 years ago, but the series remains just as popular as ever due to the numerous spinoffs and prequel shows being created based on this franchise. The originalDexterseries had many memorable moments and characters that audiences have never forgotten, and Julie Benz’s role as Rita Morgan was certainly one of them.
She played a rare character who got to see a softer, more human side to Dexter Morgan, having been one of the lead roles inDexterfor the first four seasons. However, she ultimately met her end at the hands of the Trinity Killer, which was one of the most controversial and shocking moments in the show’s history.
Rita being killed was something that nobody saw coming when it took place right at the end of season four. It was a gut punch to many fans right at the end of the season when audiences presumed thatDexter had finally realizedthe importance of family life. However, it wasn’t just fans who were taken aback, as Benz admitted toHappy Horror Timeshe wasn’t alerted to it until late on. She said,“I only found out a couple of days before, and I was devastated. Nobody was more devastated than me. I felt like I had failed Rita in some ways. In Seasons 1 and 2, the Dexter-Rita relationship was so well done. But then some of the writers left, new ones came in, and they never seemed to recapture that dynamic,” she said. “I understand how episodic television works—some seasons, you have a great storyline and other times, you take a backseat while the focus shifts. But looking back,I wish I had spoken up more for Rita.”
Benz went on to explain how it wasn’t just Rita’s surprise death that she should’ve spoken about. She also felt that Rita was being altered regarding her personality. She explained, “I should have spoken up, especially in Season 3. They started making Rita really silly. I expressed my concerns to my manager, but I also loved being on the show, so I didn’t push it further. I just assumed it would change over time. In hindsight, I realize I should have fought for her voice.They reduced her to the butt of jokesand, in some ways, turned her intothe villain in Dexter’s life.If I could go back, I would have advocated for her more. Some decisions just didn’t make sense.”
Benz eventually returned toDexterfor a cameo role in the fifth season, but due to her ending, it was always impossible to bring her back permanently. That’s also going to stop Rita from ever coming back in theupcomingDexter: Resurrectionshow. However, John Lithgow’s Trinity Killer is set for an appearance, proving that nothing is off the table with possible surprise appearances.
Rita’s character was popular with fansbecause she was trying to pull Dexter to live a normal life. She brought an interesting dynamic to his character that the show never truly replaced with other romantic partners.Dexterfeatured a lot of death throughout its eight-season run, which meant a lot of the emotional impact was taken away from them. However, due to Rita’s warm nature and the fact she was a mother, her death ended up being one of the saddest throughoutDexter’shistory.
