If you’ve spent any time watching a man in a henley shirt meticulously wrap a room in plastic, you know Harry Morgan. He’s the guy who didn’t just raise a serial killer—he built one. But when people ask who played Dexter’s dad, the answer has actually gotten a little more crowded lately.
For the vast majority of the show's run, the face of Harry Morgan was James Remar. He was the calm, gravel-voiced detective who appeared in Dexter’s head like a bloody Jiminy Cricket. But with the franchise expanding into prequels and sequels, we’ve now got a few different actors stepping into those police boots.
The Face of the Code: James Remar
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else as Harry. James Remar didn't just play a dad; he played a "Dark Passenger" mentor. He was in nearly every single episode of the original eight-season run on Showtime. Even though Harry died before the pilot episode ever aired, Remar stayed on as a series regular.
He played Harry as a man who realized his adopted son was a monster and decided, "Well, if he's going to kill, he might as well kill the bad guys." It’s a wild premise. Remar brought a certain gravitas to it that made you almost—almost—ignore how messed up the whole situation was.
Why he wasn't in New Blood
When the show came back for the limited series Dexter: New Blood in 2021, fans were shocked to see Remar missing. Instead of Harry, Dexter’s sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) took over the role of his internal conscience.
Remar actually went on record saying he wasn't asked back for that specific run, and it kind of bummed him out. He told fans in various interviews that he didn’t know why they didn't reach out, especially since Harry was such a foundational part of the lore.
The New Guard: Christian Slater in Original Sin
Fast forward to the current era. The franchise is blowing up again. We have Dexter: Original Sin, which takes us back to the early 90s. Since James Remar is now in his 70s, he couldn't exactly play a younger version of a man who died in his 50s.
Enter Christian Slater.
Slater is a massive get for the show. He brings a totally different energy to Harry Morgan. While Remar’s Harry was often seen through the rose-colored (or blood-stained) glasses of Dexter’s memory—appearing calm and wise—Slater’s version is much more "boots on the ground."
- Setting: 1991 Miami.
- The Vibe: Overworked, stressed-out homicide detective.
- The Twist: He’s actively teaching a teenage Dexter (Patrick Gibson) how to get away with murder in real-time.
Some fans have noted that Slater's Harry feels "louder" or more aggressive than the version we saw in the original series. But that actually makes sense. In the original show, we saw Harry as a projection of Dexter’s mind. In Original Sin, we’re seeing the actual man, flaws and all, trying to balance a failing marriage, a high-stress job, and a son who likes to sharpen knives in the shed.
The Big Return: Dexter Resurrection
Here is where it gets really interesting for 2026. James Remar is officially back.
With the launch of the sequel series Dexter: Resurrection, the showrunners realized they missed the dynamic between father and son. Since Dexter is (spoiler alert) somehow surviving the events of the snowy woods in New York, he needs his old mentor back.
Remar has returned to play Harry as the manifestation of the Code once again. In this new series, Harry is acting as a "peer" to Dexter. He isn't just lecturing him anymore; they’re navigating this new, even darker world together. It’s a homecoming that most long-term fans have been begging for since the first revival failed to include him.
A Quick Look at James Remar’s Other Hits
If you recognize Remar but can’t quite place him outside of Miami Metro, it’s because the guy is a legend in Hollywood. He’s been around forever.
- The Warriors (1979): He played Ajax. That’s his big breakout.
- Sex and the City: He was Richard Wright, the wealthy guy who broke Samantha’s heart.
- Oppenheimer (2023): He played Henry L. Stimson, the Secretary of War.
- Black Lightning: He spent years as Peter Gambi.
Is there anyone else?
Technically, yes. If you’re a real stickler for the credits, you’ll find some child actors who played the "youngest" versions of Dexter's dad in very brief, grainy 1970s flashbacks during the original series. But for the sake of the story, the mantle of Harry Morgan belongs to Remar and Slater.
💡 You might also like: Elizabeth Hurley Explained: Why That Iconic 1994 Look Still Matters
What's fascinating is how the two actors have to coordinate. Slater has talked about watching Remar’s old footage to pick up on specific mannerisms—the way he carries himself, that specific "cop" stare—while still making the character his own.
What to watch next
If you're looking to dive deep into the history of Harry Morgan, your best bet is to watch the shows in a specific order to see how the character evolves.
- Step 1: Start with Dexter: Original Sin to see Christian Slater build the foundation of the Code.
- Step 2: Move into the original Dexter (Seasons 1-8) to see James Remar’s iconic performance as the ghostly mentor.
- Step 3: Jump into Dexter: Resurrection to see Remar return to the role in the modern day.
By seeing both actors take on the role, you get a much fuller picture of who Harry Morgan really was: a man who loved his son enough to help him become the world's most efficient vigilante.