The following reveals major plot points from Dexter: Resurrection‘s latest episode, “Course Correction.”
David Dastmalchian has quickly become Hollywood’s go-to bad guy, and if you’re watching him on Showtime‘s Dexter: Resurrection, you can understand why.
As was revealed in the episode “Course Correction,” Dastmalchian was pulling double duty right under our noses. The clue was in his killer moniker, the Gemini Killer.
In the prior week’s episode, “Cats and Mouse,” Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) kills Gareth, the Gemini Killer, whom he believes he’s been breaking bread with at Leon Prater’s (Peter Dinklage) bougie dinners with only serial killers on the guest list. But the truth is more complicated. Yes, Dexter took down a Gareth, but he was unaware that they were a pair, twins.
He learns of the second Gareth, whom Dastmalchian refers to jointly as the Gareths, in the current episode when both arrive at a helicopter that will take them to another of Prater’s events. Shocked and confused for a quick second, Dexter tries to figure out how Gareth no. 1 survived. Of course, he didn’t. He was dealing with brothers.
It was a little frustrating at first, knowing he would have to kill him again, and this time, in front of an audience. But Dexter got the job done and made it all look like self-defense. It got the attention of those in the Prater party who have thus far survived: Prater himself, his head of security, Charley (Uma Thurman), and Al (Eric Stonestreet).
For those keeping track, Dexter has also killed Lowell (Neil Patrick Harris). Mia LaPierre (Krysten Ritter) was caught by police right before her next Lady Vengeance kill, her first in New York. Her arrest went down with a little assist from Dexter, who made an anonymous call to police. She was discovered dead in her jail cell, and her death was ruled a suicide. However, it was Charley pulling those strings, for reasons that are as yet unknown.
Dastmalchian spoke to Deadline about becoming the first actor to be killed by Dexter twice, both in new (almost) Saran Wrap-free ways, what he added to each Gareth that made them unique, and more below.
DEADLINE: Throughout the history of Dexter, there have been so many actors who have willingly wanted to join the show to end up on his table. And you got to get killed by him twice! What was that experience like?
DAVID DASTMALCHIAN: I want to give a major thank you and share my gratitude to [executive producers] Clyde [Phillips] and Scott [Reynolds], because what I got to do with the Gareths is something that no one has done. The Dexter legacy is now deep and long, and the fandom is incredible. Not only did I get to play two characters, but I had two performances to craft. I had two confrontations with Dexter, two kills from Dexter, but none of them happened in the Dexter way. I never get strapped to a table. It’s all very unique.
As we were shooting it, I kept saying, “I don’t feel like you’ve ever done this before.” And they kept saying, “We haven’t. We’re so excited. This is really cool.” So I’d be curious to know what Scott, Clyde, and Michael all have to say about it. But for me, it’s such an honor that I got to be a part of this legacy.
DEADLINE: Was there ever a discussion about the twins appearing together in one shot?
D. DASTMALCHIAN: There were times when we were very close to one another, but we were not in the same space at the same time. I think it would have spoiled the wonderful, juicy moment when Dexter’s in the helicopter with Prater and the gang, and all of a sudden, that car pulls up and this person is walking towards us.
But maybe there’s a world where, as you’ve seen in Resurrection, Dexter has all of these dream sequences with all these different people from his past. So maybe he’s going to be haunted by the ghost of the Garreths?
DEADLINE: Ooh, are you saying you’d be interested in popping back in?
D. DASTMALCHIAN: Hell yeah, I would.
DEADLINE: Yes! Okay, what can you share about what you poured into each Gareth to make them unique?
D. DASTMALCHIAN: When people are watching the episodes, I would love for them to say, “Oh, now I see the differences.” I explored which character was right-handed and which was left-handed, how they walked, how they moved through space, when they got nervous, and when they were thinking about things.
You know how we do different stuff, like right now you’re doing little gestures with your mouth, with your face, with everything, all of that is so specific to us as individuals, and those are little things that evolve. I wanted to create for each of the Gareths their own very specific mannerisms. All the little details are so much fun for me as an actor. It’s such a wonderful way of building out and understanding how each character exists. I didn’t want it to be too obtuse or too over the top, but I wanted to find different ways of existing in space as each of these characters. As much as they are the same, they’re still two different men.
DEADLINE: What can you share about your experience working with Michael?
D. DASTMALCHIAN: I find him to be one of the most interesting actors of recent years. He’s so committed to what he does, and we’ve seen him excel in both long-term performances on TV and his theater background, as well as in the various roles he’s taken on. I was so excited about the chance to work with him. He ended up being so lovely, so supportive, and such an awesome scene partner. He made me so happy. We had a lot of one-on-one time.
What you see in the episodes also includes time where we’re just sitting and waiting for the cameras, the lights, and everything to get moved around in between setups. That’s when we would connect and talk. I admire him as an artist, and I learned a lot from him. He’s so focused, in a way, similar to when I was working with Alexander Skarsgard on Murderbot. I found that these really robustly imaginative and grounded, committed actors will never, unless they’re called upon, give you the same performance twice. They experience each take like it’s actually happening, and it’s a fresh, new discovery. That’s really inspiring to me, because that requires a kind of presence and openness that is demanding, and it’s something I strive for as an actor.
DEADLINE: If you could eulogize the Gareths or write something on their tombstone, what would it be?
D. DASTMALCHIAN: Misunderstood artists who forged a legendary legacy of craftsmanship and skill. No. 1 on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, no. 1 in your heart, and now they rest in peace together.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
The post David Dastmalchian Talks Causing Double Trouble On ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ appeared first on Deadline.
