Dexter revival shocker: John Lithgow poised to return as the Trinity Killer

He’s back. The Trinity Killer is back! Yes, John Lithgow is scheduled to return for the upcoming Dexter revival. But considering his character was killed off by Dexter himself in the show’s fourth season finale, it remains unclear exactly how his return will work. The news comes from a Deadline exclusive, although Showtime has yet to officially comment.

One of the primary reasons fans will likely be excited about this news is that Lithgow’s turn as Arthur Mitchell, a.k.a. the Trinity Killer in Season 4, is considered one of the show’s high points. Mitchell quickly became a fan favorite character and proved to be one of Dexter’s most formidable opponents.

It’s not likely a coincidence that the show started to go downhill after his character was killed off. Lithgow also won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series the year that he played Arthur and a Golden Globe for the role as well.

Dexter revival: Will the Trinity Killer appear in a flashback or dream sequence?

There really are only two options for how the Trinity Killer could return unless the Dexter revival is planning to move into supernatural territory, but I don’t see that happening (the revival is supposed to fix the show’s mistakes, not make more).

According to the original Deadline report:

"Details are scant, but scribes on the Clyde Phillips-showrun 10-episode limited series have concocted a pathway for the Trinity Killer to come back that works within the larger Dexter narrative, I’m told. To that end, Lithgow is expected to only film for about a day or so on the L.A.-set production. It is likely that his on-camera work will occur in the next week or so."

If Lithgow is only expected to film for a day or so, I’d imagine his role will be just a few short scenes or kept to only one episode in one location. That makes me think that he’s only going to be appearing in a flashback, or maybe some kind of weird dream sequence.

The question is, will his character be appearing to Dexter, or maybe to someone else? Perhaps the Trinity Killer has a connection to Clancy Brown’s new character Kurt Caldwell, the unofficial mayor of Iron Lake, where the revival will take place.

Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing Lithgow back in the role of the Trinity Killer, if only because it recalls the golden era of Dexter. Let’s hope his return signifies that this revival truly will be more like the early days of the serial killer drama.

Are you happy that John Lithgow will be reprising his role as the Trinity Killer in the upcoming Dexter revival? What do you think his purpose will be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.