'Dexter's Killing Spree Continues: Showtime Orders Sixth Season

Showtime's infamous vigilante detective will get to apply his craft for another season.
The premium service Monday announced it has renewed its popular drama Dexter for a sixth season. The series, starring Michael C. Hall as Miami cop/vigilante Dexter Morgan, will begin filming its season six episodes next spring in Los Angeles, according to David Nevins, president of entertainment for Showtime Networks.

The fifth season of the series is on pace to set a Nielsen-best for the show. Dexter's Nov. 28th episode drew 2.54 million viewers, the series' second biggest audience since the season four finale in 2009, which drew 2.57 million. The fifth-season finale airs Sunday (Dec. 12.)

"Dexter is the best suspense drama on television," said Nevins in a statement. "To grow its audience so significantly in its fifth season is an enormous accomplishment by this amazing cast and crew. This is the easiest decision I've made since I got to Showtime."

Dexter received seven primetime Emmy award nominations this year, including outstanding television drama series, outstanding lead actor in a drama series (Hall) and outstanding guest actor in a drama series for John Lithgow, which he won. Additionally, director Steve Shill won the Emmy for outstanding directing for a drama series

The show has received numerous Golden Globe nominations, as well as the Peabody Award in 2008 and was twice named one of AFI's top 10 television series.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.