"Dexter," Showtime's popular drama about a Miami Police Department blood spatter pattern analyst moonlighting as a serial killer, will end after the upcoming eighth season, the premium cable network announced on Thursday.
Although this is the first time Showtime has confirmed the news, it was been widely speculated for months that this season of "Dexter" would the last.
Also read: 'Dexter' Season 8 Teaser Is Bloody Short on Details (Video)
But what a bloody ride it's been for Showtime's first successful original series. Since debuting in 2006, "Dexter" — which stars Michael C. Hall as the tiular anti-hero — has been a steady ratings success, while winning a Peabody Award and being twice named one of AFI’s top ten television series.
"'Dexter' is a landmark franchise for our network, and we cannot wait to unveil the conclusion of this series, as we know it, to the millions of passionate fans who have supported the show season after season," David Nevins, Showtime's president of entertainment, said in a statement. "We'd like to thank Michael, Jennifer, and 'Dexter's indomitable cast, executive producers, writers and crew for eight incredible seasons."
The network's announcement also came with the first footage from the final season.
Premiering on June 30, the story kicks off six months after LaGuerta’s (Lauren Vélez) murder in Season 7. As Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) struggles to deal with the consequences of her actions and Dexter continues juggling his responsibilities on top of his murderous impulses, a mysterious woman comes to work with Miami Metro, offering first-hand information on Dexter’s past.
Here's the first look at the final season: