Dexter Morgan

. By day, he is a skilled blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department, but by night, he is a vigilante serial killer who targets criminals who have escaped justice. Dexter was orphaned as a child after witnessing his mother’s brutal murder, which left him with deep psychological trauma and an insatiable urge to kill. He was adopted by Harry Morgan, a police officer, who recognized Dexter’s dark impulses and taught him “The Code”—a set of strict rules that directed his killings toward only those who “deserve it.” Despite his outward charm and ability to blend into society, Dexter struggles with emotional detachment, often seeing himself as incapable of genuine human connection. However, as the series progresses, his relationships—especially with his sister Debra, his son Harrison, and a few close friends—challenge his belief that he is incapable of love or change. Throughout Dexter, his dual life grows increasingly difficult to maintain, as both law enforcement and his personal relationships threaten to expose his dark secret. His internal conflict—between his need to kill and his desire for a normal life—defines his character and drives the tension of the series.