The actress who played Camilla Figg shares insights into her role in Dexter: Original Sin.
Dexter: Original Sin concluded its first season on Valentine’s Day, leaving the majority of fans highly satisfied with its writing and storytelling. The 10-episode journey was packed with Easter eggs, callbacks, and surprises that have viewers eagerly awaiting news of a Season 2 renewal, which is still pending.
One of the standout elements of Dexter: Original Sin is its exceptional casting. Casting director John Papsidera faced the challenge of finding actors who not only resembled the original characters but also captured their charisma. The results were impressive, with fans overwhelmingly pleased with the casting choices.
Among them was Sarah Kinsey, who took on the role of Camilla Figg. Though her role in Season 1 was relatively small, appearing in eight episodes, her portrayal made an impact. Kinsey recently sat down with The Dreaming Insomniacs to discuss her experience playing Camilla and her hopes for the character’s future.
Sarah Kinsey on Being Cast as Camilla Figg in Dexter: Original Sin
“Like anything else, I auditioned,” Kinsey shared. “When you're an actor with representation, you get sent auditions through a platform called Actors Access. Sometimes, casting calls provide a lot of information, and sometimes they don’t. For this one, I remember it was a self-tape audition request, which is more common these days.”
She explained that she was out of town when she received the request but was lucky to have creative friends who helped her record. “The breakdown specifically mentioned the role of Camilla and noted that the actress should resemble Margo Martindale. I thought, ‘Wow,’ and went back to watch all her scenes from the original series, seasons one through three.”
Kinsey meticulously studied Martindale’s portrayal of Camilla, noting the character’s energy and speech patterns. “Some of the audition script even included phrases from the original series, which helped me capture the essence of the role.”
Her effort paid off quickly. “Within 24 hours, I got a ‘check avail’ call, which means they liked my tape and wanted to ensure I was available. A couple of weeks later, I got a callback while returning from a trip to Ireland. I did the callback on Zoom with Clyde Phillips, director Michael Lehmann, and Showtime executives. A few days later, I found out I got the role.”
One of the most exciting moments for Kinsey was participating in a table read for the first two episodes. “It was surreal—everyone was there. Michael C. Hall joined via Zoom for the voiceover, Clyde Phillips was across the table, and the entire cast was present. It was such a dream come true.”
Kinsey on Camilla Figg’s Future in Dexter: Original Sin Season 2
When asked about her hopes for Camilla in a potential Season 2, Kinsey shared her excitement. “I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I imagine she’ll be back. She’s the file clerk—she’s always there.”
She speculated about Camilla’s involvement with Dexter’s boat. “She’s been letting Dexter use it a lot. Could she eventually gift it to him? That could be interesting.”
Kinsey is also curious about exploring Camilla’s friendship with Harry Morgan. “I’d love to see how much further that relationship is developed.”
When asked about potential flashbacks involving Doris Morgan, Kinsey responded, “We’ll see. Maybe there will be some in Season 2.”