"I should have spoken up," the actress said, reflecting on the changes made to Rita.
Nearly 12 years have passed since the original Dexter series concluded, leaving behind one of the most controversial endings in television history. However, four years prior, there was a shocking moment that catapulted the show to even greater popularity—an unexpected twist that no one saw coming. We’re talking about the death of Rita Morgan, played by Julie Benz.
For fans, Rita’s death was a gut-wrenching shock, but for Benz, it was also a frustrating career setback. Over the years, she has openly expressed her disappointment over the abrupt decision to kill off her character, which resulted in her losing a role she deeply loved.
In a new interview with Happy Horror Time, the actress shared her experiences working on the show for 49 episodes (including the Season 5 premiere) and her dissatisfaction with not only Rita’s demise but also the creative choices surrounding her character in Seasons 3 and 4. One particularly surprising revelation was Benz’s claim that a shift in the writers’ room during Season 3 altered Rita’s personality, making her "really silly."
Benz also disclosed that before agreeing to return for the Season 5 premiere, titled 'My Bad,' she demanded to see the original pitch notes for Season 4. She wanted to determine whether Rita’s death was planned from the beginning or if it was a last-minute decision by showrunner Clyde Phillips. The truth turned out to be different from what she was initially told. “If I could go back in time and speak up more for her, then maybe there would have been a different outcome,” she reflected.
Following the Season 4 finale, Phillips departed (as planned) from Dexter, and a new showrunner, Chip Johannessen, took over for Season 5. However, Johannessen also left after just one season. Read on for Benz’s candid thoughts on her final two seasons on Dexter.
Note: The interview has been edited slightly for coherence, without altering the meaning.
Finding Out About Rita’s Death—and Reacting to the Decision
Julie Benz: “I only found out a couple of days before, and I was devastated. Nobody was more devastated than me. I felt like I had failed Rita in some ways. In Seasons 1 and 2, the Dexter-Rita relationship was so well done. But then some of the writers left, new ones came in, and they never seemed to recapture that dynamic.
I understand how episodic television works—some seasons you have a great storyline, and other times, you take a backseat while the focus shifts. But looking back, I wish I had spoken up more for Rita.”
Julie Benz’s Frustration with Rita’s Writing in Season 3
Julie Benz: “I should have spoken up, especially in Season 3. They started making Rita really silly. I expressed my concerns to my manager, but I also loved being on the show, so I didn’t push it further. I just assumed it would change over time.
In hindsight, I realize I should have fought for her voice. They reduced her to the butt of jokes and, in some ways, turned her into the villain in Dexter’s life. If I could go back, I would have advocated for her more. Some decisions just didn’t make sense.”
Returning for Season 5—But Only After Demanding the Truth
Julie Benz: “It was tough. I was told killing off Rita was a last-minute decision. But then someone who had no stake in the show told me that wasn’t true—it was planned from the beginning of the season. I felt completely lied to.
When they asked me to return for Season 5, I was already working on another show, No Ordinary Family, and my new network didn’t want me to do it. But I felt it was the right thing to do—for the character, for closure.
Before agreeing, I asked to see the original pitch notes for Season 4. I don’t like being lied to. Once I saw the notes, it gave me closure. I knew the truth, and I let them know I knew. I came back to clean up the storyline, but I made it clear—don’t lie to me.”
Feeling Undermined
Julie Benz: “They had just renegotiated my contract, so it felt like they completely pulled the rug out from under me. My manager spoke with the executives, and they didn’t understand why I was so hurt. He told them, ‘She’s been in this industry since she was 13. She’s been killed off other shows, but she was always included in the process. You blindsided her.’
That was what upset me the most—not being included. On Angel, they sent me scripts ahead of time and asked for my input. They valued my opinion. With Dexter, I felt like I was treated like a child, and that’s my biggest pet peeve.”
Did She Watch the Rest of Dexter?
Julie Benz: “No. I didn’t even watch Rita’s death scene. Showtime held a big finale party for fans, and they wanted me to attend. But Rita was a character I had to mourn. I wasn’t enlisted in the process of her death, so it was harder for me to process it.
I eventually decided to go—for the fans. But as soon as they started playing the episode, I left. I didn’t want to share that vulnerability in a public space.
Looking back, I was worried—what if fans didn’t care that Rita died? What if they were glad she was gone? But in hindsight, I see now that I was given one of the most talked-about moments in Dexter’s history. Even with all the new iterations of the show, people still talk about Rita’s death. I didn’t realize it at the time, but now I see—it was a gift, even though it felt so personal.”
The interview segment begins at the 41:12 mark in the video below. Check it out!