Dexter is one of the few television shows I have watched in its entirety. It is not near the perfection of The Wire, notoriety of Madmen, completeness of Breaking Bad, cultural relevance of Empire or even the scope of Game of Thrones. But I love this show! Dexter‘s eight seasons are uneven, though not repetitious in plot or characterization. Dark and explicit, Dexter is often mislabeled as a crime drama; it is a psychological drama for its brilliant exploration of major and minor characters’ internal and external lives. Like The Wire, I always appreciate the writing and performances. Michael C Hall’s range is undeniable!

Recently, Showtime re-aired the series. As I re-watched the serial killer, Dexter Morgan, toggle between introspection and addiction I wondered why it was so difficult for shows (creators, writers and casting agency) to see people of color (POC) as complete and complex human…