Brian Cox is stepping back into the mind of a psychopath. The legendary actor, famously known as the first person to portray Hannibal Lecter on film, has officially joined the cast of Paramount+'s Dexter: Resurrection for its highly anticipated second season.
According to industry reports, the Succession star will take on the role of Dom Framt, an infamous murderer known to the public as The New York Ripper. While the menacing figure's presence loomed unseen during the show's freshman season, Framt will now be stepping out of the shadows.
Casting descriptions shed light on the retired killer's twisted new psychological games:
Though introduced off-camera during the show's debut season, the New York Ripper is a historical menace who previously held the city hostage. While he has technically retired his murder weapons, Framt still feeds his dark ego by relentlessly harassing and stalking the people who survived his original reign of terror.
Cox is certainly no stranger to playing brilliant, dangerous figures. Long before his celebrated run as media patriarch Logan Roy, he chilled audiences as the imprisoned cannibal "Hannibal Lektor" in Michael Mann's 1986 thriller Manhunter. His expansive Hollywood resume also includes heavy-hitting roles in X2, the Jason Bourne franchise, Braveheart, and Zodiac.
This major casting update follows a slightly turbulent period for the Dexter television universe. Paramount+ renewed Resurrection last year while simultaneously pulling the plug on the planned prequel series, Dexter: Original Sin. That sudden cancellation proved highly controversial, drawing public ire from the franchise's veteran showrunner, Clyde Phillips.
With Cox firmly on board to play the sadistic, taunting Ripper, a deadly collision course is set. He is expected to face off against Michael C. Hall, who is once again returning to don the kill suit as television's favorite vigilante, Dexter Morgan.