Showtime defends Deb's brotherly love on 'Dexter'

Showtime Entertainment president David Nevins used his platform at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour to defend the network's biggest scripted drama, "Dexter."

Following a season that introduced a romantic element to on-screen adopted siblings Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) with her serial killer brother Dexter (Michael C. Hall), Nevins said he's been "pushing to shake up the formula for a bit."

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"I'm aware that there's a certain taboo despite the fact that they're not genetically related, but it's something that has been building for a number of years. If you go back and look the past couple seasons, it's an idea that has informed how they've done the show for a long time."

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"I think there's a very clear trajectory where they're going," he told reporters. "It's time to shake up what Dexter goes through so he's not quite such a lone wolf."

Last season, Debra in an effort to take control over her life began therapy and realized that her feelings for her adopted brother go beyond the love of a sibling. In the finale, she was on the verge of confessing her feelings and walked in to find Dexter murdering Travis (Colin Hanks), getting a first-hand look at what he's capable of.

Nevins noted that the romantic direction of the characters continues to be something the premium cable network discusses with Hall and Carpenter, whose divorce became final last month.

More from THR: 'Dexter's' Jennifer Carpenter: Deb is honoring 'what's true for her'

"They know what's going on and they have a very good relationship, it's quite comfortable," he said. "That has been a conversation and that will continue to be a conversation."

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The executive also noted that "Dexter," which received a two-season renewal in November, could continue on beyond its upcoming seventh and eighth seasons. "This is the likely end point, but I'm allowing for the possibility that the plan could change," he said.

The Clicker: It's the beginning of the end for 'Dexter'

Do you think Deb's discovery of Dexter's Dark Passenger wills squash the romantic feelings she had developed? Share your thoughts on the Facebook page for our TV blog, The Clicker.