SHOWTIME ANNOUNCES PICKUP OF CRIME DRAMA WITH A TWIST, 'DEXTER,' STARRING MICHAEL C. HALL

Series Based Upon Jeff Lindsay's Critically�Acclaimed Novel, Begins Production this Spring

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 19, 2006) � Showtime has ordered 12 episodes of an unusual one-hour crime thriller series, DEXTER, starring Emmy�- and Golden Globe�- nominated actor Michael C. Hall ("Six Feet Under"), it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, Showtime President of Entertainment. The series follows Dexter Morgan (Hall), an incredibly likeable forensics expert for the Miami Metro Police Department, who moonlights as a serial killer with a penchant for inflicting his own unusual brand of justice � he kills people who truly deserve it.

"Dexter is the unusual exploration into the mind of a sociopathic killer � whom, in spite of his vigilante justice, the audience will find incredibly sympathetic and charismatic," said Greenblatt. "The power of this show, and the strength of Michael C. Hall's brilliant acting, is what sets it apart from anything else on television and makes it perfect for SHOWTIME. I'm thrilled to be reunited with Michael, after working together on �Six Feet Under.'"

James Manos Jr. wrote the teleplay for the pilot (Emmy� Award for writing "The Sopranos"). John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton ("Live from Baghdad," "The Painted Veil"), and John Manos Jr. will executive produce the series. Former "Six Feet Under" helmer and acclaimed independent film director Michael Cuesta ("L.I.E.," "Twelve and Holding") directed the pilot.

Along with Hall, the series stars Jennifer Carpenter ("The Exorcism of Emily Rose"), Lauren Velez ("New York Undercover"), Julie Benz ("Jawbreaker"), Erik King ("National Treasure"), David Zayas ("The Interpreter") and James Remar ("Sex and the City"). Set to begin production in late spring, the series is scheduled to debut before the end of 2006 and will be shot on location in Miami.

DEXTER is based on the compelling novel "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" by Jeff Lindsay, a South Florida native. Orphaned at the age of four and harboring a traumatic secret, Dexter is adopted by a police officer who recognizes Dexter's homicidal tendencies and guides his son to channel his gruesome passion for human vivisection in a constructive way - by killing those heinous perpetrators that are above the law or who have slipped through the cracks of justice. A respected member of the police force, a perfect gentleman and a man with a soft spot for children, it's hard not to like Dexter. Although his drive to kill is unflinching, he struggles to emulate normal emotions he doesn't feel, and to keep up his appearance as a caring, socially responsible human being.