Michael C. Hall Talks 'Dexter' Season Five: 'His Life Has Been Decimated'

By Nicki Gostin Posted Sep 29th 2010 09:18AM

'Dexter' premiered this weekend to killer ratings -- its highest yet with 2.3 million viewers. Star Michael C. Hall, who triumphed over Hodgkin's lymphoma earlier this year, spoke with PopEater about his health, being married to his onscreen sister, actress Jennifer Carpenter, and what it's like playing a serial killer.

So what's up for Dexter this season?
Everything he's constructed for himself to appear normal and connected to feeling undeniably human at this point, everything has been taken off the table. And he is responsible, so Dexter's life has been decimated; he feels a great sense of guilt for that fact, so once again we find him in unchartered emotional waters.

Does it ever get to you, playing a serial killer?
Yeah, probably, I suppose. But at the same time never do I have more of a skip in my step than on days when we shoot Dexter actually killing someone. It's cathartic.

Who do you think of when you're killing someone?
Oh I'm not telling!

I was a huge fan of 'Six Feet Under.' Were you worried that you would be typecast playing a gay character?
I mean, I was aware that I would probably avoid playing a funeral director again when the show was over. It was something that was more high profile than anything I've done. But ultimately no, if anything I felt charged with the responsibility to play it right, to give it my all because I recognized it was a really unique character.

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Michael C. Hall Pics

Michael C. Hall attends "Peep World" Premiere during the 35th Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 15 in Toronto. Check out more pics >>

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Kristin Chenoweth Snapshots

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Kristin Chenoweth attends US Weekly's 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers at Lavo on September 15, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Chenoweth Snapshots

Actress Kristin Chenoweth attends US Weekly's 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers at Lavo on September 15, 2010 in New York, New York. US Weekly's 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers 2010 Lavo New York, NY United States September 15, 2010 Photo by Henry S. Dziekan III/WireImage.com To license this image (61679420), contact WireImage.com

Kristin Chenoweth Snapshots

Actress Kristin Chenoweth attends the Nanette Lepore Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Stage at Lincoln Center on September 15, 2010 in New York City. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2011 - Nanette Lepore The Stage at Lincoln Center New York, NY United States September 15, 2010 Photo by Janette Pellegrini/FilmMagic.com To license this image (61672971), contact FilmMagic.com

Kristin Chenoweth Snapshots

Actress Kristin Chenoweth attends the Nanette Lepore Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Stage at Lincoln Center on September 15, 2010 in New York City. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2011 - Nanette Lepore - Front Row & Backstage The Stage at Lincoln Center New York, NY United States September 15, 2010 Photo by Bennett Raglin/WireImage.com To license this image (61670948), contact WireImage.com

Kristin Chenoweth Snapshots

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Actress Kristin Chenoweth, designer Nanette Lepore, singer Sarah Marince, and actress Tiffany Thornton pose backstage at the Nanette Lepore Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Stage at Lincoln Center on September 15, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IMG) *** Local Caption *** Kristin Chenoweth;Nanette Lepore;Sarah Marince;Tiffany Thornton

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How's your health?
It's good. I'm feeling really good. I've been in remission since March and I'm feeling great. My strength is back and I'm just really, really grateful.

Did you have a "why me" moment when you were diagnosed?
No, more like a "why not me."

Did you feel very ill during treatments?
The treatment becomes the focus of your life when you're doing it, but there are a lot of chemo drugs now and anti nausea meds that make some of the treatments a little more palatable. I didn't feel great, but I knew I was feeling bad for a good reason.

What a thing to go through with your wife after just two years of marriage.
Yeah ... it's a big thing to fall into your lap at any point.

Now you know she's a keeper.
[Laughs] That's right.

You and your wife play brother and sister in the show and now Peter Krause, your 'Six Feet Under' brother is dating his TV sister, Lauren Graham.
It is a little weird but it's purely coincidental. Peter feels like family to me and Lauren's a great girl so I'm happy for them.

The show only takes five months to shoot. That's a sweet schedule.
It's the best gig, I tell you. I travel and hopefully find something else to do to remind myself I'm not a serial killer and I can play other roles.

So do you pick daises in the park?
[Laughs] No, I try to keep them there for other people to enjoy.

You won a Golden Globe this year.
It was fantastic winning. I've been to those shows before and I've never won. It really is a lot more fun if you've won.

I like the Golden Globes because the celebs drink and they're looser.
Yeah it's more fun being seated at tables as opposed to being seated like it's an assembly. I didn't drink that night because I was in the midst of a treatment, but I have in the past and I look forward to doing so again.

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Tags: Dexter, Michael C. Hall, Six Feet Under

Comments

(9)

Wednesday 29 September

By Randall

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I think Dexter is the best show on television and hope it never ends. I am a true dexter fan and would love to go watch a shoot and meet the stars of the show.

By MyOpinionOnly..

Dexter is an awesome show, and Mike is a wonderful actor. Been a fan since 6 ft under. I was pulling for him, and I'm so happy for his continued health...

By glenda

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I love Dexter.It's one of the best shows ever.I ordered all 4 season's and eagerly wait for 5.I love Michael and the whole cast but if he loses his wife and is left with 3 kids,I don't see how Dex can continue with his LIFESTYLE but I look farward to finding out.

By froggirl80

I love this man!! I remember seeing Michael at the Stand Up To Cancer benefit a weeks ago and he looked amazing! His hair was all back & he looked so healthy & strong & handsome. I'm so glad the cancer strengthed his marriage to Jennifer, that's the power of love right there. I hope when I get married, I'm as blessed as Jennifer to have a beautiful person like Michael as my hubby. And I love Dexter!!!!!

Tuesday 09 November

By MJ

Michael, You are a wonderful and handsome (!) actor. So interesting to watch the great show, Dexter, and have enjoyed all seasons! NO ONE else could possibly play Dex!

A fan for life!

By Barb

I love Dexter and am glad that Michael is feeling good again! Keep up the great work.

By Debbie

I feel like a drug dealer when I talk about Dexter. I'm constantly pushing it on others. It's a little hard to describe though. I told my sister it's about a serial killer but he's not a bad guy. He's specialized. He only kills other killers. (until he mistakenly kills an innocent but I forgive him for that).
How can you not love a show that answers its questions by the end of a season and not leave you hanging for years??
I loved Season 4 but I have to say Season 2 is my all time favorite.

By Lorraine

Dexter is the only show that I actually WATCH....spend my entire time looking at the screen,there is so much going on, I don't want to miss a single expression of these wonderful actors and the story.You might call it my one hour a week of Me time....everything else is shut down.I have read both books, and the tv show has created a full, ever changing hero, hero because we do root for him, we are on his side, we ache for him to grow into what he perceives all of the rest of us to be.His path has been tortuous,funny, charming, endearing,scary,the superb writing has given us an anti-hero to love.

Sunday 10 October

By LenaP

My favorite show. My son insisted and I fought it every step of the way. But I did and am hooked. I have watched every show and enjoyed Michael Hall even in Six feet under - which also was a great show. Peter Krause and Michael were great. i really thought Michael was gay - he was so real. Hope he will continue to be well and keep the great writing and acting going.

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