Divisive TV Show Loved by Millennials Will Disappear From Netflix Tonight
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Some Netflix viewers are up in arms as beloved but controversial series Dexter is set to leave the streaming giant at midnight.
The crime drama series, which first aired on Showtime between 2006 and 2013, was added to Netflix two years ago, and from the very first episode has amassed legions of fans.
It's come with controversy, however: the show revolves around a serial killer, with the titular protagonist hunting down and murdering those he sees as having escaped proper punishment by the U.S. justice system.
And while the early seasons were a critical success, ratings plummeted as the series went on—and its Season 8 finale is rated 4.8 stars from user ratings on IMDB. For comparison, the infamously divisive ending to Game of Thrones fares just slightly worse, at 4 stars.
That said, Dexter proved hugely popular on Netflix: since being added in June 2024, it has enjoyed a whopping 1.01 billion viewing hours, or 94.8 million views, according to What's on Netflix.
Dexter star Michael C Hall arrives at the Showtime Celebrates 8 Seasons Of "Dexter" at Milk Studios on June 15, 2013 in Hollywood, California.
Dexter star Michael C Hall arrives at the Showtime Celebrates 8 Seasons Of "Dexter" at Milk Studios on June 15, 2013 in Hollywood, California.Why Is 'Dexter' Leaving Netflix?
Netflix has not announced the reason Dexter is leaving the service on June 19. However, it had been on the service before, and was removed in 2020 after a deal between Netflix and Showtime expired.
Netflix licenses shows and movies, and when that license expires, it is removed from the platform if it a new deal isn't reached between both parties. This can come down to whether the rights to the title are still available, how much it costs to license, and how popular a series or movie is in a given region, according to Netflix's Help Center.
Additionally, a new spin-off series of the main show, titled Dexter: Resurrection, is due to premiere on July 11, exclusively on rival streaming service Paramount+.
Paramount owns the rights to the Dexter franchise, with its streaming platform also home to other spin-off series Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Original Sin.
What Do Fans Think About 'Dexter' Leaving Netflix?
There has been a big reaction to Dexter leaving Netflix on June 19, particularly from millennials—who would have been teenagers and young adults when the series was first released, and became part of its key audience.
Gen Z viewers who have discovered the series for the first time since it was added to the service have also shared their dismay. According to 2023 data from Statista, 41 percent of millennials reported watching Netflix daily, followed by Gen Z consumers at 34 percent. Just 14 percent of the older generation of baby boomers, reported daily use of the platform.
On X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote: "Netflix always ruins everything man I just started watching Dexter and it's leaving tomorrow," as another shared the similar sentiment: "I just got into Dexter and now it's leaving Netflix...in 23 hours."
"Nobody told me that Dexter was being removed from Netflix tomorrow so I'm bingeing the next four seasons," one user declared, as one tagged Netflix directly and said: "come on now! I just started watching Dexter and you're taking it away!!! WHHHYYYYYYY!"
On TikTok, users were just as frustrated, as one commented on a video by @bingetownjim discussing the removal: "Netflix removing anything good at this point."
"Bro I just got to season five, this has to be a joke," another lamented, as one wrote: "I'M ALMOST DONE JUST GIVE ME A BIT LONGER PLEASE."
Stock image of a person using a remote to browse a streaming service.
Stock image of a person using a remote to browse a streaming service.Where Can I Watch 'Dexter' After It Leaves Netflix?
In the United States, viewers will only be able to watch Dexter and its spin-off series on Paramount+—or, going old-school and buying the DVDs.
Those wishing to scratch their Dexter itch can also watch episodes on Apple TV, but it will cost from $2.99 per episode, according to Just Watch.
Other countries may have Dexter on Netflix for a little while longer, as What's On Netflix reports the show may depart on March 31, 2026 in the likes of the United Kingdom and Canada. This would mark exactly two years since it was added to the service in those regions.
Newsweek has contacted Netflix via email for comment on this story.
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