'Dexter' Third-Season Finale’s A Killer

Dexter’s third season wrapped with record ratings for a Showtime series.

The serial killer show, featuring Michael C. Hall’s Golden Globe-nominated turn as Dexter Morgan, grabbed 1.51 million viewers on Sunday night during its 9 p.m. premiere, Showtime’s highest total since Nielsen Media Research began measuring premium network programs on an individual basis back in 2004. 


Including the 491,000 who watched the encore at 11 p.m., Dexter cumed 1.99 million viewers on Dec. 14, according to Nielsen data, Showtime’s highest delivery for an original series since 2004.

The sophomore-season concluder of Californication also performed well, drawing 631,000 watchers in its lead-out position at 10 p.m., the best for the David Duchovny-starrer this season. Another 322,000 tuned in the encore edition, immediately following at 10:30 p.m. that night.  

In addition to Hall, Dexter also received a Golden Globe nomination for best drama, while Duchovny and Californication received the equivalent nods in the comedy categories.