In the dark world of the popular TV series Dexter, one character that has turned out to be genuinely unforgettable is Arthur Mitchell, aka the Trinity Killer, portrayed by the acclaimed actor John Lithgow. The actor joined the fourth season of the crime drama, starring alongside Michael C. Hall as the season’s antagonist. While he would win several accolades for his role in the series, the actor was not initially interested in the offer.
John Lithgow Initially Rejected the Offer to Star in Dexter
Showrunners Clyde Phillips and John Goldwyn were eager to cast John Lithgow as Dexter season 4’s antagonist, so much so that they told him the entire plot, including the final twist. However, the 78-year-old actor was still not interested and refused the offer.
“Having heard all of that, I said ‘no,’” he shared during an interview with GQ before adding, “I won’t tell anybody about this, but no, I’m not doing that.” Lithgow gave it a second thought after his agent and lawyer suggested he accept the offer. “So I said yes and had a great time doing it,” he shared.
Despite being reluctant at first, the Cliffhanger actor enjoyed working on the series and had a great time performing his role. While he did eventually play the character, there are other acclaimed actors who could have brought a different, but equally spine-chilling dimension to the Trinity Killer.
Actors Who Had the Potential to Excel as the Trinity Killer
Jeremy Irons
Jeremy Irons has embodied several characters throughout his decades-long career. However, the actor is often seen donning the title of the villain of the story. Whether it is Disney’s The Lion King or taking the villainous roles in Dungeons & Dragons, he always makes for a compelling villain. He has also said that he is “slightly drawn” to villainous characters and finds them “more interesting.”
And the actor could have done the same with the complicated character in Dexter as well. He could have brought out a more compelling and unique interpretation of the Trinity Killer. While it is uncertain if Irons’ version of the character would have been good in the same way as John Lithgow’s, considering his credits and the actor’s interest in the villainous characters, he could have been a bit different but equally challenging for the series’ protagonist.
Kevin Spacey
The Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is also known for delivering powerful and remarkable performances. And in many ways, he also has the qualities to embody the Trinity Killer in Dexter perfectly. Spacey has portrayed complex and sinister characters, having the same traits as the Trinity Killer, who appears to be a mild-mannered family man on the surface but hides a wicked personality inside him. Spacey can also convey a wide range of emotions, which would have been crucial for playing a character like Trinity Killer.
Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon has had a long and diverse career spanning multiple genres. Given his impressive range of performances, the actor has the charisma and emotional depth to play a character as complicated as Trinity Killer. The award-winning actor can generate intrigue around his roles. While it’s pretty fascinating to consider The Footloose star taking on one of the most notorious characters in Dexter, Lithgow became the showrunners’ ultimate choice for the role.
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Bryan Cranston
One of the most highly acclaimed actors in Hollywood, Bryan Cranston, is popularly known for portraying Walter White in the Breaking Bad series. Considering his exceptional performance as one of the most fascinating and complex characters in the history of television, Cranston wouldn’t have been an inadequate choice for the role of Trinity Killer in Dexter. John Lithgow certainly gave an iconic performance as the notorious killer in the crime drama, but Cranston’s experience of establishing a mysterious and intriguing character makes him an excellent alternative for the role.
Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins, renowned for his Oscar-winning performance as Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 psychological horror thriller The Silence of the Lambs, would have delivered an extremely chilling and unforgettable performance. The actor has the skills, charisma, and talent. He could have brought out the multifaceted dimension of the character along with going into his psychological depth and would have undoubtedly brought his own mesmerizing and menacing interpretation to the character.
Mads Mikkelsen
Mads Mikkelsen is also one of the actors who has portrayed the complex character of Hannibal Lecter, a forensic psychiatrist who is secretly a serial killer and cannibalist. However, it’s not the only antagonistic character he has portrayed in his decades-long career. Mikkelsen is known for putting forth his dark side as an actor in several acclaimed movies. He could have done the same in Dexter as well, leading to another intriguing alternative for a Trinity Killer that could have captivated the audience with his subtle and chilling portrayal of the character.
Dexter is available on Showtime,
