Jennifer Carpenter

We heard previously about a new character coming to "Dexter" for its eighth and possibly final season - Dr. Evelyn Vogel, a formidable and smart neuro-psychiatrist in her late 50s who assists the law in profiling criminals - and now we know who's playing her!

We learned over the weekend that Showtime is bumping up the Season 8 return of "Dexter" to June 30th, and the network has already released the first promo video for the show.

During today's Television Critics Assoc preview event, Showtime announced "Dexter" is splitting off from its current partner, "Homeland," and premiering early - in the summer to be exact - but refused to confirm that "Dexter" will, in fact, end after its eight season.

It's only been a few weeks since Season 7 of "Dexter" wrapped up, but already the powers-that-be have announced they will introduce two major recurring characters in the upcoming eighth (and likely final) season — and both could spell trouble for Dex and Deb.

One generic title has been exchanged for one cliche title as the Jennifer Carpenter spooker has gone from being known as The Occult to The Devil's Rapture. Maybe the studio should go to the well a third time?

We actually rubbed our eyes to make sure we were really seeing this happen. The Factory starring John Cusack and Jennifer Carpenter is finally getting a home video release. It sure has been a long road considering the flick went into production during 2007.

A lot of people, including some Dread Central staff members, have fawned over this season of "Dexter." Me personally? Not so much. In fact, I was happy to hear that next season would be the last. However, it seems as if Showtime may have other plans.

We're still not sure how Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) managed to hug a bloody corpse at the end of last night's finale of "Dexter" without getting a drop of the red stuff on her party dress, but maybe this final "Wrap-up" podcast of Season 7 will shed some light on things. If not, at least we get to hear once again from Sgt. Doakes!

"Dexter" Season 7 went out on a high note - definitely good enough to ensure we'll be back for the eight and final season when it returns in 2013. In the meantime, spend a few minutes with executive producer Scott Buck discussing what went down in the finale and what's coming up.

Season 7 of "Dexter" was a mixed bag with a few bright spots (like the great performances by Yvonne Strahovski and Ray Stevenson), but after next Sunday it'll just be a memory. As we gear up for the finale, "Surprise, Motherf**ker!", check out the episode's preview and a pair of clips.

We've been a fan of actor Timothy Olyphant for years now, from Scream 2 to Go to "Deadwood" to "Justified," and now we're looking forward to seeing what he brings to the horror-western-cannibal tale Bone Tomahawk.

After tonight's episode, it's looking like "Dexter" is back on track to end the season on a high note, and with just two episodes left, it couldn't have come at a better time! And the upcoming Episode 7.11 is pretty timely, too, with its title of "Do You See What I See?" Festive!

It's been an interesting (if not implausible) season for everyone's favorite psycho-killing serial killer, Dexter Morgan, and with the season finale on the horizon, Showtime is promising that things are coming to a boiling head.

Sadly, the best part of this season of "Dexter"--namely, guest star Ray Stevenson--has come to an end, but he showed up to record Showtime's podcast for Episode 7.09, "Helter Skelter," and we have it for your listening pleasure right here.

I don't get some people's love for this season of "Dexter"; to me it's turned eye-rollingly bad, but there are two bright spots: First, we only have three episodes left, and second, Jim Beaver guest stars in next week's Episode 7.10, "The Dark... Whatever."