David Zayas discusses 'Dexter: Resurrection' and the privilege of getting to play a character for so long in exclusive interview

I want to ask you about getting to build the dynamic between Dexter and Batista with Michael since the original series, and seeing it develop now in such a different way. What has been the most interesting part of how it's changed, and have the two of you had any conversations about it specifically for this series? 
David Zayas: Well, it's been, from the beginning, 20 years ago when we shot the pilot, I've had a great rapport with Michael C. Hall, who's one of the best, best actors I've ever worked with. So, we developed in the first eight years of the series, I think, there's a certain understanding that each of our characters has developed towards one another. I think that Batista's vision of Dexter is that he's a close friend and that he relies on him for advice and for different situations, and for Dexter, Batista is the person that's all heart, that means well, that's a good guy. I don't know if he feels exactly the same way Batista has felt; they're on different wavelengths, as the audience knows, but I feel there was always a connection between Batista and Dexter. And leading into this Dexter: Resurrection, now those dynamics explode with the new information I have about who Dexter really is. It's interesting how he's going to react to different things and how less trusting Batista might be, and also questioning his ability to find out why this guy spent years under his nose, and he didn't even know. So, there's a lot of dynamics going on that lead to that confrontation with Dexter and continuing on with this series. 

Can you tell me how his new suspicions about Dexter have presented a new challenge for you as an actor? You're now getting to add a layer and try something new with him.
That's a good question. I think that, as an actor, that's always a challenge that I'm looking forward to. It's a little different, Batista in season one of Dexter, even to season eight of Dexter, it's another Batista in Dexter: Resurrection, and it has to do with now he... I think sometimes when you find out, because Batista was told by LaGuerta and by Doakes that they think that Dexter is a criminal, which I didn't believe because you don't believe those things about your close friends, but now with all the evidence that's taken place, with all the evidence that he received, particularly from Chief Bishop in Iron Lake, New York, during Dexter: New Blood when he was called and he was on his way, and then Batista was on his way to Iron Lake and that's how the series ended with Dexter being shot by his son, Harrison. I think that all that accumulation of information is something that... it's almost like the innocence is chipped away in Batista. He trusted, he believed in people, and he's starting to learn that, yeah, he wasn't told the truth, and he wasn't really involved in all that. 

I also love how you're getting to grow and evolve with a character during your own life. Can you tell me what you enjoy most about that experience, getting to play one character throughout different chapters in your life? 
Yes, it's a privilege. It's very rare that you get to play a character 20 years ago all the way till now. It gives you so much to work with. That's why I love series work and character work, and this is the longest character that I've ever played, and I think it's just wonderful. I feel so honored that I'm still involved in this story and that my character has developed in a certain way, sometimes negative, sometimes positive. But it's really a joy to be able to start in 2005, 2006, when we started to 2025 right now and how he grows as a human is, you know, sometimes I get cars that go by, roll their window down, and they go, "Batista," and they're 18 year old kids that probably weren't even born when we did it. So what's great also about streaming is that everyone goes back and sees the older episodes, and they catch up to this new episode of Dexter: Resurrection, and a lot of those questions are answered if you watch the series from the beginning. 

Is there a scene or a line from Dexter, Dexter: New Blood, or Dexter: Original Sin that seemed insignificant to you at the time of filming or watching, but has a new meaning after Dexter: Resurrection? 
There's a few of those moments, but the one that comes out to me is that in season two, there is, I think towards the end, I wish I could tell you the episode, there is a scene where Lila sets up Batista to get even with Dexter, if you remember that. Then Dexter finds a way to get me out of this trouble, and he says one thing to me, and I think I even have the line, what he says to me is, "If there's anyone else that I'd like to be like, it would be you, Angel." And I looked at him and I said, "I don't know what that means, but I appreciate it." I kind of understand, in this new character, what that means now, and so that leans out to me. There's a few of those moments throughout the series that now have a whole different meaning about it, but that's one that comes out, that stays in my head. 

Can you tell me about Batista's refusal to back off despite that moment in episode seven, with Dexter threatening him in the car? What do you think that says about his character, and what was that like for you to film? 
Well, in my opinion, I think it's too late. I think Batista's in it. He's in it, he said he's not going to be fooled again. He's going to get the evidence, he's going to do it the right, legal way. He's going to try and convince the authorities where he's at, which he has no authority in New York City, that this is the man that we're looking for. So basically, Batista knows  it's the challenge of getting the evidence to convince the people that have the power and the authority to do anything about it for them to act. But aside from that, I think he's at a point of no return where he's got to keep going after him. I think that's going to be continuous. 

We saw that Batista left his AirPods in Dexter's car to track him, which was such a brilliant move. Can you preview how this is possibly going to give him an upper hand in his investigation, but also the pitfalls it might have? We know with these sorts of situations, nothing ever goes to plan, right? 
Right. I will say that the idea that in episode seven, when Batista purposely left his AirPods in his car, is he obviously wants to catch him in the act. He wants to catch him in the act so that there'll be no doubt that he is who he is, and I feel like Batista understands the danger and he's willing to step up to it to do what's right. 

He's already put the pieces together, and he knows in his gut it's true, but hypothetically, in the future, if he does actually get to catch Dexter in the act and see it, what do you think that would do to him? Because it's one thing to tell yourself and imagine something, but I feel like it's a whole different thing to visually witness it, especially when it is someone you have such a relationship with. 
Well, I think that's what he's expecting, but it'll be shocking nonetheless if I walked in on anybody doing what he does in his kill room. That would be very shocking to me. But I think that Batista has thought these things through, and that he understands, and plus, he was a homicide detective for over 30 years. He's always in that world, that murder world, you know? So, as shocking as it would be, I don't think it would freeze him.

Dexter: Resurrection has had some incredible guest stars this season; everyone's been amazing. Who has been your favorite to see in action on the show, and is there anyone you would have liked to work with more? 
I would have liked to work with all of them, 'cause every actor in this season that comes in, you know, the thing is, you observe it when you walk into the set and the work ethic of everybody, everybody cares about what they're doing. Everybody is really concerned as to making sure they tell the best story they possibly can. From the writers, from the great directors, from the production, from the crew, from the camera guys, and then, of course, from all the other actors. I think that a lot of the actors who have worked [on] this season have really stepped up and have done the best work of their careers, especially somebody like Jack Alcott, who, working with him face to face, made me realize, 'Wow, he has chops, he cares about what he does, and his work ethic is excellent.' Then, of course, I was a little starstruck with Uma Thurman, but she's fantastic. She's wonderful, and she's fantastic in what she does, and so pleasant to be around. And of course, Peter Dinklage, who's just one of the best around, and I've been a fan of him for a long time. Along with the detectives that I'm working with, Kadia Saraf and Dominic Fumusa, those two, it's been a joy to work with them and try to develop character with them throughout this year. Working alongside the wonderful, even though we have no scenes, James Remar. It's great to have him back in the show, because he brings a certain dimension to this show that is just irreplaceable, and like I said, even though I have no scenes with him, just watching him work is inspiring to me. 

With the original series going into streaming and new generations discovering it, we've gotten to see a prequel and spin-offs. Why do you think it's earned that, since it is so rare for projects to even be properly concluded right now? There's still such excitement all these years later, which is such an incredible testament to your work and everyone else involved. 
Yeah, well, I think all of that is a testament to the great writing of this show, the great character development of this show, and it doesn't matter if it's 20 years, 10 years ago, or now, good writing will always just excite new viewers to experience a dynamic story told really well. I think, to me, it boils down to the writing and, of course, all of us really caring about what we do and going in there trying to tell the best story we can.