Dexter: Every Main Character Ranked Worst To Best

Dexter's ill-fated wife often served as a light in the lead character's darkness during her 4 season tenure. Initially looked upon as a tool in his disguise as a normal person, Dexter grows to love both Rita and her kids. Struggling with the trauma of her ex-husband's brutal abuse, Rita's confidence gradually returns with her becoming far more assertive by the time she and Dexter get hitched.

Played with a warm sensitivity by Julie Benz, it was easy to grow attached to the Rita character. Her (literal) bloodbath of a death scene remains one of the most shocking TV moments ever. Falling victim to John Lithgow's disgustingly evil Arthur Mitchell, the writers cruelly let us think it's all over in the final moments of the season 4 finale. Triumphant and ready to go on his honeymoon, Dexter discovers her body and his son in a pool of her blood. It's horrifying stuff, an unforgivingly dark moment even by the standards of this macabre series.

After playing such a vital role from the beginning, Rita's death essentially re-set the entire series. The difference between her 4 seasons and the 4 that followed is like night and day.