Julie Benz, known for her captivating portrayal of Rita Bennett in the hit Showtime series Dexter, offers a fascinating glimpse into the show’s aesthetic and her character’s complex nature. In this insightful interview, Benz delves into the visual aspects of Dexter, particularly its celebrated opening credits and the “visual warmth” that permeates Rita’s scenes, especially those highlighting her vulnerability and intimate moments. She also reflects on the raw and real portrayal of Rita, embracing imperfections and connecting with the character’s emotional depths.
The opening credits of Dexter are widely acclaimed for their unique and unsettling charm. Benz wholeheartedly agrees, describing them as “brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. They’re creepy; they’re cool. Everything that the show is gets encapsulated in those opening credits. A certain genius was at work when they were put together.” This meticulous attention to detail extends to the overall visual style of the show, which Benz attributes to director of photography Romeo Tirone. “We shoot in high-def, and he does a great job of making it look like we’re on film,” she notes, praising the consistent look maintained by the directors, making Dexter visually distinct on television.
High definition filming can be unforgiving, but Benz embraces the honesty it brings to the screen, especially for her character, Rita, who isn’t defined by glamour. “I still think they make me look way too pretty!” she laughs, recalling a scene from Season 1: “The shot in Season 1 where I’m watering the lemon tree is probably one of the most beautiful shots of me ever!” She humorously thanks the camera and lighting departments for enhancing Rita’s on-screen presence. Benz reveals the deliberate use of lighting to create “visual warmth” around Rita, a conscious choice by the producers to evoke a specific feeling in the show.
When asked about examples of “visual warmth” in Season 2, Benz is candid. “I’ll be blunt and perfectly honest: any of the love scenes, the nude scenes. There you go!” she exclaims. She playfully acknowledges the flattering portrayal, “Oh God, they make me look amazing, yes! They make me look beautiful.” This comfort with her appearance allows for a realistic portrayal of Rita’s emotions. “You get to see everything. When I don’t get a lot of sleep, you see it!” Benz laughs, emphasizing the freedom in portraying raw vulnerability. She contrasts this with her experiences on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, where makeup was heavily used even in death scenes. Dexter‘s approach is different: “Let’s really show this person dying, you know?” This raw portrayal, however, sometimes leads to audience reactions about her appearance, highlighting the blurring lines between actress and character in viewers’ minds.
Benz appreciates playing a character like Rita, who is “raw and out there.” She sees Rita as a “real woman with wrinkles and age, and all that good stuff. What you see is it.” She connects deeply with Rita’s vulnerability and insecurities, even without sharing a similar abusive background. “Rita is definitely the more vulnerable side of myself… I just have to be open and relaxed and allow myself to be vulnerable.” Interestingly, playing Rita impacts Benz’s personal life: “whenever I play Rita, I’m much more emotional in my own life. I end up sighing a lot more.” When questioned if this is positive or negative, she simply states, “It’s just a thing,” leaving the interpretation open-ended.
Reflecting on Season 2’s visuals beyond her own character, Benz highlights scenes with Dexter and Lyla, particularly in the finale, and the impactful depiction of the fires Lyla sets. She praises the crew’s ability to convey the Miami atmosphere: “you feel the sweat, you feel the heat, you feel Miami, you feel the weight of the air on film. Our people did a good job of creating the heaviness of that air.”
Benz shares her perspective on commentary tracks, favoring those from writers and creators over actor-heavy ones, which she finds often devolve into jokes. She cites Sly Stallone’s commentary on Rocky Balboa as an example of insightful commentary, praising Stallone’s articulate and specific discussion of his creative process as a director and filmmaker.
The interview shifts to the evolving relationship between Rita and Dexter, especially after the dramatic events of Season 2. Benz believes Rita remains largely oblivious to Dexter’s dark secret. “I honestly believe that if she found out, she still wouldn’t believe it. She really sees the good in him, and that’s what it is. She would just never believe in a million years that he was a serial killer.” This unwavering faith in Dexter, despite underlying hints of awareness, is key to Rita’s character.
Benz acknowledges the positive influence Rita and the children have on Dexter. “She does bring out a lot of good in him, and vice-versa… He’ll protest that ‘I don’t feel anything,’ but it’s very clear he’s a different person when he’s around Rita and the kids.” She points to a scene in Season 1 where Dexter interacts with Cody as evidence of his hidden capacity for connection.
When asked about future storylines for Rita, Benz humorously expresses a desire for a new house for Rita, referencing the current one as “very dirty.” She jokingly recalls Rita’s “badass” moment of stealing a neighbor’s dog in Season 1, highlighting the limited scope of Rita’s rebellious side.
Looking ahead to Season 3 (at the time of the interview), Benz expresses excitement about Jimmy Smits joining the cast and teases “a lot of stuff happens.” She reiterates her hope for Rita and Dexter’s long-term relationship, envisioning a “happily ever after” for them. Her ideal scenario is a simple, normal life for Rita and Dexter: “Oh, he would still be doing his job in forensics and as a blood-spatter specialist. He’d find a new hobby, maybe golf or fishing. They’d move into a nice, quiet house in a nice, quiet neighborhood. And she could just focus on being a mom… They’d have a nice, quiet, simple life.” Benz concludes by emphasizing their shared desire for normalcy, a stark contrast to the extraordinary violence that surrounds their lives. For Rita and Dexter, “they don’t dream about being extraordinary, they just dream about being normal. And I think, to me, that’s what would make them the most happy: Just be normal. Or just be.”
