Actress Reese Antoinette spoke about starring in the new crime drama series “Dexter: Resurrection,” which premiered on July 11th on Paramount+ with Showtime.
How was your experience in “Dexter: Resurrection”?
Being part of Dexter: Resurrection has been surreal. I am a longtime fan of the show so stepping onto set as a character in this universe felt like slipping into a dream I didn’t want to wake up from.
Playing Joy, who’s an acupuncturist, gave me the chance to explore someone grounded yet unexpected. It was equal parts thriller, therapy, and a full-circle moment.”
What did you like the most about your character Joy?
What I loved most about Joy is her deep love for family. She’s someone who cares fiercely and protects quietly.
There’s a tenderness beneath her stillness, and a complexity beneath her calm—and that duality made her such a beautiful character to explore.
What did the “Dexter: Resurrection” screenplay teach you about yourself?
The Dexter: Resurrection script reminded me how much I’m drawn to the gray areas—morally, emotionally, spiritually. It pushed me to lean into nuance, to trust the silences, the subtext, the things unsaid.
I realized how much I love playing characters who live in that in-between space, who are navigating danger and vulnerability at the same time. It also reminded me that I’m braver than I think—especially when stepping into a world I once watched from the couch.
How does it feel to be an actress in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent)
It’s wild—in the best and weirdest ways. Being an actress now means your work can reach people instantly, globally, and sometimes out of context in a meme.
Streaming has opened doors for more diverse stories, more creators, and more visibility, which I love.
At the same time, social media means you’re not just playing a character—you’re also navigating how much of you to share.
It’s a balance between access and mystery, art and algorithm. But ultimately, I think it’s an exciting time to tell stories.
What do your plans for the future include?
More storytelling, more risk-taking, and more joy—on screen and off. I want to keep diving into complex characters, especially women who surprise you.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors?
Protect your peace and curiosity. The industry will test your confidence, your patience, and your sense of self—so stay rooted in why you started. Take the class. Do the play.
Make the short film with your friends. Say “yes” to the things that scare you in a good way. Your path won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s a gift.
Keep showing up, keep listening, and don’t be afraid to bring your full, complicated, beautiful self into the room.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success, to me, means being my unapologetic self—on screen, in rooms, and in life.
It’s being part of stories I genuinely love, staying present for the people who ground me, and waking up excited to do what I do.
I’ve always loved that saying, ‘Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life’—and while some days will definitely still feel like work, the joy makes it all worth it.
What would you like to tell our readers about “Dexter: Resurrection”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
“Dexter: Resurrection” isn’t just picking up where we left off—it’s raising the stakes.
The suspense, the sharp turns, the beautifully blurred lines between right and wrong—they’re all back, but with a new energy.
I can’t wait for the Dexterverse to meet the Kamara family, and see how New York City’s shadows, secrets, and skyline shape this next chapter.
To learn more about Reese Antoinette, follow her on Instagram.
