Showtime’s ‘Dexter’ confirmed for eighth and final season

So long, “Dexter” — it’s been nice watching you dispatch the bad guys.

Showtime confirmed Thursday that the upcoming season of its vigilante serial-killer drama will be the last. The premiere of Season 8 is scheduled for June 30.

The series stars Michael C. Hall as the title character, a troubled forensics investigator who goes to elaborate lengths to torture and kill people he thinks deserve it.

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The show helped establish Showtime as a serious contender in original programming after years of laboring in the shadows of HBO.

“When it debuted in 2006, ‘Dexter’ redefined the genre by taking the anti-hero to new heights and pushing the boundaries of the television landscape,” Matthew C. Blank, chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks, wrote in a statement. ” ‘Dexter’ paved the way for the next generation of award-winning hit Showtime series, and its cultural impact will be felt for years to come.”

The network announced the series finale news on the show’s Facebook page and also dropped a teaser reel on YouTube.

What do you think of “Dexter”? Will you watch the final season?

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Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT

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