Uma Thurman in the New 'Dexter': Secrets of the Role and What the Actress Revealed About Filming

Attention: This article contains spoilers for the first season of 'Dexter: Resurrection'

The star of 'Kill Bill' returned to television as a dangerous bodyguard of a billionaire psychopath. We tell you what is known about the character Charlie and why Uma Thurman decided to join the cult franchise.

Main points from the article:

• Uma Thurman plays Charlie — head of security for the mysterious billionaire Leon Preter (Peter Dinklage);
• The character is described as a former special forces officer who worked in elite security organizations;
• The actress admitted: 'She is not quite what she seems. But on the surface, she's tough';
• The filming took place in New York, which was an important factor for Thurman as a mother;
• Writers expanded Charlie's role after casting Thurman.

Who is Charlie and why she is dangerous

In 'Dexter: Resurrection' (2025, IMDb rating — 8.8), Uma Thurman portrays Charlotte 'Charlie' Brown — the head of security for the enigmatic billionaire Leon Preter. The official character description: a former special forces officer who worked in various elite private security organizations before becoming 'a clever and meticulous right hand of Preter'.

However, Thurman gives a more intriguing description: 'She is not quite what she seems. But on the surface, she's tough.' This mystery is key to understanding the character. Charlie isn't just a bodyguard; she 'solved' problems for her boss, who collects serial killers.

Interesting fact: the role of Charlie was initially considered for Jodie Foster, but in the end it went to Thurman. Showrunner Clyde Phillips admitted that after casting the star of 'The Wire', writers rewrote several scenes to deepen the character.

Secrets of the Filming Process

Thurman revealed that the location of filming was a deciding factor in accepting the role. As a mother, she valued the opportunity to work in New York: 'To be honest, I live for this. Don't tell anyone — but I was afraid. You know what I mean, there's the school year, right?'

For an actress who has been traveling for decades, working from home was a real gift: 'Being an actor in the entertainment industry can be one of the best jobs in the world — especially when you can sleep in your own bed. Then it becomes the best job in the world.'

Thurman also admitted to her long-standing love for the franchise: 'I'm a fan, so this seemed like a fun adventure.' She called the scripts 'absolutely gripping' and highlighted special pleasure in working with Michael C. Hall.

Physical Training and Action Scenes

Showrunner Clyde Phillips confirmed that Thurman handled action scenes very well: 'Yes. She's already quite agile and physically prepared. There will be more shooting. She does it really well.'

Notably, Charlie's debut scene was filmed to the tune of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' 'Red Right Hand' — a song famous from the 'Scream' movies. Phillips revealed: 'It was an intentional choice. It's funny that in this song, there’s a gong sound. It was Uma's idea to film her from behind until the moment she removes her mask, and we hit the gong from 'Red Right Hand'.'

Spoilers: Charlie's Fate in the First Season

At the end of the first season, Charlie finds herself in a difficult situation. Dexter discovers compromising files on her boss Preter, including materials that could harm Charlie herself. He offers to destroy them in exchange for a safe escape for himself and Harrison, but she refuses.

Thurman hinted at the internal conflict of the character: 'I think we start to understand that Charlie found herself in a very cozy job, which turns out to be quite strange. And for various personal reasons, she has to deal with it. Throughout the season, you see how this weighs on her.'

After Preter's death at Dexter’s hands, Charlie’s fate remains unclear, leaving room for intrigue in the second season.

Future Plans

Thurman has already expressed her desire to return in the second season. Phillips confirmed: 'When we first wrote Uma's character, it was a pretty simple role. Once we got Uma, the writer and I sat down and wrote several meaningful scenes for her so she wasn't just a bodyguard. We humanized her, and she was very grateful for that. She called and said she wanted to return next year.'

In the casting of 'Dexter: Resurrection', Thurman is listed as second after Michael C. Hall, underscoring the importance of her role in the project. Given the success of the first season (95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and the actress’s enthusiasm, Charlie's return seems almost inevitable.

Why This Matters for Thurman's Career

For the 55-year-old actress, her role in 'Dexter' marked a successful return to serious drama after a string of less prominent projects. Thurman, whose star career peaked in the 90s and early 2000s thanks to Tarantino films, found herself back in the spotlight of critics and audiences.

Participation in a prestigious series allowed her to showcase her acting range — from physical scenes to psychological nuances of the character, balancing loyalty and moral discomfort. As critics noted, Thurman brought 'star power' and 'cool intensity' to the role, making Charlie one of the most discussed characters of the season.

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