Terry Morrow: Don't think 'Dexter' is dead yet

Showtime Entertainment President David Nevins isn't sticking a fork in "Dexter" just yet.

Though the dark drama has been renewed for two more seasons, "Dexter" may or may not end after that. Nevins said Showtime is open to the idea of "Dexter" sticking around longer perhaps.

Calling the two seasons "a likely end point," Nevins said the next two seasons will have a "clear end game" to it but "that can change."

Among the turns: Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) witnesses her brother, Dexter (Michael C. Hall), in the middle of a murder. Since she's running her police department, it could make for a messier situation.

On top of it, Debra has admitted she has romantic feelings for Dexter, who is her adopted brother. In real life, Hall and Carpenter were married, but divorced each other in 2010.

Nevins said the fact the show's two leaders are divorced from each other now but will have a romance on-screen "makes for interesting ripples in the show."

Aside from the inside quirk of having a divorced couple playing characters who may embark on a romance, Nevins admitted, "there is a certain taboo" to having an adopted brother and sister get together.

With the new twists, it's "time to shake up" the show, Nevins said.

In other Showtime developments:

n Documentaries are being developed on Dick Cheney, Suge Knight and Richard Pryor, with the Pryor one having the blessing of his family. Filmmaker R.J. Cutler is chronicling a year in Cheney's life.

n "Nurse Jackie," "The Big C" and "The Borgias" will return on April 8.

When "Nurse Jackie" returns, the title character is "not in the same place she was when the show started," Nevins said.

Word on whether "Nurse Jackie" will continue beyond 2012 has not been decided yet, he said.

Showtime is "waiting to see if there's life" left in the show before deciding if it will be back beyond this year, Nevins said.

n "Episodes" will return for its second season this summer. Showtime has big expectations for it.

Nevins said he hopes the new season will be when the show become a "breakout" for Showtime. Critics are loving it, and the series has already drawn Emmy attention.

The 2012 season will have nine episodes.

n Showtime has hit a home run with "Homeland," which will be back for a second season.

The espionage drama starring Claire Danes was the highest-rated freshman series in Showtime's history. Many critics hailed it as the best series of 2011.

What's coming in season two, coming later this year? Brody and Carrie have only just begun, Nevins said. Showtime has 21 million subscribers.

Terry Morrow may be reached at 865-342-6445 or morrowt@knoxville.com.

© 2012 Knoxville.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.