Actress Carlye Tamaren discusses Dexter: Original Sin and her organization Not Your Daddy's Films - Exclusive Interview

      EJ Moreno talks with Carlye Tamaren from Dexter: Original Sin.

      To kick things off, I love asking about early horror experiences that sparked a passion for the genre.

      Is it okay to swear?

      Absolutely!

      The Ring really messed me up – seriously. For a long time, I took horror movies way too seriously. In my child’s mind, I felt like I didn’t sleep for two months, convinced it was real and could happen. But now that I know how films are made, I find them enjoyable and love the genre. However, The Ring is something I’ll never forget.

      I enjoy interviewing millennials, and for our generation, The Ring is always a reference point in horror. Our parents had films like The Exorcist and Jaws, while for us, it’s The Ring.

      Exactly! The Ring and The Sixth Sense.

      Oh, that girl in The Sixth Sense who vomits…

      Not for me! Definitely not!

      It’s interesting how these experiences shape our interest in the genre or even careers in it – like yours now. Tell me about your approach to Dexter and how you found the tone for your character. Dexter often balances humor with heartbreak, so how did you navigate this?

      I’m a huge fan of the original show and had a clear vision of how I wanted to approach my role. It’s not overly campy, but there’s definitely a camp aspect. I was determined not to mess this up. While it’s not campy, it does have that element, and I was really focused on getting it right.

      The creative team plays it very real, so in my audition, I aimed to portray the character as authentically and emotionally as possible. The show has this beautiful realism, and while they weave in humor, it often catches you off guard.

      I agree! The emotional range between scenes really pulls you in.

      Definitely!

      As a fan of the original Dexter, what was it like to work alongside Patrick Gibson? How did it feel to witness his interpretation of the character?

      It was a blast! During the first table read, both Dexters [Gibson and Michael C. Hall] joined via Zoom, and I think they were both unwell. Whenever they spoke, the screen would flip between them, and I was freaking out because their deliveries were so similar.

      It’s impressive to see someone nail such a specific character – it holds a special place in people's hearts. Watching him bring that to life was incredible.

      And he’s quite different in real life, which was amusing to see. As soon as we started filming, he slipped right back into that character.

      The entire cast has been fantastic. I saw you got to connect with Sarah Michelle Gellar a bit, but as a millennial dancer, please tell me you told Christina Milian that ‘Dip It Low’ was a banger back in the day.

      [laughs] Of course! I didn’t meet her until the premiere. There was a DJ playing ‘Dip It Low,’ and Christina was dancing. I knew that was my moment to approach her.

      I told her that witnessing her dance and sing to that song at the premiere for a show I’m part of was one of the most iconic moments of my life. I just expressed my admiration for her.

      How important is it to bond with your crew, even in a supporting role?

      Supporting roles can be tricky since your main objective is to advance the story. The days can be intense, followed by long gaps before filming again, so it’s strange spending significant time with these people. You have to balance staying calm while also enjoying the experience.

      What was wonderful about this cast and creative team was how evident their love for the Dexter universe was. Everyone was relaxed, and professionalism was the standard. It made it enjoyable to work alongside them and allowed for genuine quality time.

      I absorbed everything like it was a masterclass. My first scene was with Christian Slater, which was so much fun. My character was quite impaired, and playing off him added an exciting dynamic. The director, Michael Lehman, is also a legend.

      I’d like to ask about your social impact organization, Not Your Daddy’s Films. What can you share about it and its significance?

      Oh, where do I start? Not Your Daddy’s Films was founded because, as a director and long-time performer, I noticed a lack of roles I wanted to audition for. There's a shortage of opportunities, especially for women in genre filmmaking. I didn’t want to be stuck in the same roles forever – I had more to express.

      So, I began creating short films. I wanted to screen one for friends and family and secured a venue in West Hollywood. It evolved into a ladies' night as I reached out to other female directors for screenings. The response was overwhelming, with people eager to submit, volunteer