The Dexter series finale was a big success for Showtime, at least in terms of ratings. The last episode attracted a network record 3.3 million viewers, although many fans were not thoroughly pleased with the way the series ended. During the network's TCA Winter Tour presentation today, network president David Nevins addressed the possibility of a spin-off series, which he said was something that is being discussed internally.

"It's something we continue to talk about. If we were to do it, we would have to have a very good reason to do it. It would have to feel like it's a new show. I'm not interested in doing it if it's just a continuation. There have been some light, ongoing conversations. It hasn't really gone anywhere yet."

However, when asked who the series would focus on, which some guessed would be Yvonne Strahovski's Hannah McKay, David Nevins said that he still wants Michael C. Hall to be involved.

"It would have to involve Michael (C. Hall)."

When asked if that meant he wants Michael C. Hall to produce or return as Dexter Morgan on camera, David Nevins said he wants the actor to come back and star in the show, which seems to contradict what he was saying earlier about the spin-off not being a continuation.

"I think if we were to do it, I would only do it if it with Michael."

Be warned, the rest of this article contains spoilers, if you have not seen the Dexter series finale, so read on at your own risk.

David Nevins also spoke about the criticisms of Dexter's series finale, defending the producers' choices.

"The fundamental design of where they ended Dexter was really well-conceived. He had to sacrifice the one person who was closest to him in the world and he had to leave and that was where it was headed for a very long time."

Executive producer John Goldwyn revealed it was Showtime's mandate that Dexter Morgan lived at the end, but he also admitted the producers never even considered killing him.

"Honestly, it was never even discussed, the idea of killing him. The people who were really in the center, which was Michael, Scott Buck, Sara Colleton, it was never even... no one even brought up the idea. It wasn't discussed."

When asked whether or not they wanted to keep him alive for another series, David Nevins had this to say.

"I don't know. I'm not sure. And it remains to be seen whether they're going to want to do it, whether I'm going to want to do it. But they never felt like killing Dexter was the right end."

David Nevins also confirmed again that he wants to see a Dexter spin-off that features the title character, which isn't exactly how spin-offs work, but he wants to bring a new configuration to the table.

"We're at the very preliminary stage. But I think that show is that character and it's not been done in television. If I were to do something, I would want to do Dexter in a new concept and configuration. I want it to feel different - not just a continuation of the old show."