If you’ve been bingeing season 3 lately, you probably found yourself wondering about the guy who somehow managed to become Dexter Morgan’s best friend and his worst nightmare all at once. The charismatic, slightly unhinged Assistant District Attorney Miguel Prado is a massive fan favorite for a reason.
So, who plays Miguel in Dexter? That would be the legendary Jimmy Smits.
He didn’t just show up for a paycheck. Honestly, Smits brought a level of intensity to the show that shifted the entire dynamic of the series. Before Miguel Prado came along, Dexter was a lone wolf. Suddenly, he had a "murder buddy," and the chemistry between Smits and Michael C. Hall was basically electric.
The Man Behind the Suits
Jimmy Smits wasn't exactly a newcomer when he joined the cast in 2008. If you’re a fan of classic TV, you’ve definitely seen him before. He was the moral center of NYPD Blue as Bobby Simone and played the slick Victor Sifuentes on L.A. Law.
📖 Related: Howie Mandel Cupcake Picture: What Really Happened With That Viral Post
He’s also Bail Organa in the Star Wars prequels. Yeah, Miguel Prado is Princess Leia’s adoptive dad. Talk about range.
When the showrunners approached Smits for the role of Miguel, he wasn't looking for a guest spot. But once they explained the arc—the idea of a man of the law slowly descending into a vigilante psychopath—he was all in. It was a complete 180 from the "good guy" roles he was known for.
Why Miguel Prado Was Different
Most of Dexter’s enemies were just monsters he had to put down. Miguel was different. He was a friend. He was someone Dexter actually wanted to trust.
👉 See also: Austin & Ally Maddie Ziegler Episode: What Really Happened in Homework & Hidden Talents
Smits played the role with this booming, theatrical energy. One minute he’s hugging Dexter and calling him "brother," and the next he’s screaming on a rooftop about how he can do whatever he wants because he’s the ADA. "They said that I'm ready to be challenged," Smits recalled in an interview with TV Guide, and he certainly lived up to it.
The most famous (and terrifying) behind-the-scenes story involves a real knife. While filming the scene where Miguel kills Billy Fleeter, Smits accidentally grabbed a real knife instead of the prop. He actually stabbed stuntman Jeff Chase. Luckily, Chase was wearing a plastic protector over his chest, but Smits still hit the mark with enough force to leave everyone on set shaken. It’s a testament to how "in the zone" he was.
A Legacy That Still Holds Up
Even years later, Miguel Prado is often ranked as the second-best villain in the show’s history, usually only losing the top spot to John Lithgow’s Trinity Killer.
✨ Don't miss: Kiss My Eyes and Lay Me to Sleep: The Dark Folklore of a Viral Lullaby
Smits earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor for this performance. He made us believe that even a "good man" could be corrupted by the power of the kill. He wasn't just a foil; he was a mirror.
Interestingly, with the 2025 release of Dexter: Resurrection, Smits actually made a surprise return in the premiere episode "A Beating Heart." Seeing him back in the Dexter universe—even if it's in a visionary or flashback capacity—reminded everyone why that season 3 arc was so special.
What to Watch Next
If you loved Smits in Dexter, you should check out his other heavy-hitting roles to see his full spectrum:
- Sons of Anarchy: He plays Nero Padilla, a "companionator" who is somehow both gentle and incredibly dangerous.
- The West Wing: He plays Matt Santos, a congressman running for President. It’s the polar opposite of Miguel Prado.
- NYPD Blue: For the classic Smits performance that made him a household name.
The best way to appreciate what Smits did in Dexter is to re-watch the "rooftop scene" in episode 10. Pay attention to the way his voice drops when he tells Dexter, "I might just have to look into you." It’s pure chills. If you're looking for more behind-the-scenes trivia, the Dexter Wrap-Up Podcast has some great archival segments featuring Smits discussing how he built the character's ego.