"Dexter" is certainly a bit different from the series Smits has done before. This show about a serial killer (Hall) who only kills other killers isn't exactly "L.A. Law," "NYPD Blue," "The West Wing" or "Cane."

As the third season of "Dexter" begins (Sunday, 10 p.m., Showtime), Smits' character — Miguel Prado, an assistant district attorney with political ambitions — and Dexter form an unlikely friendship. He "is really the first adult friend that Dexter has had," said executive producer Clyde Phillips. "And it's new to him.... We get into the whole thing of — how demented is (Dexter) really? And whether that's camouflage or whether it's genuine is something that we continue to explore.

"But as that friendship progresses, Dexter becomes more and more open with the Jimmy Smits character and is able to talk ... for the first time and open up a little bit about who he is. And that's what we're going to explore this year."

If you've only watched "Dexter" when the first season was repeated on CBS, remember the Showtime version is greatly different. It's loaded with blood, violence and adult situations.

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com