Dexter - Interview with Jennifer Carpenter

Congratulations on the show's best season-premiere ratings yet.
Oh, wow, thanks. I don't really pay attention to that, but I'm glad it's doing well. I sort of enjoy the fact that we're in a bubble when we're shooting it. I feel like if I were imagining people really watching it, or the pressure of numbers, that maybe I wouldn't work as well [laughs].

What was your reaction to learning that Deb was going to be promoted?
It's pretty unbelievable. I mean, only on TV would I skip so many levels and shoot straight up to lieutenant. But my insecurities about the fictitious promotion were exactly where I needed to be with the character. So it all sort of worked. It's odd to be Batista's boss, when I feel like he really did earn it and has been a mentor; it's awkward. But she's really taken the lead on every major case that's come through the office.

Although she's missing the one obvious thing, which is that her brother's a serial killer.
Exactly. That is a very good point [laughs].

Source: Full interview @ Vulture