SHOWTIME ANNOUNCES KEY CASTINGS FOR DEXTER & THE BIG C

Shawn Hatosy, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Brian Cox Sign on as Guest Stars

Julie Benz to make guest appearance on DEXTER

LOS ANGELES, CA - (June 14, 2010) - SHOWTIME has announced some key talent castings for some of its acclaimed returning and new original series. For DEXTER, noted actors Shawn Hatosy and Maria Doyle Kennedy are signing on as 5th season guest stars and Julie Benz, whose character Rita was found dead in the 4th season finale, will make a guest appearance in one episode of the acclaimed drama series, premiering this fall. Additionally, award-winning actor Brian Cox will also appear in one episode of THE BIG C, which debuts August 16th at 10:30p PT/ET.

Shawn Hatosy (Public Enemies, Alpha Dog, The Cooler) and Maria Doyle Kennedy (The Tudors, The Commitments) have been cast in the upcoming season of SHOWTIME's Emmy(R)-nominated series DEXTER. Both will appear in multiple episodes - Hatosy will play a complex character that forms a unique relationship with Dexter, while Kennedy will play an Irish nanny hired to care for Dexter's son Harrison after wife Rita's (Julie Benz) death in the season finale. Benz will make a brief appearance in the first episode. As Dexter grapples with the reality of the death of his wife, her presence will help him deal with his feelings of loss and grief - emotions he's never felt before.

In addition, Emmy(R) Award winner Brian Cox (Manhunter, Braveheart, The Bourne Identity, Troy) will take on the role of Laura Linney's irascible, distant father in one episode of THE BIG C.

One of the most acclaimed series on television, DEXTER stars Michael C. Hall (Golden Globe(R) and SAG Award winner) as a complicated and conflicted blood-spatter expert for the Miami police department who moonlights as a serial killer. The show has received both multiple Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) nomination for best television drama series as well as a prestigious Peabody Award in 2008 and was twice named one of AFI's top ten television series. The show also stars Jennifer Carpenter, Desmond Harrington, C.S. Lee, Lauren V�lez, David Zayas, and James Remar.

THE BIG C is headlined by multiple award-winner Laura Linney as Cathy, a repressed suburban teacher, wife and mother who reclaims her life after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Oliver Platt (2012) stars as her immature, but well-meaning husband. Oscar(R) nominee Gabourey Sidibe plays a smart-alecky student in Cathy's class. The series is created and written by Darlene Hunt and written and executive produced by Hunt and Showrunner Jenny Bicks. Linney, Neal H. Moritz and Vivian Cannon also executive produce. It is produced by Original Film in association with Sony Pictures Television. Acclaimed writer/director/producer Bill Condon (Breaking Dawn) directed the pilot.