IN CONVERSATION WITH KADIA SARAF

interview by JANA LETONJA

Kadia Saraf is joining the stellar cast of ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ as a series regular, which premiered on Paramount+/Showtime on 11th July. She is best known for her portrayal of U.S. Attorney Anya Avital in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. In addition to her acting work, Kadia is an accomplished martial artist in Kenpo Jitsu and an amateur boxer in the Masters division of USA Boxing. 

You joined ‘Dexter: Resurrection’. Can you tell us about your character and how she fits into the world of Dexter? 

I play Claudette Wallace, a seasoned homicide detective with a razor-sharp mind and a relentless sense of justice. She doesn’t miss a beat, and is always five steps ahead. The world of Dexter is gray in its morality, but Claudette brings a black and white laser-focus. She has no patience for unnecessary complication, she moves past the nuance and straight to the point. What I especially love about her is that she’s not performative and doesn’t chase validation. She knows who she is. She’s unapologetically interior and chases only the truth. 

Were you a fan of the original ‘Dexter’ series before being cast? What was your reaction when you got the call? 

Yes, absolutely. I watched the show when it first aired and I loved it. I thought it was audacious to make us fall in love with a serial killer. When I got the call, I cried and laughed at the same time. I had my moment, because I knew that stepping into ‘Dexter’ wasn’t just a job, it was entering a legacy. But internally, I felt a profound stillness. As if I had arrived home. 

How does this spin-off build on or differ from the previous seasons and spin-offs in the ‘Dexter’ universe? 

This season feels evolved, yet it remains faithful to its original DNA. It’s dark, intelligent, morally gray, and has a sharp sense of humor. It’s also grown into something much bolder. Today, we have a deeper understanding of sociopaths and psychopaths. We dare to live in the nuance now. And the fact that it takes place in New York City is perhaps the boldest move of all, because here, there’s no room for pretense. This city will call any of us out on our bullshit, including serial killers hiding in plain sight. New York sees right through it. 

What has it been like stepping into a franchise with such a passionate fanbase and long history? 

Humbling, honestly. You feel the weight of it, in the best way. There’s a kind of trust the fans extend when you join a universe they’ve lived with for years, and I don’t take that lightly. It’s a bit like skydiving. Jumping out of a plane at 3.000 meters, which I’ve done, is somehow less scary than the idea of jumping off a cliff, which I haven’t done and probably won’t. When you’re that high up, you can’t see the people and cars below. It’s so vast that you just have to trust. That’s what stepping into the ‘Dexter’ universe felt like. It’s so expansive, so deeply rooted in fans’ lives, that I didn’t feel fear, only trust. 

‘Dexter’ is known for its dark themes and psychological complexity. How do you approach roles that exist in morally ambiguous worlds? 

With respect and a lot of curiosity. Like I said, these characters live in the gray. Ideally, I’d approach them without judgment, but that’s not always possible, and I accept that. I always try to find a way to relate, and more often than not, I do. And when I don’t, that’s even more intriguing because it reminds me that I don’t know everything. Just like Claudette, I’m not usually afraid of the dark, and even if I am, I’ll still walk straight into it. 

What are you most excited for audiences to see in this season?

Goodness, where do I start? I’m excited for audiences to meet this new cast of characters. There’s a simmering tension throughout the season that I think is really going to hit. I tell people that ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ is like a prestigious gift bag packed with all kinds of dark little treats and surprises. Even the fans who think they know what’s coming will gasp. I’m genuinely excited for them. 

You’re not just an actor—you’re also a martial artist and boxer. Has your physical training informed the way you approach characters, particularly those in dark or dangerous worlds?

Absolutely. Just like in acting, you have to be well-trained and fully prepared. But once you’re in the ring, you need to stay centered in the chaos, you pay attention to what’s coming at you, and you listen. You stay ready, then let go and become fully present. Maybe the most profound thing boxing has taught me is how to fully trust myself. My trainer, Heather Hardy, once said “You’ve got what it takes to beat this b**ch. Nobody with two hands is ever going to beat you unless you let them”.

As a woman in both Hollywood and combat sports, what challenges or breakthroughs have shaped your perspective in these male-dominated spaces? 

I’ve learned to simply be undeniable. Both industries can be quick to underestimate, and I take that as a challenge. I can’t control what’s outside of me, whether it’s the industry or other people, but I can control how I show up and respond. I ask myself “Why is this in my movie?”, no pun intended, and take steps from there. It helps me be proactive, instead of having knee-jerk reactions. Along the way, I’ve found incredible allies, both men and women, who value skill over noise. There’s something powerful about showing up unapologetically, in your fullest form. 

How do you balance the emotional demands of acting with the mental and physical demands of boxing? 

They’re two sides of the same coin. Boxing clears my mind. It helps me reset and reaffirms my trust in myself. Acting, in turn, reminds me why training matters and why presence is everything. Both take serious discipline, and they both change you. And yeah, bruises come with the territory. 

Beyond ‘Dexter: Resurrection’, what is coming up next for you? 

Just keeping on with what I’m doing, so I can keep doing what I’m doing.

CREDITS

photographer JENNY ANDERSON

hair and makeup CRYSTAL GOSSMAN