Since a storm of leaks and details has been brewing around 'Dexter's seventh season, its only natural that eventually the first strike would hit.  And now, with the first official casting announcement for a major recurring role, 'Dexter' might just have stuck a blade in its upcoming season's major villain!

TVLine reports that former 'Rome' star Ray Stevenson has just landed a major recurring role in 'Dexter's seventh season, though not enough official details are available to presume that Stevenson can be considered the "official" big bad of Dexter Morgan's seventh outing.  According to the report, Stevenson will play a "high-ranking member of an Eastern European crime ring who arrives in Miami determined to learn who killed one of his associates."

Say, doesn't that sound suspiciously like one of the roles leaked from the seventh season premiere's casting sheet, which made its way around the web earlier today?

[GEORGE NOVIKOV] 30s to 40s. Russian heritage but American born, so no accent. Tough, aggressive, possibly a little overweight but imagines he is “all that”. Basically, he’s just not a good guy. RECURRING GUEST STAR.

We can't officially confirm that as of yet, nor would the name be set in stone even if it was, but it sure seems like a good bet!

'Dexter's seventh season remains something of a mystery, as now it seems to incorporate Stevenson's European crime ring story into a season that will inevitably track the fallout from - SPOILER ALERT - Deb finally learning of her brother's murderous habits as he plunged a knife into "Doomsday Killer" Travis Marshall in season 6 finale "This is the Way the World Ends."

Stevenson remains best known for his TV role as Titus Pullo of HBO's 'Rome,' but also retains a number of geek-friendly credits such as the titular hero of 'Punisher: War Zone,' and the Asgardian Volstagg of 'Thor.'  He will also be seen as Firefly in this summer's 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation.'

What say you?  Is 'Dexter's seventh season shaping up to be a killer effort, or did all the blood rush out of the series after season 4?  Who do you think the next big bad should be?  Give us your theories and ideas in the comments below!

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