‘Dexter’ Season 8: Aimee Garcia Upped to Series Regular

Any 'Dexter' fan paying attention over the last two seasons knows that the titular serial killer's relationship with his son Harrison has become something of an outside gag, given the increasingly exorbitant amounts of money that Dexter must pay nanny Jamie Batista to keep her on the clock. Now, Showtime has finally made it official, upping Aimee Garcia to series regular for the potentially final season, but will it put 'Dexter's' nanny in the crosshairs?

'Dexter's' night-time activities have always made a nanny for young Harrison essential, but Showtime is finally showing Jamie Batista some real commitment. New word from The Hollywood Reporter suggests that recurring season 6 and 7 presence Jamie Batista (Aimee Garcia) has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming season, set to premiere early on Showtime June 29.

The move isn't a huge surprise, considering the character has survived two seasons with an increasingly ludicrous full-time position as Dexter's nanny, and even season 7 finale "Surprise, Motherf---er!" saw the character expressing an interest in a relationship with 'Dexter's' resident train-wreck Detective Quinn (Desmond Harrington). Of course, an increased presence on the series could end up disastrous for Detective Batista's little sister, as we've frequently seen.

Elsewhere, 'Dexter' season 8 cast additions include 'The Walking Dead' player Nick Gomez in an unknown recurring role, as well as Charlotte Rampling as criminal profiling neuro-psychiatrist Dr. Evelyn Vogel, and ‘The Boondock Saints’ star Sean Patrick Flanery as ex-cop turned private-eye Jacob Elroy. Showtime has yet to make a definitive statement about season 8 being the final year for 'Dexter,' but it's certainly been implied before.

Well, what say you? Are you excited for 'Dexter' season 8 after the latest casting? Will the coming season prove the last for Jamie Batista, or the show itself? Sound off with your thoughts in the comments!