Lauren Velez on New Season of "Dexter": "Someone is Going to Die!"

Lauren Velez, my favorite boricua character actress, called me yesterday to talk about the upcoming fourth season of Showtime's brilliant serial killer drama Dexter, premiering Sept. 27. She got me super-excited when she told me the new season would contain plenty of romance, that it's going to be "bloody" and that someone (she's not yet sure who) is "going to die!"

Read on to get the 411 on the show's new Trinity Killer (John Lithgow) and a top-secret romance for Velez's character, Maria Laguerta. Plus, Velez talks about why she may (or may not) be returning to ABC's Ugly Betty in the fall and explains why she was thrilled to hear about Jimmy Smits's Emmy nomination for Dexter Season 3.

When we left Dexter last season, he had just killed Miguel Prado (Jimmy Smits). Do you think a part of Dexter Morgan died when Miguel Prado died?
That's a great question. Maybe not "died," but I think Dexter had to put it away. In some ways, it's fascinating how Dexter's journey and Laguerta's journey is kind of similar in that they keep losing people who they think finally understand them. In Season 3, they both had Miguel and they shared Miguel. And they both lost him and experienced loss. And one of two things will happen: Either you decide to live life more fully and take more risks, or you close it up again out of the fear that more damage can be done. Laguerta is deciding in Season 4 to kind of go for it and open her heart up, and Dexter does the same thing. So I don't think a part of Dexter died with Miguel. If anything, a part of him was freed.

Have you started shooting Season 4?
We're right at the halfway point. It's been nonstop since we started, and it's so excting. I don't know if it's because it's our fourth season, but we came in to soak it up! We came in excited. The scripts have been wonderful. This season there's the Trinity Killer (played by John Lithgow). He's the serial killer for this season. So far I've had no scenes with him, but I hope I do.

Does Detective Laguerta know him?
Nobody knows him, and Dexter just got hip to his existence. He's not in our world at all. We are theorizing that there's another serial killer, but we have no idea who he is.

Is the Trinity Killer mucho scary?
He is! The scariest thing is that he's the man right next door to you who's seemingly normal. He's like Dexter. It's the same thing. We are in the middle of shooting the season, so where it goes is anybody's guess. But it's going to be bloody!

Is the Trinity Killer going to kill one of the cops?
I think for sure someone is going to die! I have no idea who.

It better not be you!
No, they would've told me already—or else they will tell me next episode, which would really suck. But you know, I think I would've known already.

What can Dexter fans expect from this new season?
It's Dexter trying to raise a family. He actually had a baby. And he's dealing with the fact that he's a father now. He's also tracking a serial killer much like him, which is something he's never done. It's really fascinating.

What's new with Lt. Laguerta?
Let's see, what can i tell you? She gets involved with someone who's been in her life for years. Aha! How about that!

Who!?
I think it's probably top secret.

Give me a clue: Is it someone we already know?
It's someone we all know.

Does Dexter like this individual?
He does like him, yeah.

Hmm, I see! I want her to hook up with Dexter!
Actually, Michael C. Hall said to me the other day: "What ever happened with that? Why did they let that go?" But I'm not sure how that's going to materialize again, because they've gone past that certain flirtatious stage, and in some ways, it's a conquest for Laguerta.

How will this season of Dexter compare to previous seasons?
It's going to be even better! It's really hot stuff, and I've never in my life said "hot stuff." I can't believe I said that. (Laughs) It'll be riveting, exciting and unpredictable!

Is it true that the show’s already been renewed for two more seasons?
Yes, Season 4 and a Season 5 definitely. Yay! But pray for me that my head doesn't wind up in a box—that would be bad. (Laughs)

I'm on it! But only if you tell me what's up with your role on Ugly Betty? Will you be back as Nurse Elena?
I don’t know. It depends on what we can work out. They wanted to try to work something out, so we'll see. It'd be really cool. I love them! I loved working with América Ferrera. She's professional and she's wonderful.

What do you think of ABC’s decision to move Ugly Betty to Friday nights?
The truth is there are plenty of ways to see the show now. You can DVR it. I think the show stands on its own, and if you really want to see it, you'll see it. I think Thursday night was a better night for the show, but I think it will make it. I think it'll be ok.

You're now a bobblehead doll. Did you know that?
Yes, I know that there are Dexter bobbleheads and trading cards. I don't actually have a bobblehead in my possession, but I've seen it. I think it is great that they made me a bobblehead. (Laughs). I don't think it really looks like me, but I don't think anybody looks like their bobblehead, except Bautista—they never get his wrong.

Which season of Dexter is your favorite so far?
Season 3 is the best season and my favorite season. Jimmy rocks the house! He got nominated for an Emmy! And I think it's great that the show itself was nominated again. I have to say, Season 3 was the season I felt the most connected to, and I'm incredibly proud of it. I enjoyed working with Jimmy so much, and of course I love working with Michael. But Jimmy came in and brought this energy with him, and this exuberance and generosity and daring. He tried all kinds of things. I have been a Smits fan forever. His performance was just genius and I knew it the minute I saw his first episode: I was like, "He's going to get nominated!"