Shawn Hatosy, an actor renowned for his intense performances in gritty dramas, recently sparked excitement among fans by addressing a lingering question: would he ever consider stepping back into the chilling shoes of his serial killer role from Dexter? As if that wasn’t enough to thrill audiences, he also opened up about his powerful collaboration with Jason Beghe on Chicago P.D., teasing future storylines and exploring how he balances complex characters on both sides of the law.
A Look Back at a Memorable Villain: The Haunting Presence of Boyd Fowler
Dexter fans will vividly recall Hatosy’s unnerving portrayal of Boyd Fowler, the roadkill collector with a dark secret. Though his time on the show was brief, Hatosy left a haunting impression that still resonates deeply with viewers. In a recent interview, he reflected on the role with a mix of pride and fascination.
“Boyd was one of those roles that just gets under your skin,” Hatosy admitted. “You don’t forget that kind of character — and clearly, neither do fans. I still get messages about him, with people asking if he could return somehow.”
While Dexter: New Blood reignited interest in the franchise, Hatosy emphasizes that any resurrection of his character would need to be handled with extreme care. “If there’s a smart, creative way to revisit that world, sure, I’d be interested,” he added. “But only if it truly serves the story.”
From Darkness to Duty: Hatosy’s Journey on Chicago P.D.
Switching gears from a serial killer to a man of justice, Hatosy has found himself walking the beat in NBC’s long-running police drama Chicago P.D. He recently filmed a guest arc, placing him alongside series veteran Jason Beghe, who portrays the formidable Hank Voight.
“Jason is a powerhouse,” Hatosy stated. “There’s an intensity to Voight that forces everyone around him to step up their game, and I absolutely loved being a part of that.”
Though Hatosy couldn’t reveal too many specifics about his role, he hinted that the dynamic between his character and Voight will be layered and potentially confrontational. “There’s history there,” he teased. “Let’s just say, it’s not a simple good cop/bad cop interaction. There’s tension, but there’s also a mutual respect.”
An Actor Who Embraces the Challenge
One of the reasons Hatosy has become a fan-favorite is his unwavering willingness to dive into emotionally complex roles. From Southland to Animal Kingdom, he has built a career on embodying characters with deep shadows — the kind that inhabit the gray areas of morality.
“When you get a role that scares you a little, that’s the sweet spot,” he explained. “It means you’re about to learn something, not just about the character, but perhaps even about yourself.”
His approach is methodical yet instinctual. “I read the script, then I try to find the heartbeat — what’s truly driving this person? Once I understand that, I let everything else fall into place.”
Working with Jason Beghe: A Masterclass in Intensity
For Hatosy, collaborating with Jason Beghe was not only a professional milestone but also a profoundly rewarding creative challenge. “Jason possesses this raw authenticity,” he said. “He doesn’t just play Voight — he becomes Voight. And that energy pulls something truly real out of you.”
The scenes between them, according to Hatosy, are far more than just procedural beats; they are deep, emotional sparring matches. “When the cameras roll, you’re not thinking about anything else,” he noted. “You’re just in it, trying to out-think and out-feel your scene partner. Jason makes that easy because he’s so incredibly present.”
A New Era for Shawn Hatosy?
So, what’s next for Shawn Hatosy? With the final season of Animal Kingdom behind him and his Chicago P.D. arc on the horizon, he finds himself at a crossroads – but not in a negative way. “It’s actually a really exciting time,” he shared. “I’m exploring different genres, maybe even directing again. I just want to keep growing.”
Fans of his darker characters need not worry. Hatosy affirms that he still gravitates toward roles with an edge. “I don’t think I’ll ever completely leave that world,” he said. “There’s something honest about flawed characters trying to do good — or at least convincing themselves they are.”
For Shawn Hatosy, revisiting the role of Boyd Fowler isn’t about nostalgia — it’s fundamentally about storytelling. “If there’s more to say, and it genuinely fits the universe, sure. But I don’t need to bring him back just because people remember him.”
As for his experience on Chicago P.D., it has been nothing short of fulfilling. “It’s a show with heart, with grit. And Jason Beghe is truly at the center of that heartbeat.”
One thing is unequivocally clear: whether he’s portraying a killer with a disturbing secret or a cop with a badge and a troubled past, Shawn Hatosy remains one of the most captivating and versatile actors on television today.
