Premiering its first episode on Friday, December 13th, Paramount+’s “Dexter: Original Sin” is a prequel to the multi award-winning hit series “Dexter.”
The new series is set in Miami, FL 1991, 15 years before the original series finds Dexter learning to control his bloodthirsty urges. With the guidance of his father, Harry (played by Christian Slater), Dexter adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar.
In this fresh new take, 20-year-old hotshot Raquel Justice brings to life ’Sofia,’ who catches the eye of Dexter with her looks, quick-wit and emotional drive.
Originally from San Diego, CA, Raquel has roots in Aguascalientes and Tijuana, while her dad is from Cincinnati, Ohio.
“I’m not exactly sure where my Black heritage is specifically from, but I know it stems from Nigeria, so I’m really interested in exploring that part of my identity,” she says as we sit down to get past her stunning looks onto other topics (no easy feat). “I now live primarily in LA, and I’m a senior at LMU, currently getting ready to spend my last semester abroad in Spain!”
Introducing us to her role as Sofia in Dexter: Original Sin, Raquel describes the experience as a professional introduction to womanhood.
“Sofia is a character unlike any I have had the privilege to play,” she says. “For the first time, I got to be the sexy girl—or the seductress—and it almost felt like an introduction to my womanhood as an actress while still maintaining Sofia's youth and naivety. I turned 20 on set, and in turn, it was a way for me to step into myself as a performer while keeping myself grounded in my youth. Sofia is fiercely loyal and wears her heart on her sleeve. She feels everything so deeply and, in turn, tends to expect that from others—which is something I believe I relate to her the most with.”
Raquel reckons Slater is “a legend who doesn’t even know it.”
“Christian Slater is a legend, but you would think he doesn’t even know it, he’s consistently bringing jokes and levity to the set,” she says. “One of the first times I met him, I had come to set early to watch the filming of one of the most harrowing scenes within the first two episodes. In between takes, he sat opposite me, and we just talked about his family, his newborn, and life—like we were in a café on a random Tuesday. Then he got up when they were ready for him and delivered beautiful work. I think that’s a testament to how cool of a guy he is.”
Listing her dream co-stars is like “asking her to pick a favourite song,” but Raquel has one who’s always and forever on her list.
“I have an affinity and love for the work of Emma Stone, Lupita Nyong’o, Lakeith Stanfield, and Paul Mescal,” she says. “But who would I really love to star opposite Johnny Depp. Always Johnny Depp.”
Outside of acting, wildlife takes the front seat for the seductress.
“I actually have a lot of random passions that fall second to acting,” says Raquel. “I truly love wildlife, and for the longest time, I wanted to be a wildlife photographer. The dream is to fund my own animal sanctuary. I also want to fund a school, but we can save that for another day. I love reading, drawing, and writing (especially poetry). Recently, I’ve transitioned from kickboxing to boxing, and I’m addicted. I’m also a huge foodie, so if I could live a life even remotely close to the essence of Action Bronson one day, I could die happy.”
With every Tom, Dick and Harry selling themselves as a “content creator” nowadays, Raquel keeps the faith that true talent will always prevail.
“I think everyone who makes art or media in some way can be considered an artist or entertainer, so each their own, it is human nature to create,” she says. “However, in my personal opinion, true film and television will always be able to fill a spot in a viewer's soul or stir something within people that reminds me of what art is truly for. There’s a rawness and authenticity to it, and I believe that is rarely achieved through social media.”