Exclusive: 'Dexter' wooing Julia Stiles

Image Credit: Janet Mayer/PR Photos; David Studarus/ShowtimeThis just in: I’ve got another killer Dexter scoop! (Let me know when that play on words starts to get old. Better yet, don’t.)

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Julia Stiles is in advanced talks to play a major, top secret role in the show’s upcoming fifth season.

What role, you ask? No idea. But based on what new showrunner Chip Johannessen told me a few weeks back, it’s safe to say Stiles won’t be following in the footsteps of last season’s very scary guest star, John Lithgow.

“We’re not going to have a single Big Bad this season,” revealed Johannessen. “We don’t want to try and top John Lithgow, so we’re going to change up the forces that Dexter’s going to be dealing with.”

Given that the new season picks up immediately following the death of Rita, it’s also unlikely Stiles will be coming in as a love interest for Michael C. Hall’s grieving widower. Maybe she’s playing Rita’s long-lost sister. Or her cousin once removed. The only thing I know for sure is that the Dexter gig would mark Stiles’ first major foray into series television. Smart first step, if you ask me.

Thoughts? Theories? Hit the comments!

Related: Dexter resurrects Julie Benz!

TV scoop is best served instantaneously, so follow me on Twitter at @michaelausiello