Two years after its initial release, the Peter Dinklage-led Western crime thriller The Thicket has found a massive new audience on streaming. After being added to the Netflix library on September 30, 2026, the film quickly climbed the viewership rankings, securing the No. 5 spot among the most-watched movies in the United States by October 2.
The film’s sudden resurgence on Netflix marks a significant “second life” for the project, which originally debuted in 2024. In the gritty adaptation of Joe R. Lansdale’s novel, the Game of Thrones alum stars as Reginald Jones, a sharp-witted bounty hunter hired to track down a ruthless killer. Dinklage is joined by an ensemble cast that includes Juliette Lewis and Levon Hawke.
The timing of The Thicket’s success coincides with a pivotal moment in Dinklage’s television career. While fans are revisiting his work in the Western genre, the actor is officially concluding his chapter in the Dexter universe. Dinklage portrayed the character Leon Prater in the first season of Dexter: Resurrection in 2025, but he will not be returning for the show’s upcoming sophomore outing.
Shifting Dynamics in Dexter: Resurrection
As The Thicket dominates the movie charts, Dexter: Resurrection is preparing for a major transition. Paramount+ has confirmed that Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on October 30, 2026. The new episodes will move forward without Dinklage’s Prater, instead introducing new foils for Michael C. Hall’s titular anti-hero.
The antagonist void left by Dinklage is expected to be filled by high-profile newcomers Brian Cox and Dan Stevens, both of whom have joined the Season 2 cast as series regulars.
For Dinklage, the Netflix success of The Thicket reinforces his draw as a leading man in the streaming space. While the film was originally associated with Tubi during its 2024 launch, its performance on Netflix has surpassed several major studio titles, including established franchises like Jason Bourne, during its first week on the platform.
