'Dexter' Jennifer Carpenter: 'Michael C Hall and I put show first'

Jennifer Carpenter has insisted that her personal relationship with former husband and Dexter co-star Michael C Hall does not affect the show.

The pair split in December 2010 after less than two years of marriage. Their divorce was finalised earlier this month.

Carpenter told Parade: "It's sacred for an actor to keep their personal life personal. I would like to reassure all Dexter fans that the show is and always has been paramount.

"We've always done a nice job of protecting it and each other. We play important roles in each other's lives and always will. Our friendship is true and strong and always will be as far as I'm concerned."

Carpenter also confessed that she was shocked at the show's popularity over the years, adding: "I think I might have been the only cast member shooting the pilot thinking that it wasn't going to go well, because I couldn't imagine that a network would champion a serial killer or that audiences would either. But I guess they were the smart ones!"

Dexter showrunner Scott Buck recently revealed that writers considered the sixth season's major storyline twist for several years.

> 'Dexter' Jennifer Carpenter: 'Ex-husband Michael C Hall is best friend'