Dexter Hartman is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Khali Best.

[1] Dexter is the grandson of Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) and son of her illegitimate daughter, Ava Hartman (Clare Perkins).

Dexter's storylines include his friendships with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) His job as a mechanic with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), his struggle to accept his estranged father, Sam James (Cornell S John) only to learn that Sam initially tracked him down hoping he would donate a kidney and a tense relationship with the Carter family.

In 2014, Best was suspended from the show for three months by executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins after attacking a taxi driver in London.

[2] In November 2014, it was confirmed that Dexter would be written out of EastEnders in early 2015, making his final appearance on 2 January 2015[3][4][5] Dexter arrives in Albert Square after finding a photograph and address for his mother, Ava's (Clare Perkins), family that she has recently been reunited with after being placed for adoption as a baby.

[7] Later, Ava's car breaks down in Walford on her way to a job interview, so Dexter takes it to the local garage where he becomes friends with Abi's boyfriend, Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick), and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) offers him work so he can pay for the repairs.

In January 2014, Dexter clashes with Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill), when she refuses to serve him alcohol, and she later punches him in the face, after untruthfully exclaiming that he touched her bum.

In March 2014, Cora and Patrick's relationship ends, due to her making some insensitive comments to their friend and neighbour, Dot Branning (June Brown), about her deceased son, Nick Cotton (John Altman).

Dexter later realises that his relationship with Nancy is not working out but gives her some heartfelt advice before leaving for Newcastle to stay with Ava.

Khali Best would join the cast as a series regular and play Dexter, Ava Hartman (Clare Perkins)'s son.

The show's executive producer, Lorraine Newman, predicted that Dexter would be hugely popular with the audience",[9] and it was revealed that he would work at the local garage (the Arches) and would be friends with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold).

[9] Best was cast in the role of Dexter after he attended several workshops held by the producers of the series where they observed his improvisational skills.

During one of the final workshops, Best was paired with Clare Perkins as her son, which is wear the writers came up with the idea for the storyline and the characters.

[11] In September 2013 when it was announced that Cornell John and Clare Perkins would depart the series, new executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins decided to keep Best on as Dexter.

Dexter is adamant about having a relationship with his grandmother, Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) and she immediately takes a liking to him.

Newman revealed that the characters would be involved in a storyline with Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) in 2013, which would help familiarise them with the Square.

In an early storyline, Dexter reconnects with a former friend and gang member from his past who has taken an interest in the young Liam Butcher (James Forde), Bianca's son.

Though Best was not aware of any potential plans to pair the characters, he believed Dexter liked Lola because she is a "real, genuine person.

[9] Upon his announcement, Newman called him a "force of nature", adding that he is "cheeky, forthright, confident but highly protective of his mum and vice versa.

He's always full of mischief..."[19] In April 2013, it was announced that actor Cornell S John had joined the cast in the role of Dexter's absent father and Ava's ex-husband, Sam James.

The actor continued, "It was quite challenging for me to get my head around the emotions that Dexter was experiencing, given that his dad has been completely absent for 20 years.

[11] In an interview with What's on TV, Best explained that learning that Sam may die without a kidney transplant "puts it all into perspective about what it means to have his dad in his life."

Best stated to Radio Times, "Dexter needed to understand the family situation, especially the relationship that he hadn’t had with his dad."

[15] When Dexter loses Phil's £10,000 after selling a car he blames himself and "he's very frightened," when thinking about his potential fate Best remarked.

[24] Best said that the location shoot where the money was stolen was one and the wrench scene with Steve McFadden's Phil Mitchell as some of his favorite memories with the series.

Despite Nancy's parents, Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda (Kellie Bright) seeming very protective of their children, Best believed Dexter's charm would help him win them over.

Vicky Prior of the British newspaper Metro said Best was worthy of his victory and praised his portrayal of Dexter.