[Smithy]

Dexter will end after its eighth season, it has been confirmed.

The news, which had long been touted but had not been officially announced, was revealed on the network's Facebook page along with a brand new sneak peek of the final run.

Jennifer Carpenter, who plays Dexter's foster sister Deb on the serial killer drama, told Digital Spy last year that she only planned to film eight seasons, while show exec Sara Colleton was also adamant that the show would not continue into a ninth year.

Lead star Michael C Hall has previously suggested that Dexter may not receive such a happy ending.

"I imagine Dexter is going to get caught one way or the other," he said. "And by that I mean, can we really expect him, at this point, to walk into the sunset? Or get off without a blemish on his conscience or character?"

Actors signed up to appear in the final season include Bethany Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill), Darri Ingolfsson (Last Resort), Nick Gomez (The Walking Dead), Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints) and English actress Charlotte Rampling.

The new season is due to premiere on June 30 on Showtime in the US, while season seven is currently airing on FOX in the UK on Sundays at 9pm.

-has only posted for niamh-