Appearing Thursday morning at the Television Critics Association winter press tour, Showtime entertainment president David Nevins acknowledged yet defended against criticism of Homeland Season 3.

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Saying that certain critiques “didn’t surprise me,” Nevins opined that “the season was pretty brilliant in its architecture” and unexpectedly prescient, “very clever and very audacious” in its take on changes in U.S./Iran relations.

As for the knock that Season 3 in ways felt like a mere bridge between Seasons 2 and 4, he said, “We always knew we were heading towards a major reset.”

Nevins said of Homeland Season 4, with Carrie stationed in Istanbul, “The likely plan is you will see her on the ground… doing her job,” while Mandy Patinkin’s Saul — who left the CIA to work in the private sector — will play a “central” role.

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After the panel, Nevins said that any possible Dexter spin-off — thus far there have only been “ongoing conversations” — would demand the participation of Michael C. Hall. “It would have to involve Michael… If we were to do it, I’d only do it with Michael,” reprising his serial killer role on camera.

That said, “If we were to do it, we would have to have a very good reason to do it. It’s a new show. I’m not interested in doing it if it’s just a continuation…. I would want to do Dexter in a new concept and configuration. I want it to feel different.”

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In other Showtime news:

* The much-anticipated “literary horror” drama Penny Dreadful, which is detailed here and which Nevins touted as “nothing like we’ve ever done before,” has been set for a May 11 premiere. Penned by film vet John Logan and helmed in part by Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage), its cast included Josh Hartnett (The Faculty) and Eva Green (Camelot).

* Nevins does not expect the coming season of Nurse Jackie — premiering April 13 and paired with Californication‘s goodbye run — to be its last. “I think Nurse Jackie has a lot of life in it. I know where they’re ending this season, so I don’t expect this to be the last.” He added that the coming run has a “very different” rhythm that doesn’t tread on old territory.