What is the name of the character played by David Zayas?

The character played by David Zayas in Dexter is Angel Batista. Batista is a Miami Metro Police Department detective and one of the show’s most consistent figures, combining investigative experience with empathy for his colleagues.

In the series, Angel is initially a homicide detective and later rises through the department. He is the older brother of assistant district attorney Ramon Batista and is closely connected to Detective Maria LaGuerta and forensic analyst Vince Masuka. His warm personality and belief in fairness often contrast with the darker behavior surrounding Miami Metro.

David Zayas, a Puerto Rican-American actor, played Angel throughout the original Dexter series and returned to the role in Dexter: New Blood. Viewers sometimes confuse Batista with Joey Quinn, another Miami Metro detective, or Vince Masuka, Dexter’s fellow forensic specialist. Batista’s signature connection to the series is his role as a detective, mentor, and trusted colleague within the department.