'Dexter' numbers hurt so good

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"Dexter" broke Showtime records Sunday.

The serial killer drama starring Michael C. Hall drew 1.23 million viewers at 9 p.m. and a total of 1.63 million for the 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. runs.

This marks the most-watched episode ever for a Showtime series, with the 1.23 million single-airing haul surpassing the previous record of "Soul Food," which drew 1.21 million in 2004.

Sunday night's episode of "Dexter" also grew an impressive 41% from the previous week.

"Dexter's" surge also lifted its lead-out series, the sophomore drama "Brotherhood," which averaged 651,000 viewers at 10 p.m. and another 110,000 at midnight -- the largest audience ever for the critically praised series and up 47% from the previous week.