How being a NY cop helped David Zayas play one in ‘Dexter’

He went from being a real cop to playing one on TV. 

“Dexter” star David Zayas, who returns to co-star in the sequel series “Dexter: Resurrection,” was on the NYPD before pivoting to acting. 

“Being a police officer really helped me in the characterizations of characters that I’ve played. I left to focus on acting, and it worked out,” he exclusively told The Post. 

On the original “Dexter,” which aired on Showtime for eight seasons from 2006 to 2013, Zayas co-starred as Detective Sergeant (later Captain) Angel Batista. 

The series followed Dexter (Michael C. Hall), a serial killer raised by a cop father (James Remar) who taught him to channel his urges into targeting fellow killers. 

By day, Dexter worked for the Miami Metro police department, alongside Batista and other colleagues. 

In “Dexter: Resurrection,” (premiering with two episodes on Friday, July 11 on Paramount+ with Showtime), Dexter reunites with Angel in New York City.

Dexter has had a brush with near death (after the events of the spinoff show “Dexter: New Blood”), and is also tracking his estranged and troubled son, Harrison (Jack Alcott). Meanwhile, Batista is hot on Dexter’s tail, as he’s wised up to the fact that the trail of bodies in Dexter’s wake may not be a coincidence. 

Zayas told the Post that his background as a real police officer gave him acting skills in observation.

“Watching people, getting to know people, feeling what’s happening at the moment,” he explained to The Post. “Because when you’re breaking down a character, you need to find out every aspect of that character. And I think being a police officer and just going to jobs and observing people…. that instinct transfers to being an actor.” 

Zayas said that where “Dexter: Resurrection” finds Batista, “he’s not as carefree and trusting as he used to be.” 

Batista frequently wears a fedora — which actually helped Zayas reconnect with the character again. 

“The moment I put the hat on, it brought back that energy of Angel Batista. That does help me a lot.” 

Zayas is part of an acting power couple, as his wife, Liza Colón-Zayas, plays Tina in “The Bear” and won an Emmy for the role last year. Zayas plays Tina’s husband in the show. 

“I’ve had a front row seat for the great work that she does for many decades now. And to actually watch her get some recognition for the hard work that I see firsthand that she does warms my heart so much. I’m so proud of her,” he said. 

Zayas added that playing his real wife’s fictional husband in “The Bear,” was “wonderful.” 

“She’s such an amazing, amazing performer. And I learned a lot from her the past 30 years that we’ve been together. Really, to me, it was bonus in my life to go and just have a small part in a show that she thrives on.” 

While guest roles on “The Bear” are highly sought after (Brie Larson, Josh Hartnett and more) Zayas didn’t have to audition. 

“They asked me if I would play [her husband],” he explained. “I said yes, I would love to. It’s such a great set to be on. It’s just like ‘Dexter,’ everybody cares about what they’re doing.”