A deal between Netflix and CBS Corp. will send a character the companies call "America’s favorite serial killer" to the streaming site, with the first four seasons of the Showtime drama "Dexter" to be offered on Netflix starting Oct. 31.

Seasons 5-8 will be available starting Jan. 1, 2014.

"Starring Golden Globe-winning actor Michael C. Hall, ‘Dexter’ tells the story of Dexter Morgan, America’s favorite serial killer," the companies said in their announcement. "As a Miami forensics expert, he spends his days solving crimes, and nights committing them. But Dexter lives by a strict code of honor that is both his saving grace and lifelong burden. Torn between his deadly compulsion and his desire for true happiness, Dexter is a man in profound conflict with the world and himself.

Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix, said: “We’re thrilled to have ‘Dexter,’ one of Showtime’s highest-rated shows, on Netflix, and so quickly after it completed its record-breaking run. This is one of the great serialized dramas of the past decade and we know our members will enjoy discovering or reliving the twisted world of Dexter Morgan anywhere and anytime they want.”

Scott Koondel, chief corporate content licensing officer for CBS Corp., added: “We’re excited to expand our relationship with Netflix’s premium service with this groundbreaking Showtime series. Showtime has created one of the signature programming brands on television, and this agreement for ‘Dexter’ further demonstrates the value of this content in the marketplace while expanding the show’s passionate fan base to a whole new online audience.”