TV’s Lucifer is coming back for a third season of devilish hijinks. Despite being the literal devil, Lucifer is the hero of the show – he still indulges in all earthly sins, of course, but he gave up his throne in Hell and spends his time torn between his evil roots and the inherent goodness of humanity.
Lucifer, Satan, the devil: whatever you call him, he typically isn’t a likeable guy, nor is he usually such a central figure in a show. Usually, when the devil joins your cast, he’s playing a dark entity, a trickster, a conniving villain, an unstoppable force, etc.
The devil can be a memorable, scene-stealing character, so as Lucifer returns we thought we’d look at five more TV series that have taken the leap and put Satan onscreen…
Lost (2004 – 2010)
Lost is a show that used religious imagery consistently throughout its six-year run. Some theorize the Island itself was purgatory, others that it was the Gates of Hell (mystical Island being Jacob described it as a “cork holding back the evil”), and the series finale ended with everyone literally sitting in a church, waiting for the white light. Despite the overt Christian theme, the show never went as far to name anyone as God or Satan, but few could argue that the Man in Black was representative of the Devil.
The Man in Black was the twin brother and foil to Jacob, the Island’s mystical leader who was a force for good. By contrast, the Man in Black was a shape-shifting entity that appeared as the Smoke Monster or by manifesting as dead people, usually to trick and manipulate. He was trapped on the island because Jacob believed he would destroy the world, which definitely gives credence to the ‘Gates of Hell’ theory.
Being Human (2008 – 2013)
The fifth and final season of Being Human brought the Devil to town, which was only a matter of time when your show already had ghosts, werewolves and vampires filling its ranks. The Devil is actually used as an explanation for how vampires can walk the earth: a deal with the Devil gave two brothers immortality in exchange for a need to drink blood. Kind of a weird idea for the Devil to come up with at the drop of a hat, but who’s asking.
Throughout history, the Devil sowed discourse between vampires and werewolves to feed off before getting trapped in a human form. It’s that form, older gentlemen known as Captain Hatch, that tries to end the world by starting the Apocalypse. The show ends with a mini-cliff hanger, so we’ll never know if he really succeeded or not…
Supernatural (2005 – present)
First of all, yes this show is still on. There’s probably at least one girl you knew in high school who watches it, and I guess there’s enough of those to keep this show running well past its prime. Lucifer was of course going to show up on a series with demons as its central conceit! Early on the show’s run it introduced Hell, angels and God, and the devil was quick to follows. He’s been a villain throughout several seasons, and as the ruler of Hell and father of all demons, probably won’t be killed off permanently as long as the show’s still on the air (probably forever).
The Devil here follows biblical Christianity fairly closely, as he was an Archangel created by God, who was eventually cast out and became a fallen angel. His powers are seemingly endless: he can possess people, is immortal, omniscient, superhuman strength, can kill people with literally a snap of his fingers… makes you wonder how he hasn’t conquered humanity yet.
Reaper (2007 – 2009)
The Devil isn’t just a one-off antagonist or a late-developing villain in Reaper, he’s what puts the whole show in motion. Sam’s parents offered their first born son to the Devil way back before they even had a son to offer, and now he’s come to collect. Sam is forced to become the Devil’s bounty hunter to track down lost souls.
Since this is first and foremost a comedy series, Reaper uses a much lighter touch for the Devil; while he’s still very much what we see in pop culture (trickster, conniving, people sell their souls to him), he’s very human and acts more like a disapproving father figure to Sam. Season Two hints that he is, in fact, Sam’s biological father, but that is neither confirmed or denied on the show.
South Park (1997 – present)
South Park’s Satan is 100% a unique figure. He’s depicted like a cartoon Devil would be (red, horns, hooves for feet, massive, etc.) but without the personality to match. Satan is vulnerable and self-conscious, especially about his romantic relationships with Saddam Hussein and later, a new boyfriend named Chris.
Satan is a long suffering romantic partner under Saddam’s abusive and manipulative thumb is central in South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, but that’s not all! Throughout the TV series he pops in with his schemes to conquer Earth, conquer heaven or just beat Jesus in a rigged boxing match. There is definitely no other devil like South Park’s Devil.
Who is your favourite TV Devil? Will you be watching the new series of Lucifer? Let us know!