Best Portrayals of the Devil on TV Shows

In religious texts, Lucifer Morningstar – often called Satan or the Devil – is portrayed as God’s opponent. This stems from the belief that he attempted to take God’s place in heaven, leading to his expulsion along with other rebellious angels. But when it comes to television, showrunners rarely depict the Devil as simply evil. Sometimes, the character isn’t a villain at all, and occasionally, they’re even comedic.

As a total film and TV buff, I’ve always been fascinated by how different shows handle the Devil. I know some religiously-minded viewers might have issues with it, but honestly, the portrayals are often really compelling. What’s cool is how these shows have gone beyond the typical ‘evil overlord’ trope. They’ve created Devils who actually interact with people, and who have goals that aren’t just about wreaking havoc or trying to get back to paradise. It’s about ambition, and complex motivations, which makes for much more interesting viewing.

‘Lucifer’ (2016-2021)

Okay, so this movie, Lucifer, starts with the Devil himself getting seriously burnt out on the whole punishing-sinners gig. He decides to just… quit! He trades in Hell for Hollywood, landing in Los Angeles and opening a nightclub. Naturally, he becomes quite the ladies’ man. But things take a turn when he uses his… unique skillset to help the LAPD crack a case. They’re so impressed, they offer him a permanent job as a consultant. It’s a fun premise – the Devil as a crime-solver – and the movie really leans into that fish-out-of-water dynamic.

The character of Lucifer is a fresh take on the Devil, presented as clever and capable. Unlike traditional portrayals, he doesn’t want to hurt anyone, which makes him a surprisingly appealing figure on television. However, he still embodies sin, though often in a funny way. For instance, Lucifer is openly promiscuous, claiming an incredible sexual appetite and bragging about numerous past relationships.

‘The Sandman’ (2022–2025)

In the series The Sandman, the devil doesn’t have a specific gender, but appears as a woman, played by Gwendoline Christie, known for her role in Game of Thrones. The devil’s main conflict isn’t with God, but with Morpheus, who is taking back control of Hell after being imprisoned for 100 years. Morpheus, also called the King of Dreams and Nightmares, is powerful enough to challenge and defeat the devil.

While the Devil is frequently depicted as male in television, there’s actually no basis for that assumption. Beyond this change to the usual portrayal, the character still has the traditional backstory of being an angel who fell from heaven and remains cruel and without regret. Interestingly, making the Devil not all-powerful adds depth to the character, allowing them to be fallible and even lose. This nuanced portrayal has been widely praised, even earning accolades from the showrunner and critics of the series Lucifer.

‘Fallen’ (2006)

The TV show Fallen, based on Thomas Sniegoski’s book series, centers around Aaron, a good-natured high schooler who learns he’s a Nephilim—a being with both human and angel ancestry. As the story unfolds, he discovers his father (played by Bryan Cranston) is actually the Devil, and that his destiny is to help fallen angels return to heaven.

The movie Fallen features a surprisingly strong performance from Bryan Cranston. He convincingly portrays the Devil as charming and well-intentioned, leading Aaron to genuinely trust him. Their evolving father-son relationship echoes Cranston’s other famous on-screen father roles, but this bond is ultimately broken when Aaron discovers the truth. The conflict reaches a climax in a sword fight that feels realistic and avoids the typical special effects seen in many television battles.

‘Supernatural’ (2005–2020)

Originally, Supernatural was planned as a show focused on classic ghost stories and the adventures of demon hunters Sam and Dean. But starting with Season 4, the show’s scope expanded to include angels. This led to the introduction of Lucifer, depicted as God’s once-favored angel. Like all angels in the series, Lucifer needs a person’s consent to inhabit their body; he can’t possess anyone against their will.

The Lucifer portrayed in Supernatural isn’t a one-dimensional villain; he displays a surprisingly human range of emotions. He’s capable of trust, even after being betrayed, and still hopes for a reconciliation with God, affectionately calling Him “Pops” to show his deep affection. However, despite being surprisingly sympathetic, he remains fundamentally devilish – prioritizing his own goals and readily harming or manipulating others to achieve them.

‘Salem’ (2014–2017)

The TV show Salem on WGN America draws inspiration from the Salem Witch Trials, which occurred in Massachusetts in the late 1600s and led to over 200 people being accused of witchcraft. The show centers on Mary Sibley, a powerful witch who controls the course of the trials and summons Lucifer. Lucifer then inhabits the body of a young boy named John Sibley.

Salem is rare in that it gives Lucifer a complex and evolving personality. At first, he’s portrayed as a protector of the vulnerable, but after possessing a human body, his behavior becomes disturbingly erratic. He engages in cruelty towards animals and displays inappropriate desires. The show also cleverly uses his ability to shapeshift into a fully human form, enabling him to participate in more sophisticated storylines. Sometimes, he appears as a frightening creature called the “Wood Demon,” complete with horns and hooves.

‘Penny Dreadful’ (2014-2016)

I have to say, Penny Dreadful is seriously one of the creepiest shows I’ve ever seen. It throws together all these classic horror characters – Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and even some original villains from Victorian times. You follow Vanessa Ives, played by Eva Green, and she’s constantly battling all kinds of supernatural forces. The biggest danger she faces comes from Lucifer, portrayed by Robert Nairne, who’s trying to exploit a special, powerful force within her to take down God himself.

This portrayal of the Devil focuses heavily on his troubled family life. He’s depicted as having a contentious relationship with Dracula, his half-brother, and they are often at odds. His ongoing conflicts with Vanessa are also compelling, and the fact that she consistently defeats him serves as a symbolic reminder that strong willpower and a solid moral foundation can help anyone resist temptation.

‘American Horror Story’ (2011–Present)

American Horror Story features many memorable villains, and the Devil often pulls the strings behind their actions. While he doesn’t often appear directly, when he does, he’s depicted with a goat-like head, horns, and bat wings. More frequently, he possesses people, using their bodies to control and exploit others through secrets and past mistakes.

This portrayal of the Devil is frighteningly realistic because he seems to take pleasure in causing pain and punishing people without any justification. Some of his most disturbing acts on American Horror Story include the senseless killing of miners and the assault of a nun. Surprisingly, he often shows affection towards children, which has actually led to his downfall a few times.

‘The Collector’ (2004–2006)

In the movie The Collector, the Devil grants wishes in exchange for a person’s soul, but there’s a catch: the deal only lasts for ten years, after which the person goes to hell. Morgan Pym (Chris Kramer), an immortal man who collects souls for the Devil, begins to feel guilty about his job and starts helping people escape their fate. The Devil, knowing Morgan’s efforts are futile, simply mocks him as he tries to help.

This Canadian drama is unique because a different actor plays the Devil in every episode, emphasizing that evil doesn’t have a single face and can hide in anyone. The show cleverly reveals Lucifer’s identity by making their eyes glow. Ultimately, the series uses the Devil’s story to show that dishonest actions will always have consequences.

‘Reaper’ (2007–2009)

According to the supernatural being known as Reaper, some people manage to escape from hell every now and then. When Sam Oliver turns 21, he discovers a shocking truth: his parents made a deal with the devil, Lucifer, to save him from a childhood illness – they sold his soul. Now, as a way to pay off that debt, Sam must work as a soul collector, tracking down and retrieving those who have fled hell.

Since Reaper is a comedy, the Devil character is primarily used for humorous effect. For instance, he’s shown as loving ice cream, but unable to eat it because his heat causes it to melt instantly. He also frequently claims to change his suits multiple times daily, despite them always appearing identical. A key element of the show’s success is the engaging relationship between the Devil and Sam, filled with funny arguments and playful teasing, which hints that Lucifer might not be as wicked as people believe.

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ (2018–2020)

Inspired by the classic Archie comics, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina tells the story of Sabrina, a teenager who is half-witch and half-human. After losing her parents at a young age, she was raised by her two aunts. Later, it’s discovered that her father is none other than Lucifer Morningstar.

Lucifer’s goal is a classic one: to tempt people into wrongdoing and spread evil throughout the world. He wants Sabrina to embrace her dark heritage and join him, but she’s determined to forge her own path. Their clashes are always dramatic and amusing. For example, after Sabrina pulls someone from Hell, only to discover it’s the Devil himself, he playfully challenges her with, “Go on, call me Daddy.”

2026-04-19 19:27