In religion, Lucifer Morningstar’s position is clear. Also known as Satan or theDevil, the figure is said to be God’s adversary, mainly because he tried to usurp the creator’s position in heaven, a move that caused him and other rebellious angels to be banished. However, TV show creators have often avoided a black-and-white view whendepicting the Devilon-screen. In some cases, they aren’t even villainous, and in others, they are actually funny.
Staunch believers of religion might have something to say about the weird yet interesting ways in which the Devil has been portrayed on television throughout the years, but there is no doubt that viewers and critics loved everything they saw. The following 10 shows added more layers to the mysterious figure, showing them as capable of interacting with humans and open to more ambitious exploits that don’t necessarily involve returning to heaven or destroying humanity.
Here are the 10 best portrayals of the Devil on TV, ranked.
10The Collector (2004-2006)
There has been a long-standing yet baseless belief that people can sell their souls to the Devil for special benefits. InThe Collector, however, this is a reality. Here, the Devil can give people anything they want if they offer him their souls. However, the deal only lasts 10 years, after which the people are sent to hell. Well, the immortal human, Morgan Pym (Chris Kramer) — whose job description involves collecting souls for the Devil — develops a crisis of conscience and begins helping those who made deals to avoid hell-time. Knowing it’s pointless, the Devil keeps mocking him as he watches him try.
Why It’s a Perfect Portrayal
The Devil is played by a different actor in each episode ofThe Collector, reminding everyone that no one knows what the actual supernatural figure looks like and that he or she can be anyone among us. The show allows viewers to tell who Lucifer is by making their eyes glow with fire. Through the Devil, the show passes the message that everything that is achieved in a crooked manner will eventually come back to bite the person. Generally, the Devil is shown to be fair and reasonable inThe Collector, but he showcases his nefarious side by constantly thwarting the Collector’s attempts to redeem the clients.Stream on Plex
9The Sandman (2022-Present)
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InTheSandman, the devil is genderless, though they take on a female appearance, and are portrayed byGame of Thronesactress Gwendoline Christie. Their feud on the show is not against God, but against Morpheus, who has come to reclaim Hell after being held captive by an occultist for a century. Also known as the King of Dreams and Nightmares, Morpheus is able to give the devil a run for their money and inflict a defeat.
The Devil is often assumed to be male when portrayed on TV, but there is no proof of that.The Sandmanthus does well by depicting them as genderless. Outside this slight change, they retain the backstory of having fallen from heaven and are sadistic and remorseless in their mannerisms. Additionally, the decision to not make the Devil an omnipotent character makes them a lot more interesting. Just like everyone else, they can make mistakes and lose. So perfect is the portrayal that it receivedpraise fromLucifer’s showrunnerand critics in general.Stream on Netlfix
8Fallen (2006-2007)
Based onThe Fallenseries of books by Thomas Sniegoskia, ABC’sFallenfollows Aaron, a kind-hearted high school student who soon discovers that he is no ordinary human, but a Nephilim (human-angel hybdrid). After several more adventures, he realizes that his father (Bryan Cranston) is none other than the Devil, and his purpose on Earth is to help bring the fallen angels back to heaven.
InFallen, fans are treated to one ofBryan Cranston’s greatest performances. He properly channels the Devil’s persuasiveness and pretense, causing Aaron to believe that he means well. An interesting father-son dynamic develops — reminding viewers of the other iconic daddy characters that the actor has played — but the trust is shattered when Aaron finds out the truth. The feud between the two culminates in a rather interesting swordfight, which feels refreshing because the showrunners don’t opt for the cliché TV fights that rely on special powers.Stream on Fubo
7Lucifer (2016-2021)
Punishing evildoers from morning to evening can get boring, so the Devil decides to abdicate his duties as the Lord of Hell inLucifer. In turn, he heads to Los Angeles, where he opens a nightclub and adopts a new lifestyle as a lothario. After helping solve a crime using his powers, he impresses the LAPD, which leads to a permanent position as a police constultant.
Luciferis acreative rebranding of the Devil. He is very resourceful in this show, and has no interest in harming people, making him one of the most likable characters of modern TV. Still, he represents sin, albeit in a hilarious way. For example, Lucifer is a master fornicator, who claims he can have sex 10 times a day and boasts about having slept with 92 women in eight weeks. This version of Lucifer even has a twin brother, making him very relatable.Stream on Netflix
6Supernatural (2005-2020)
Supernaturalwas originally meant to be a show about ordinary ghost stories revolving around the demon hunters Sam and Dean. However, by Season 4, the writers had become more ambitious, so angels were introduced. Lucifer, therefore, appears throughout the series as God’s former favorite son. Like every other angel, he cannot possess a person forcefully and must have their permission to use them as a vessel.
Supernatural’s version of Lucifer has the emotional range of humans. He is trusting enough to get betrayed and is loving enough to still consider a reunion with God. He even refers to God as “Pops,” proving how much he adores the Creator. Of course, as sympathetic as Lucifer can be, he still retains his “devil” attributes. He puts himself first, and is never afraid to hurt others or manipulate them, in order to push his agenda.Stream on Netflix
Related:10 TV Shows to Watch if You Miss Supernatural
5Salem (2014-2017)
WGN’sSalemis loosely inspired by the Salem Witch Trials — a series of late-1600s trials in Massachusetts where more than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft. In it, the powerful witch, Mary Sibley, manipulates the trajectory of the trials while also summoning Lucifer. The Devil then takes on the body of a boy known as John Sibley.
Salemis one of the few shows that grant Lucifer proper character development. Initially, he champions against the oppressed, but once he takes on a human vessel, he begins acting in a deranged manner. He kills and tortures animals, and is extremely lustful towards his mother. He can also grow into a man if he so pleases, allowing the show to incorporate him into moremature character arcs. On occasion, he has appeared as the “Wood Demon,” with horns and hooves as part of his appearance.Stream on Hulu
4Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)
Penny Dreadfulis undoubtedly one of themost disturbing shows ever made. The show piles scary literary figures like Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster together with exclusive Victorian-era villains. The main character is Vanessa Ives (Eva Green), an adventurer who spends her days dealing with various forces from the supernatural underworld. The biggest threat she faces is Lucifer, who intends to use a mystical power locked inside her to overthrow God.
This version of the Devil has serious family problems to deal with. Dracula is said to be his half-brother and the two fight more times than they agree. Additionally, his psychical and psychological battles with Vanessa make for captivating storylines. The fact that she always beats him is an allegory that suggests, with enough zeal and a strong moral compass, anyone can overcome the temptations that are thrown their way.Stream on Paramount+
3American Horror Story (2011-Present)
American Horror Storyhas plenty of villainous characters, and the Devil has some influence over most of them. He rarely reveals himself, but whenever he does, he is shown to have a goat-like head with two horns and bat-like wings. On most occasions, he prefers to take over the bodies of humans before going on to manipulate or blackmail people with dark pasts.
This version of the Devil is a religiously accurate depiction because of how he enjoys inflicting harm and punishing people for no reason. Some of his worst deeds onAHSinclude murdering a group of mine workers for no reason and raping a nun. Interestingly, he is very warm towards children, something that has contributed to his defeat on some occasions.Stream on Hulu
2Reaper (2007-2009)
According toReaper, stubborn souls escape from hell from time to time. Upon turning 21, the protagonist, Sam Oliver (Bret Harrison), finds out that his parents sold his soul to Lucifer (Ray Wise) so that he could be cured of an illness. As payment of the debt owed to Lucifer, he must now work as a collector, whose task is to retrieve the fugitive souls.
BecauseReaperis a comedy show, the Devil, as a character, is mostly played for laughs. For example, he loves ice cream, but cannot enjoy it because he is too hot. Once he touches it, it melts away, leaving him disappointed. He also claims to change his suits at least three times a day, yet they always look the same. Here, the Devil’sinteresting father-son arcwith Sam is generally what hoists the series to great heights. Their arguments and banter are always funny, suggesting that perhaps Lucifer is not as evil as everyone originally thought.Buy on Apple TV
1Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020)
Based on theArchiecomic series of the same name,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinarevolves around Sabrina, a high school student who happens to be half-witch and half-human. She is raised by her two aunts, having been orphaned as a child. It’s eventually revealed that she is the daughter of Lucifer Morningstar.
Lucifer’s objective here is no different from what has been suggested for ages. He intends to corrupt all minds and fill the world with sin. Lucifer’s wish is for Sabrina to follow in his footsteps, but she remains firm and insists on her independence. The interactions between the two never fail to be entertaining. “Go on, call me Daddy,” he once taunts, after she rescues someone from hell, only to realize it’s the Devil she has brought back.Stream on Netflix
