Lucifer (TV series)
The devil trades Hell for Los Angeles.
Lucifer is an American urban fantasy TV show created by Tom Kapinos. It aired from January 25, 2016, to September 10, 2021. The story follows Lucifer Morningstar, played by Tom Ellis, a version of the DC Comics character originally created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg. In this series, the devil leaves Hell to operate a nightclub in Los Angeles, and his life changes dramatically when he starts working as a consultant for the LAPD. The main cast includes Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro, D. B. Woodside, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Rachael Harris, and Aimee Garcia.
Filming mostly happened in Vancouver, then moved entirely to Los Angeles at the start of season three. The show was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television. The first season got mixed reviews from critics. Fox, the original broadcaster, canceled it after three seasons in May 2018. A month later, Netflix picked it up after a fan campaign, and the series ran for three more seasons, consistently earning high viewership on the platform.
**Plot** The series centers on Lucifer Morningstar, a powerful archangel thrown out of Heaven for rebelling who chose to rule Hell as its lord for millennia. Bored and unhappy, he leaves his throne against his father God’s wishes and moves to Los Angeles to run a nightclub. When he gets involved in a murder investigation, he meets LAPD detective Chloe Decker, the first human immune to his charms. After helping solve the case by using his power to make people reveal their deepest desires, Lucifer is invited to work with Chloe as a police consultant. They encounter other supernatural beings while solving crimes, and their relationship grows. Lucifer also sees a psychiatrist, Dr. Linda Martin, to analyze his relationships. Many cases he works on reflect his own emotional struggles, and this personal arc drives the story of how the celestial mirrors the human.
**Cast and characters** - **Tom Ellis as Lucifer Morningstar**: Bored as Hell’s ruler, he leaves to run a high-end nightclub in Los Angeles and works as a civilian police consultant. In season five, Ellis also plays Lucifer’s twin brother Michael, who briefly takes over Lucifer’s identity when he returns to Hell. - **Lauren German as Detective Chloe Decker**: A homicide detective and former actress whose late father was an LAPD officer.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Mystery / Occult detective fiction / Urban fantasy / Police procedural / Comedy drama
- Based On
- Characters created for DC Vertigo · Neil Gaiman · Sam Kieth · Mike Dringenberg
- Developer
- Tom Kapinos
- Showrunner
- Joe Henderson
- Open Theme
- "Being Evil Has a Price"
- Theme Music Composer
- Heavy Young Heathens
- Composer
- Ben Decter / Jeff Russo / Marco Beltrami / Dennis Smith
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 6
- Num Episodes
- 93
- List Episodes
- List of Lucifer episodes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series focuses on Lucifer Morningstar, a powerful archangel cast out of Heaven, who abdicates his throne as lord of Hell and moves to Los Angeles to run his own nightclub. When he becomes involved in a murder investigation, he meets Detective Chloe Decker, the first human immune to his charms. He accepts an invitation to work as a police consultant, using his power to manipulate humans into revealing their deepest desires. Throughout the series, Lucifer also attends therapy with Dr. Linda Martin, analyzing his relationships and emotional struggles. Many cases he encounters reflect his own problems, driving the story of how the celestial reflects the human.
The supporting cast includes Detective Dan Espinoza, Chloe's ex-husband; Amenadiel, Lucifer's older brother; Mazikeen, a demon and Lucifer's confidante; and Ella Lopez, a forensic scientist. Key antagonists and allies include the Goddess (Lucifer's mother), Cain (the first murderer), Eve, and Rory, Lucifer and Chloe's daughter from the future. The series was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television, with filming primarily in Vancouver before relocating to Los Angeles at the start of the third season.
Reader's Guide
Lucifer began as a Fox series, airing three seasons before being canceled in May 2018 due to ratings. A fan campaign led Netflix to pick up the show, which continued for three more seasons, consistently earning high viewership. The series is a loose adaptation of the DC Comics character from The Sandman, created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg. Its significance lies in blending supernatural elements with police procedural and character-driven drama, exploring themes of redemption, free will, and identity. The show's longevity and passionate fanbase demonstrate its cultural impact, particularly after the Netflix revival. The final season concluded on September 10, 2021, with ten episodes. The series is noted for its portrayal of celestial beings in a modern setting and its exploration of emotional growth through crime-solving.
Did You Know?
- The series was canceled by Fox after three seasons in May 2018, then picked up by Netflix a month later following a fan campaign.
- Tom Ellis also portrayed Lucifer's twin brother Michael in season 5.
- Filming took place primarily in Vancouver before relocating entirely to Los Angeles at the start of the third season.
- The first season received mixed reviews from critics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lucifer Morningstar in the TV series?
He is the Devil, portrayed by Tom Ellis, who traded his throne in Hell for a nightclub in Los Angeles. His routine upends when he becomes a consultant for the LAPD homicide unit, working alongside Detective Chloe Decker.
What powers does Lucifer have in the show?
He possesses superhuman strength, speed, and a form of immortality that lets him survive otherwise fatal injuries. His most distinctive ability is seeing the 'devil inside' every person, which allows him to read their hidden motives and secrets.
How does Lucifer (TV series) end?
In the series finale, Lucifer chooses to surrender his position as the Devil and his immortality so he can live a mortal life with Chloe. The show closes with the two of them together in Los Angeles, free from their cosmic roles.
Who created Lucifer the TV series and where did it air?
Tom Kapinos created the show, adapting the DC Comics character originally developed by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg. It ran on Fox for seasons one through three, then moved to Netflix for seasons four through six, concluding in September 2021.
Why did Lucifer leave Hell in the series?
He grew tired of the endless monotony of ruling the underworld and craved the unpredictability of human life. He settled in Los Angeles to manage a nightclub, hoping the chaos of the mortal world would finally give him something to look forward to.
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