The Netflix adaptation of The Sandman is finally here, and fans are raving about just how much the show got right from its source material. Season 1 heavily focused on John Dee and the Corinthian, but the final episode set up an epic conflict between Dream and the Devil in the next season, a confrontation that will likely upturn the meaning of cosmic battles on television.
As viewers try to determine how they feel about The Sandman’s version of Lucifer Morningstar, they are likely going to compare this portrayal to others on film and television, including Tom Ellis's version in Lucifer - technically coming from the same source material (via Neil Gaiman's Twitter). The Devil has worn many faces throughout history, but television has allowed creators to make interesting and nuanced versions that have rarely been seen before.
Lucifer (2016-2021)
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Lucifer Morningstar fled Hell to open a nightclub on Earth and eventually solved murders with love interest Chloe Decker. Those who just finished The Sandman may be shocked to know that these are technically the same character because Lucifer portrays him in a much more human manner.
Despite his abilities and snarky humor, Lucifer’s portrayal of the Devil is ultimately the kind of villain that fans root for. Far from the epitome of evil, Lucifer is a complex but misunderstood being with some serious daddy issues. Fans fell in love with this version of Lucifer as he strived to understand and appreciate humanity properly, but he’s a pretty far cry from the traditional understanding of the Devil.
Fallen (2006-2007)
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This miniseries - based on the novels by Thomas Sniegoski - follows Aaron Corbett as he discovers that he is a half-Angel, who is fated to restore fallen angels to Heaven. As he tries to keep the people he cares about safe from warrior angels, he discovers that his abilities and destiny go back to Lucifer.
The Devil's ultimate goal is to infiltrate Heaven and defeat God, which can only happen if Aaron uses his powers on him. To get him to do so, Lucifer weaponizes Hell to punish the people Aaron cares about. Though this is an unusual depiction, it is a fun representation for those who like the idea of angels and Nephilim without the biblical baggage.
Salem (2014-2017)
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Salem follows the citizens of Salem, Massachusetts during the Witch Trials, as real witches did their best to manipulate the town toward their ends, which included summoning the Devil. However, the Devil eventually reveals his darker side, leading the witches to turn against him in later seasons.
Salem's version of the Devil has no desire to keep his promises and regularly inflicts bodily harm on any who question or betray him. There are no redemptive qualities to the figure, making the show an outlier amongst others that tried to highlight more empathetic sides of the Satanic figure.
Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)
Stream on Showtime
Penny Dreadful pulls together a cohesive world from the early horror stories told in Gothic fiction, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Though many characters come straight from these novels, the protagonist Vanessa Ives is an original figure, navigating the horrific worlds and trying to keep her independence while being chased by Lucifer and Dracula.
The show presents Dracula and Lucifer as twin halves of a great evil that fell from Heaven, who could reasonably be seen as the Devil. Though this is an unconventional representation of the Devil, it allowed the show to play with different personality traits the Devil has historically possessed, culminating in the manipulation and conquest of Vanessa, whose power can ruin the world.
American Horror Story (2011-Present)
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Although the Devil has not been shown explicitly in American Horror Story, he has guided multiple characters throughout the show. The most obvious of these was Sister Mary Eunice, who the Devil possessed in Asylum, manipulating the other residents toward their worst actions.
In addition, he has influence through his supporters, as seen with Michael Langdon in Apocalypse and Richard Ramirez in 1984. His plans are frequently foiled, but later scenes generally suggest that these will only be delays rather than true preventions.
Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018-2020)
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Chilling Adventures of Sabrina adapts Archie Comics’ Sabrina Spellman in a darker setting, where witchcraft is associated with Satan, death, and darkness. Sabrina is a half-mortal, half-witch who also happens to be the Devil's child, and the series revolves around her struggle to manage that identity.
The Devil is handsome and charming but ultimately functions as a source of misogyny. While on Earth, he is incredibly possessive and controlling and torments anyone he sees as betraying him in horrific and gruesome manners.
Reaper (2007-2009)
Stream on ABC
Sam Oliver finds out on his 21st birthday that his parents sold his soul to the Devil, which results in him collecting souls that managed to escape Hell. The show follows a bunch of goofball characters as they take on escaped souls in a monster-of-the-week format, all while the threat of literal Hell hangs over their heads.
The show goes pretty deep into religious lore, but that’s not all that makes it so good. The Devil, played by Ray Wise, says the most outrageous things casually, which is a good fit for a being who’s been dealing with the worst souls in history for thousands of years. Surprisingly, the series never took off when it has a similar vibe to classic horror comedies like Shaun of the Dead, bringing humor to the Devil in a way that doesn’t detract from his power.
Supernatural (2005-2020)
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While Supernatural began as a show exploring the urban legends and horror stories specific to North America, the introduction of angels in season 4 launched the show’s interpretation of Christian mythos. The original end to the series was focused on the Winchester brothers resisting a conflict between Archangels Michael and Lucifer, who both played major roles in later seasons.
Though Sam (Jared Padalecki) was intended as Lucifer’s true vessel, fans recognize him best played by Mark Pellegrino. He tends to do what amuses him, which often includes mental and physical torment, and will never put anyone else before himself, despite his claims to still care for his family. This was originally one of the best representations of the Devil on television, but it was weakened as the show went on because the storylines for Lucifer became more childish over time.
The Collector (2004-2006)
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This Canadian series follows Morgan Pym as he tries to undo the harm he caused throughout his life. For centuries, he worked for the Devil to collect damned souls, but now he’s dedicated to trying to save them. The Devil, amused by this idea, lets him try. In the last 48 hours of their lives, Morgan has a chance to help them find redemption, though it’s often a losing battle.
The Collector’s presentation of the Devil is intriguing because different actors play him in each episode. This plays into the idea that the Devil could be anyone, which is far scarier than accepting any single actor's portrayal. Though he seems to delight in cruelty, The Collector’s Devil is ultimately fair, taking souls only if they make a deal with him and honoring his deal with Morgan if they manage to achieve redemption.
The Sandman (2022-Present)
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Though the beings in The Sandman seem comparable to Gods in their own right, Christian tradition does factor in through the character Lucifer Morningstar, who shows up in episodes "A Hope in Hell" and "Lost Hearts." The character, played by Game of Thrones’ Gwendoline Christie, challenges Morpheus to a duel and is seemingly being set up as the main antagonist for season 2.
Lucifer is cruel and unlikeable, capturing the character's darkest versions throughout history. In a slight deviation from the comics, the Devil is put front and center, which weakens her character slightly, as she ultimately loses to Morpheus only four episodes in. However, that could turn out to be a good source of motivation, if they give her character the proper attention in season 2.