Fox is airing its newest show "Lucifer" on Jan. 25. In the show, the Lord of Hell is not the stereotypical cleft-footed, red-skinned, horned devil with a pitchfork pushing sinners to the flames while laughing maniacally, as many cartoons and religious interpretations make him out to be.
Instead, "Lucifer" features a reimagined Lord of Darkness in the modern earthly setting of Los Angeles, turning the City of Angels into a City of the Ultimate Fallen Angel who is good looking, charismatic and has a penchant for solving crimes.
Fox's loose television adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Lucifer Morningstar in the DC Comics "The Sandman" stars Tom Ellis in the lead role. Lucifer Morningstar is the fallen angel in charge of the realm called Hell where humans go after death to receive punishment. However, he's bored of hell, he's tired of humans blaming all the evil things they do on him and he's had enough of it.
What else would a bored fallen angel do?
Enter the earthly realm and open up a nightclub called "Lux" so he could see for himself what the deal is with humans, of course.
"It's a study for him where he just wants to see why humans are doing what they're doing," Len Wiseman, the show's executive producer, said at the Television Critics Association press tour.
"Lucifer is about exploring humanity and desires," added Joe Henderson, who is also one of the show's executive producers.
"It's not some big theological debate. It's fun. Everyone feels they have a certain perception of the devil, and we're using that to tell a story," Ellis said of the series.
He also added that, if there is anything to be taken out of the plot, it's that humans should evaluate themselves and take responsibility for their own actions instead of pushing blame on an unknown force.
One writer's impression of Lucifer from the pilot episode is that of "a teenage boy with his dad's Amex." The producers, however, said that the characterization was intentional and that, when together with Los Angeles Police Department detective Chloe Decker (played by Lauren German), the characters strike a balance with each other.
Basing a television series from a character created by a master storyteller like Gaiman seems like a promise of good entertainment, but let's hope the show doesn't rely too much on the campy elements, especially with a character as powerful - in every sense of the word - as Lucifer Morningstar. The idea that Lucifer is intrigued by Detective Decker is anchored on the fact that she seems immune to his powers. However, this calls upon an image of a certain cringe-worthy immortal, so it's best if Fox makes sure to steer clear of it. Other aspects considered, "Lucifer" seems to be a series worth watching.
Check out the trailer below.
