The 5 best telly depictions of the Devil

Amazon’s Lucifer is back and to celebrate, we’re featuring the best telly depictions of Hell’s Main Man himself.

Now, the silver screen is probably better known than television for churning out haunting and memorable depictions of the Devil himself. Who can forget Robert De Niro’s depiction in Angel Heart? And is it just us or was Jack Nicholson born to play Daryl Van Horne aka the Devil in The Witches of Eastwick?

But that’s not to say television hasn’t created some, er, alternative approaches to the original fallen angel…

1. Doctor Who – “The Beast”

Back in 2006, Doctor Who went for a decidedly less sexy version of Satan – presenting him as a monstrous demon known as “The Beast” that had been alive since before the beginning of time itself. Despite this advanced age, The Beast put technophobes to shame by working his magic through computer voices and holograms, as well as showing off his possession party trick.

2. South Park – “Satan”

South Park‘s depiction of Satan clearly spent a lot of time in the gym, judging by his buff physique. He’s also openly gay and at one point dated the abusive Saddam Hussein (South Park’s really not a show for the politically correct). He is generally portrayed as a good guy who occasionally attempts to take over over the world.

3. Ashes to Ashes – Jim Keats

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Keats was an altogether more serious depiction of the Devil, who acted through a human body to wreak havoc and bring down DCI Gene Hunt and the Fenchurch East division of the Greater London Metropolitan Police. While Keats didn’t do much in terms of flashing his supernatural abilities, his character did possess the macabre traits associated with Satan, being sadistic, violent and manipulative.

4. The Powerpuff Girls – “HIM”

It’s never explicitly stated that the camp baddie from The Powerpuff Girls is Satan, but look at the way he’s dressed. Seriously. HIM’s main objective was to take over the world, and his skills included possession, brainwashing and telepathy. Unfortunately he frequently found himself out of his depth facing three little girls with a curfew.

5. Lucifer – “Lucifer Morningstar”

Tom Ellis’ Lucifer is simultaneously everything we always and never imagined the devil to be: sexy, suave and… consulting with the LAPD? To be honest, if we think too much about Lucifer’s career choices our heads begin to hurt, so let’s focus on what this version can do. This Devil is able to make himself irresistible to women (fair) and uncover the deep, dark nature of possible criminals – oh yes.