Netflix’s DC Comics Dark Fantasy Series ‘Lucifer’ Is the Perfect 6-Part Binge-Watch on Streaming

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For years, if you wanted to see DC characters brought to life on TV, The CW was the place to be. Shows like Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and honestly, the fantastic Superman & Lois, really built what we knew as the DC TV Universe. But let’s be real, those shows always felt distinctly… CW. Then, back in 2016, a different DC show premiered – one that didn’t live on The CW. It’s moved around a bit, hopping between networks and streaming services, but in my opinion, it’s still the best DC series to just sit down and watch all the way through.

In 2016, Fox surprised comic book fans with a unique take on a character from DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint. The show didn’t follow a specific comic book storyline, but instead created an original story around a well-known character, presented in an episodic format. Although Fox ended the show after three seasons, fans were passionate about it and successfully campaigned for Netflix to continue it. This allowed viewers to enjoy three more seasons featuring DC’s intriguing and complicated anti-hero, Lucifer.

Lucifer, as the name implies, is the Devil within the DC Comics world. The version of the character featured in the TV show was originally created by author Neil Gaiman and first appeared in his comic book series, The Sandman. Mike Carey later gave Lucifer his own 75-issue comic run from 2000 to 2006. The Fox television show Lucifer also built upon Gaiman’s creation, telling an original story. However, unlike the darker comic books, the show put the Devil in a lighthearted, case-of-the-week police drama, and it worked surprisingly well.

‘Lucifer’ Shouldn’t Have Worked

The premise of Lucifer – a police procedural about the Devil set in Los Angeles – initially sounds like something from a cheesy 1980s fantasy show. However, the series surprisingly worked, balancing a wild idea with believable storytelling and a playful tone. A major reason for its success was Tom Ellis’s performance as Lucifer. The British actor brought a special charisma to the role, making even the character’s darker impulses feel funny and endearing.

Lucifer’s partner and the main perspective of the show was Chloe Decker, played by Lauren German. She helped keep the fantastical story grounded and Lucifer relatable. Over six seasons, the series explored Lucifer dealing with surprisingly human problems – he helped Cain overcome his immortality, worked through issues with his own father, and confronted the complicated dynamics of his family and his role in Hell. It sounds wild, but the show manages to pull it off.

Critics Hated ‘Lucifer’s First Season… But Eventually Fell in Love


Fox

It was pretty clear from the passionate fan efforts to keep it on the air that Lucifer was a hugely popular show while it was on TV. It currently has an 87% rating from critics and a 73% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, despite its later success, critics didn’t like the first season – especially surprising considering Fox cancelled it after only three seasons.

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The show got off to a rocky start with critics, earning only a 49% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season. Viewers enjoyed it more, giving it a 77% audience score. But critics completely changed their minds with Season 2, giving it a perfect 100% rating. The show continued to impress, with every season after that—including Seasons 3 and 4—also receiving a perfect 100% rating and being certified fresh.

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2026-02-22 04:17