Netflix Revived Lucifer 7 Years Ago, Improving Its Final Seasons

Netflix has given a new chance to some popular TV shows, and seven years ago, it saved one of the best fantasy TV shows of the decade and actually made it better. With its extensive catalog of licensed and original content, Netflix has become not only one of the most used streaming platforms but also one of the most powerful streamers.

Some Netflix originals now rank among the best TV shows of all time, but in addition to producing its own content, Netflix has also given a new home to other shows. It’s not uncommon for a network to cancel a TV show only to be picked up by another, and with streaming taking over TV these days, some platforms have rescued some of those shows.

Such is the case with Netflix and the fantasy mystery TV show Lucifer, which, despite its success, was canceled and later picked up by Netflix, which not only gave it more seasons but also improved the show.

Lucifer Was Canceled By Fox & Saved By Netflix

Developed by Tom Kapinos, Lucifer is based on the character of the same name by DC Comics, created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg. This Lucifer is an alternate version of the one from the comic books, so there are some key differences between them – but he’s still dangerously charming.

Lucifer, then, follows the devil himself, Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), who was once a powerful archangel but was cast out of heaven and forced to spend millennia as the lord of Hell. However, Lucifer has grown tired, bored, and unhappy with his life in Hell, so he abdicates his throne to defy his father (God, of course) and moves to Los Angeles.

There, Lucifer runs his own nightclub and continues to use his unique charm to get what he wants. Lucifer’s life takes a turn when, one day, he finds himself involved in a murder investigation, and he meets LAPD detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German). Lucifer has the talent to make anyone tell him their deepest desires, but he’s shocked to see that Chloe is immune to his power.

Lucifer’s skills turn out to be useful for the LAPD, so he begins to work with Chloe, while he also struggles with his own past, trauma, and personal issues, most of them linked to Hell and his complex family history. Lucifer premiered on Fox in 2016, and though its first season got mixed reviews, the show greatly improved in its second season.

However, Fox canceled Lucifer in 2018 after three seasons due to a drop in viewership ratings, but luckily, it didn’t stay dead for long. A couple of weeks later, Netflix picked up the show after fans led an impressive and passionate campaign on social media to save the show. Once on Netflix, Lucifer ran for three more seasons from 2019 to 2021, officially ending after six seasons.

How Netflix Made Lucifer’s Final Seasons Better

While Lucifer struggled to keep its viewership numbers stable enough to guarantee more seasons over at Fox, it didn’t have that problem when it moved to Netflix. Lucifer reportedly had consistently high viewership during its run on Netflix, and this is thanks to the changes the streamer made to the show.

Network TV shows are still limited when it comes to how dark they can be, the themes they can address, the type of stories they can tell, and more. While Lucifer isn’t a violent or graphic show, moving to Netflix removed those network TV constraints and allowed it to be darker, more mature, and have more intense stories and scenes that were more fitting with the devil and other characters.

Netflix also changed Lucifer’s narrative style, going from a “case-of-the-week” format to an overarching plot that, in turn, allowed for more character development and wider representation. On top of that, the production value of Lucifer increased while at Netflix, making it more visually appealing.

It’s not surprising, then, that Lucifer’s viewership numbers and critical reception greatly improved when Netflix rescued the show, which also led it to stay for a bit longer. Lucifer is now one of the best fantasy TV shows of the decade, and that’s, in large part, thanks to Netflix giving it another chance.