When Lucifer first premiered on Fox in 2016, it seemed like just another crime procedural with a supernatural twist. But the show, based on the DC Comics character, quickly became a cult phenomenon thanks to its charismatic anti-hero, Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), and its unique blend of crime-solving and celestial drama. By the time it wrapped up on Netflix in 2021, it had amassed a devoted fanbase that literally saved it from the brink of cancellation.
What Is 'Lucifer' About?
The series follows Lucifer Morningstar, the Devil himself, who grows tired of his eternal punishment duties in Hell and decides to rebel against his father, God. He relocates to Los Angeles, where he runs a swanky nightclub called Lux and indulges in earthly pleasures. But his life takes an unexpected turn when he witnesses a murder outside his club and teams up with LAPD detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) to solve the case. Using his supernatural ability to draw out people's deepest desires, Lucifer becomes an unconventional crime consultant, much to the chagrin of celestial beings who want him back in Hell.
The show masterfully balances a classic procedural format—each episode features a new case—with an overarching mythology involving angels, demons, and biblical figures like Amenadiel (D. B. Woodside) and Eve (Inbar Lavi). As the seasons progress, the stakes escalate from personal dramas to cosmic battles, with Lucifer's relationships and his own humanity tested. It's this blend of forgotten fantasy gems and police work that made the show a standout in the streaming era.
The Fan Campaign That Changed Everything
Despite strong initial ratings, Lucifer faced a major crisis in 2018 when Fox canceled the show after its Season 3 cliffhanger. Viewership had dropped from an average of 7.17 million in Season 1 to 4.16 million by Season 3, and the network decided to pull the plug. Co-showrunner Joe Henderson later revealed that the cancellation came as a shock, especially since the finale was written as a cliffhanger assuming the show would continue.
But fans refused to let the Devil die. The #SaveLucifer campaign exploded on social media, with petitions, viral hashtags, and direct appeals to streaming platforms. The effort paid off when Netflix swooped in to revive the series for a fourth season, eventually ordering two more to complete the story. The campaign is a testament to the power of fandom in the modern TV landscape, where shows like these 7 Netflix shows can find new life through audience advocacy.
Netflix's gamble paid off: by the time Season 5 hit the platform, Lucifer had racked up 1.8 billion viewing minutes. The show's success on streaming proved that it was simply too good to let go, and it remains one of the best examples of a fan campaign saving a beloved series.
For those who haven't watched, Lucifer is a must-binge for fans of urban fantasy and crime thrillers. It's a show that starts as a lighthearted procedural but evolves into a deeply emotional story about redemption, family, and what it means to be human—even if you're the Devil himself.
