Luciferstarted out as an episodic Fox procedural with a devilish twist - and were it not for an incredibly successful fan campaign, it would have ended that way too. Based on DC Comics' interpretation of Satan,Luciferstars Tom Ellis as the charming and complex Lucifer Morningstar, a fallen angel who abandons Hell to run a nightclub in Los Angeles and ends up working with the LAPD to punish criminals. Despite a growing fanbase and solid reviews, Fox canceledLuciferin 2018 after just three seasons, shocking viewers and igniting a wave of backlash.
At the time, it felt likeLuciferwas about to join the long list of cult-favoriteTV shows that were axed too soon. Thankfully, that’s not where the story ended.Luciferbecame a rare example of a series that got a second chance, thanks almost entirely to its passionate fanbase. When Netflix swooped in to revive it for a fourth season, the streaming giant gave the show the freedom it never had on network television. The result?Luciferevolved in a bold new direction that was darker, deeper, and far more character-driven. Netflix didn’t just saveLucifer- it elevated it.
Netflix Picked Up Lucifer After Fans Fought To Save The Show
Lucifer Was Saved By A Relentless Fan Campaign That Forced Netflix To Step In And Resurrect The Canceled Series
When Fox announcedthe cancellation ofLuciferin May 2018, it came as a massive blow to the show’s loyal audience. The third season ended with a major cliffhanger - Lucifer finally revealing his devil face to Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) - making the timing of the cancellation even more frustrating.
Despite steady ratings and a strong cult following,Fox decided the show no longer fit its programming slate.The decision was part of a broader trend at the time, as networks were increasingly prioritizing big-budget, high-concept dramas over serialized fantasy shows. Fans, however, weren’t ready to letLuciferdie.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. The#SaveLucifer and #PickUpLucifer hashtags began trending globally, with fans flooding social media, starting petitions, and even organizing letter-writing campaigns. One of the most notable efforts came fromthe show’s star, Tom Ellis,who took an active role in rallying the fanbase. His emotional interviews and social media presence helped keep the momentum going and made it impossible for networks and streaming services to ignore the noise.
Netflix eventually answered the call, officially picking upLuciferfor a fourth seasonin June 2018. In its announcement, Netflix acknowledged the fervor of the fan campaign as a major reason for the show’s revival. With a new home and greater creative freedom,Luciferreturned stronger than ever. What’s more, the switch to Netflix wasn’t just a continuation - it was a transformation.
How Lucifer’s Netflix Seasons Were Different From The Fox Days
Lucifer’s Netflix Era Ditched The Procedural Format And Focused On Deeper Storytelling
TheLuciferTV showthat returned on Netflixin 2019 wasn’t just more of the same - it was a reinvention. One of the most immediately noticeable changes was the structure. While Fox’s version ofLucifertypically featured 22-episode seasons filled with standalone“case of the week” plots, Netflix’s approach was tighter and more serialized.LuciferSeason 4 had just 10 episodes, allowing the showrunners to craft a more focused and cohesive narrative arc that leaned heavily into character development and mythology.
The Netflix seasons ofLuciferdemonstrated how a series can thrive when given room to grow.
Freed from the constraints of broadcast television,Luciferembraced bolder storytelling.The tone ofLuciferseason 4 was more mature, with storylines delving into complex moral dilemmas, theological themes, and deeply personal character arcs. Lucifer Morningstar’s internal struggle with identity, guilt, and redemption took center stage in a way that would’ve been difficult to sustain under the episodic format Fox favored. Relationships also received more attention, especially the evolving dynamic between Lucifer and Chloe, which was finally allowed to breathe and evolve naturally across episodes.
There were also technical improvements. Without network content restrictions,Lucifercould push boundaries with more stylized visuals, higher-stakes action sequences, and more emotionally intense moments. Supporting characters like Maze, Amenadiel, and Linda were also given expanded arcs that tied directly into the show’s central themes, rather than existing on the periphery. Overall, the Netflix seasons ofLuciferdemonstrated how a series can thrive when given room to grow.
The Campaign To Save Lucifer Was More Than Worth It
Lucifer Became A Stronger, More Satisfying Show Because Fans Refused To Let It End Too Soon
The #SaveLucifer campaign wasn’t just a social media trend - it was one of the most successful fan-led TV revival efforts of the streaming era. After Fox’s cancellation, the fandom mobilized in ways that rivaled campaigns for shows likeBrooklyn Nine-NineandVeronica Mars. However, what madeLuciferunique was that it didn’t just come back, it came back better.
A rare instance of a fan campaign not only rescuing a show, but helping it fulfill its full potential.
Luciferwasre-energized by its second life on Netflix, delivering some of its strongest storytelling and most emotional moments in the final three seasons. Netflix’s involvement allowed the writers to tell a complete, satisfying story on their own terms. Instead of facing another sudden cancellation, the showrunners were able to map out an ending that felt earned and emotionally resonant.
Season 6 ofLuciferin particulardelivered a deeply introspective and poignant farewell, culminating in a finale that honored both the characters and the fans who fought to keep them alive. It was a rare instance of a fan campaign not only rescuing a show, but helping it fulfill its full potential.
With an 88% score onRotten Tomatoes,Lucifer’s legacy as a success story is undeniable. It proved that fan voices matter, and that sometimes, the best version of a show comes only after its supposed end.Lucifermight have started on network TV, but it found its true identity - and its wings - on Netflix.
