After six transformative seasons as Lucifer Morningstar, Tom Ellis is ready to move beyond the red devil suit and embark on an exciting new journey. The beloved Welsh actor has closed a monumental chapter in his career, leaving behind the supernatural detective world of Los Angeles—and stepping boldly into a new crime‑drama frontier.
**“Lucifer” ran from 2016 to 2021**, beginning on Fox for three seasons before Netflix revived it for another three—thanks to a massive grassroots campaign from fans known as “Lucifans” ([en.wikipedia.org][1]). Throughout this six‑year run, Ellis brought to life a devilishly charming anti‑hero navigating redemption, parenting, and existential purpose . The final season delivered an emotionally satisfying conclusion: Lucifer returns to Hell as a therapist, working to redeem lost souls—a symbolic closure to his character’s long emotional journey ([nerdalertnews.net][2]).
Ellis has called the finale “good‑slash‑great,” a fitting capstone to a character arc defined by layers of mischief, humour, and vulnerability ([cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com][3]). And even though he’s open to revisiting the character in a film format, he’s adamant this was the right moment to say goodbye ([theguardian.com][4]).
### What Comes After Lucifer?
For Ellis, the conclusion of “Lucifer” feels like a clean slate. He’s expressed that he isn’t rushing into another long‑running TV role after devoting so much to this one character ([collider.com][5]). Instead, he yearns for variety: limited series, feature films, theatre—even musicals, having rediscovered a love for singing through the Lucifer experience ([collider.com][5]).
Indeed, several projects are already on his plate:
* **“CIA”**: Ellis is starring in an upcoming crime‑drama set in the “FBI” universe. He plays a “fast‑talking, rule‑breaking loose‑cannon” CIA officer partnered with a by‑the‑book FBI agent. The series, created by Dick Wolf and David Hudgins, is slated for the 2025–2026 broadcast season ([people.com][6]).
* **“Washington Black”**: A Hulu limited series adaptation of the acclaimed novel, starring Ellis as Christopher “Titch” Wilde, alongside Sterling K. Brown ([looper.com][7]).
* **“Second Wife”**: A dark comedy series created by his wife, Meaghan Oppenheimer, in which Ellis serves as lead and producer ([thenewsroom.com.ng][8]).
* **“Players”**: A Netflix romantic comedy dating from 2024, where Ellis co-stars with Gina Rodriguez. The film allowed him to flex comedic skills beyond what Lucifer demanded ([looper.com][7]).
* **Voice Role in “Exploding Kittens”**: A quirky turn voicing “Godcat” in the Netflix animated series ([thenewsroom.com.ng][8]).
### A Personal Reset
Beyond professional reinvention, Ellis is also embracing personal evolution. He and Oppenheimer welcomed their second child via surrogate in November 2023 ([en.wikipedia.org][9]). Reflecting on his Lucifer role, he’s revealed how playing the devil was cathartic—opening him up emotionally, and easing earlier insecurities about shirtless scenes ([people.com][10]).
He’s credited “Lucifer” for rekindling his love of singing—a passion he might explore in future projects, potentially even a musical ([collider.com][5]). Meanwhile, he’s open to returning to the stage; theatre holds a special place in his heart from his early training in Glasgow ([theguardian.com][4]).
### Why This Transition Matters
Ellis’s career trajectory highlights a thoughtful balance between fan-favorite roles and artistic diversity. After inhabiting a single character deeply for six years, his pivot demonstrates a desire to avoid typecasting, challenge himself creatively, and explore roles across genres—from gritty CIA dramas to heartfelt limited series and vibrant rom-coms.
### Final Thoughts
Tom Ellis exits the Lucifer universe with grace and purpose. He doesn’t just close the door on Hell; he opens several onto new artistic landscapes: network television, streaming, film, animation, and maybe even musicals and stage work. For fans, it’s a bittersweet farewell to a beloved Devil—but it’s also the exciting dawn of a new era in Ellis’s working life.
So even as we bid adieu to Amenadiel’s pen‐chanted brother, we can’t help but smile at what comes next—our charming Welsh star is just getting warmed up.
—
* [thesun.co.uk](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/34595808/lucifer-hunk-lands-lead-role-in-new-crime-drama/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [people.com](https://people.com/lucifer-star-tom-ellis-lead-new-fbi-spinoff-series-cia-11720791?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer_%28TV_series%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Lucifer (TV series)”
[2]: https://nerdalertnews.net/interview-tom-ellis-chats-final-lucifer-episodes-with-netflix/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Interview: Tom Ellis Chats Final ‘Lucifer’ Episodes with Netflix – Nerd Alert News”
[3]: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/lucifer-netflix-series-finale-tom-ellis-lauren-german-278856?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Lucifer star Tom Ellis promises ‘good-slash-great’ series finale – CNA Lifestyle”
[4]: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/20/lucifers-tom-ellis-i-dont-mind-being-remembered-as-mirandas-boyfriend?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Lucifer’s Tom Ellis: ‘I don’t mind being remembered as Miranda’s boyfriend’ | Television & radio | The Guardian”
[5]: https://collider.com/lucifer-tom-ellis-interview-season-6-ending-netflix/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Lucifer: Tom Ellis on Season 6’s Wild Ending”
[6]: https://people.com/lucifer-star-tom-ellis-lead-new-fbi-spinoff-series-cia-11720791?utm_source=chatgpt.com “\”Lucifer\”‘s Tom Ellis to Lead New \”FBI\” Offshoot \”CIA\” Following \”FBI: International \”and\” FBI: Most Wanted\” Cancellations”
[7]: https://www.looper.com/1390481/lucifer-morningstar-whatever-happened-to-tom-ellis/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Whatever Happened To Tom Ellis From Lucifer?”
[8]: https://www.thenewsroom.com.ng/2025/01/whatever-happened-to-the-lucifer-cast-what-are-they-doing-today/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Whatever Happened To The Lucifer Cast & What Are They Doing Today?”
[9]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Ellis_%28actor%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Tom Ellis (actor)”
[10]: https://people.com/lucifer-star-tom-ellis-no-longer-insecure-filming-shirtless-exclusive-8558969?utm_source=chatgpt.com “\”Players\” and \”Lucifer\” Star Tom Ellis Is No Longer ‘Riddled with Insecurity’ in Shirtless Scenes (Exclusive)”