Summary

• Tom Ellis will play God in Netflix's animated show Exploding Kittens, based on the tabletop game of the same name.
• Ellis' new TV show hilariously reverses his devilish role in Lucifer, though its take on God is anything but traditional.
• God's journey in Exploding Kittens mirrors Lucifer Morningstar's in one key way, making Ellis perfect for the part.

Tom Ellis' new Netflix show completely reverses his Lucifer role, and it does so in a hilarious way. Ellis is best known for playing the titular devil in the hit series Lucifer, but he's appeared in a number of movies and shows since taking on the iconic role. And the actor will star in another Netflix series coming out in 2024, this time utilizing his acting talents to voice an animated main character. The character in question embarks on a similar journey to Lucifer Morningstar, though he couldn't be more different from the devil.

In Lucifer, Ellis' lead spends his time on Earth rather than in Hell — seemingly the perfect way to defy his father. When he begins solving cases with Detective Chloe Decker of the LAPD, his connection to Earth and the humans there evolves, taking him on a journey full of growth and sacrifice. Ellis portrays Lucifer masterfully, and he'll likely shine in his new Netflix show as well. The series hilariously reverses his Lucifer role, but it also has a fair bit in common with it.

Tom Ellis' New Netflix Role Is The Complete Opposite Of His Lucifer Character

The Actor Is Playing God In Netflix's Exploding Kittens Show

While Ellis played the devil in all six seasons of Lucifer, the actor is taking on the role of God in Netflix's Exploding Kittens show. The series is based on the tabletop card game of the same name, and it sees Ellis' God being sent down to Earth with one caveat; he'll take the form of a cat while he's there. Playing God is a far cry from playing Lucifer Morningstar, and it's hilarious that Ellis will cover religious figures at both ends of the spectrum. Funnily enough, he'll also fight a cat version of the devil in the show.

Playing God is a far cry from playing Lucifer Morningstar, and it's hilarious that Ellis will cover religious figures at both ends of the spectrum.

It's difficult to envision Ellis as God, especially after associating him with Lucifer for so long. However, Exploding Kittens' take on the almighty figure isn't exactly traditional. The Exploding Kittens trailer offers a glimpse at Ellis' God, and it opens with him being told that he needs "to be rehabilitated." This means the actor will get to play a nuanced, imperfect character yet again. That character's arc also resembles Lucifer Morningstar's in some ways, making Exploding Kittens a brilliant reversal of Ellis' prior series.

Exploding Kittens Hilariously Reverses Tom Ellis' Lucifer Role (With A Twist)

God Finds Himself In A Similar Situation To Lucifer Morningstar

Although God and Lucifer are supposed to be polar opposites, Ellis' characters find themselves on similar journeys in their respective TV shows. The Exploding Kittens trailer reveals that God will be sent to Earth for his rehabilitation, forcing him to interact and empathize with humans. While Lucifer goes to Earth of his own volition, he's also banished from Heaven against his will. He learns more about humans while he's gone, and he comes to admire them. By Lucifer's emotional ending, he even returns to Hell so that he can help them.

Given the resemblance between his journey and Lucifer's, Ellis is perfectly poised to excel in this new role

Judging by the initial looks at Exploding Kittens, Ellis' grumpier version of God will have a similar experience with the humans he encounters on Earth. There's a twist — he'll be interacting with his subjects from the lens of a cat — but his eventual warming to humans seems the same. This will likely inspire him to be a better God, pushing him to help his subjects. Given the resemblance between his journey and Lucifer's, Ellis is perfectly poised to excel in this new role.

Exploding Kittens Looks Like It Could Be 1 Of Tom Ellis' Funniest Projects Yet

The Netflix Show Looks Just As Silly As The Game

Exploding Kittens is poised to tell an interesting narrative about God and his subjects, but it also looks like it could be one of Ellis' funniest projects yet. Anyone who's played the game Exploding Kittens will know how absurd the cards and premise are. The series is staying faithful to those elements of its tabletop inspiration by leaning into the humor of the main character's story. The animated series promises absurd conflicts between God and the devil, as well as some hilarious — and gross — scenes that see God adjusting to life as a cat.

With such a ridiculous setup and talent like Ellis leading the way, Exploding Kittens will likely be a fun ride — even if it's a bit outlandish. Everything revealed about the series so far suggests that it could become yet another beloved animated show aimed at adults. Only time will tell if it elicits as much laughter as series like Bob's Burgers or Rick & Morty. Exploding Kittens debuts this summer, so viewers will get a better idea of the show's quality then.

Exploding Kittens will premiere on Netflix in July 2024.