Actor Tom Ellis is stepping away from the supernatural and into the gritty world of international espionage with his latest television project, bringing a fresh wave of charm and humor to the crime drama genre. Best known around the world for his defining role as the charismatic devil in the hit series Lucifer, the Welsh-born actor is now leading a new series titled CIA, a spin-off of the long-running franchise created by Dick Wolf and available on Universal+.
Born in Cardiff, Ellis spent years refining his craft in theater before transitioning into television across the United Kingdom. His career reached global heights when he took on the role of Lucifer Morningstar, a character adapted from DC Comics, which ran from 2016 through 2021 and cultivated an intensely devoted international fanbase. Following that supernatural phenomenon, Ellis tackled a starkly different and morally ambiguous role as university professor Oliver in the drama series Tell Me Lies. Now, as he takes on the character of Colin Glass in CIA, Ellis is examining the nuances of playing complex characters while reflecting on his journey through the entertainment industry.
In CIA, Ellis portrays Colin Glass, described as a charming yet deeply unreliable intelligence officer who finds himself forced into a partnership with Bill Goodman, an orthodox and rule-abiding FBI agent played by actor Nick Gehlfuss. According to interviews given by Ellis, he actively sought to infuse the high-stakes espionage narrative with a distinct sense of humor, drawing inspiration from contemporary spy thrillers like the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series Slow Horses. The actor noted that real-world service members and law enforcement personnel often rely on dark humor as an essential coping mechanism when dealing with the darker aspects of humanity, a dynamic he was keen to bring to his latest television role.
Building on the Success of Lucifer
However, the experience ultimately provided him with a profound sense of confidence as a performer. He noted that watching the show explode in popularity was a humbling journey that fundamentally shaped his creative decision-making when evaluating new scripts and characters.
Despite his extensive television resume, Ellis remains candid about experiencing moments of self-doubt, acknowledging that he frequently grapples with imposter syndrome alongside periods where he feels entirely certain of his place on set. He credits his early career training and a piece of enduring advice given to him decades ago by actor Mark Strong—urging performers to fully understand the specific tone of any project they join—as foundational guidance that continues to inform his work today.
Navigating Complex Morality on Screen
Before stepping into the espionage world of CIA, Ellis tested his dramatic limits by playing Oliver in Tell Me Lies, a character whose questionable ethical choices made him one of the actor’s most challenging assignments. Unlike the flamboyant and larger-than-life persona of Lucifer, Oliver required a more internalized, hollowed-out performance. Ellis shared that because he struggled to find personal empathy for the character’s reprehensible behavior, he had to emotionally empty himself during production, relying on his family life off-camera to reset at the end of each demanding workday.
Looking ahead, the 47-year-old actor expressed a strong desire to return to his theatrical roots. Having not performed in a stage production since approximately 2013, Ellis has made clear his aspirations to step back onto the boards and potentially collaborate with esteemed theatrical figures such as Mark Rylance and Kenneth Branagh. For now, audiences can watch his latest performance as CIA streams new episodes, with further broadcast details and availability managed directly through Universal+.
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