The following contains spoilers for Evil, now streaming on Netflix and Paramount+Evil's best characters range from the heroic to the demonic, all filtered through the show's unique blend of character drama, unexpected comedy, and grim horror. Evil focuses on a group of "Assessors," tasked with the Church to investigate potential demonic forces operating on Earth. The procedural nature of the show allowed for almost every episode to have stand-alone qualities, even as it expanded the universe and explored the grim backstories of the central heroes.
One of the things that makes the show such a compelling watch (to the point where Stephen King was a vocal champion of Evil) is the attention paid to the show's central cast of characters. There are plenty of classic horror archetypes in the show's cast, but they're all given unexpected shades that make them uniquely compelling. These edges elevate the series into a fantastic show (that unfortunately ended far too soon, with Evil's season 4 finale ending the story). Here are the best ten characters in Evil and what they bring to the show's unique tonal balance.
10 George
A Demonic Haunting That Highlights Everything Great About Evil
George is one of the most instantly recognizable characters in Evil, and a great indicator of the show's approach to horror. George is the demon that appears frequently to Kristen, antagonizing her and belittling her attempts to logically explain his presence. His genuinely unsettling appearance gives George an instantly memorable look that plays into some of Evil's scary nature. However, he's also an unexpectedly funny character, with an uncanny ability to shift from scary to silly and back again with a natural charm.
Evil Main Characters
Cast
Dr. Kristen Bouchard
Katja Herbers
David Acosta
Mike Colter
Ben Shakir
Aasif Mandvi
Dr. Leland Townsend
Michael Emerson
Sheryl Luria
Christine Lahti
Dr. Kurt Boggs
Kurt Fuller
Sister Andrea
Andrea Martin
George/The Devil Therapist, The Manager Demon
Marti Matulis
Euan Morton's vocal performance gives a casual edge to Marti Matulis’ great physical acting, leading to a strangely compelling fusion that makes George a great example of Evil's expansive cast. George is undeniably scary, and his presence at the onset of the series serves as an ideal way to introduce the show’s approach to horror. However, George's unexpected charms lend the character a memorable and enduring quality, even when compared to the rest of the show’s cast.
9 The Devil Therapist
Even Evil Needs To Talk Things Out Sometimes
The Therapist initially appears to be ridiculous character, introduced in “Justice x 2” as a great example of the inner workings of demons Evil's unique universe. The Therapist is a seemingly genial member of the Sixty, the demonically-aligned antagonists of Evil. His demeanor as a seemingly soft-spoken therapist for Leiland is contrasted with his Baphomet-inspired appearance and villainous inklings. The sheer nature of the Therapist is a funny reveal that elevates his subsequent appearances with a casual element that separates him from most demons in fiction.
The Therapist is played physically by Marti Matulis, who also plays George. The Therapist's vocal performance is delivered by Michael Cerveris.
This is only compounded by his design, an impressive showcase for the show’s make-up and costume team. Although he only appeared a few times in the series before being killed off, this show of restraint ensured each of his appearances was entertaining and memorable. In many ways, the Therapist serves as an ideal showcase for how Evil works best, a surprisingly human approach to the unknowable and horrifying secrets of the universe.
8 Demon Kristen (The Mosquito Demon)
A Dark Doppelganger Of Kristen Became One Of Evil's Most Unexpectedly Compelling Characters
Evil Kristen, aka the Mosquito Demon, is one of Evil's most compelling minor characters, a figure sent to seduce and drain David by preying on his attraction to his teammate. Evil Kristen's salacious side gave Katja Herbers the perfect outlet for a more aggressive and campy performance, all while serving an ideal contrast against the main version of Kristen. The most engaging aspect of Evil Kristen though is her surprisingly sympathetic moments.
Evil's highest-rated episode on IMDb showcases exactly why season 5 needs to happen despite the series’ abrupt cancelation by Paramount+.
As the series progresses, Evil Kristen becomes a more emotionally attached figure, genuinely trying to reach out to David. This makes their last scenes together surprisingly emotional, with Evil Kristen’s final appearances carrying a surprisingly bittersweet tenor to them as a result. Evil Kristen highlights the moral complications and unexpected humanity that always made Evil an engaging watch, and is one of the show’s best demons.
7 Monsignor Matthew Korecki
One Of Evil's Best Allies Is Elevated By A Terrific Subplot In Season 3
Monsignor Matthew Korecki is one of the primary allies that the assessors come to rely on in Evil. Effectively serving as the Assessor's connection to the Catholic Church and David's superior in the Christian organization, Matthew Korecki is a minor but likable character for much of his time on the show. He's a definite ally of the heroes in a world of mysterious motivations, shifting in importance over time (and even briefly disappearing from the plot in season 2) even while he wrestles with orders from his own superiors. His scenes with Leland speak to his actual motivations in clever ways.
Matthew Korecki appeared in 14 episodes of
Evil
, and was killed off in the penultimate episode of season 3.
However, the character's heroic actions in season 3 and the revelations about his true connection to Wallace Shawn's Father Ignatius (who just barely missed being on this list) bring a greater sense of tragic depth to the character in light of his final fight with Leland. Korecki in theory should be a completely forgettable figure. However, Boris McGiver's deceptively heartfelt approach to the character elevates him through some unexpected humor and heroism.
6 Victor LeConte
LeConte Brought A Fresh Espionage Energy To Evil
An agent of the Entity who serves as the overseer of several black ops assignments across the world, Victor LeConte brings a cool energy and espionage tone to Evil. Effectively serving as a black-ops handler who becomes a mysterious ally in season 3, LeConte's inclusion is one of the best elements of Evil season 3. His involvement forces heroes like the Assessors to work with someone outside their usual wheelhouse. Even compared to the rest of Evil's blend of character dramedy and urban horror, LeConte brings a cool edge to the story that fits neatly into the show's approach to genre fusion.
One of the biggest shames about
Evil
not continuing for season 5 is that it means audiences won't get a chance to learn more about LeConte and his "friends" in the Vatican, as well as their efforts to combat demonic forces.
In a weaker version of Evil, LeConte would shift the show off its axis and into a different direction. However, the character remains a unique addition to the series all while fitting neatly into the overall tonal and thematic structure of the show. One of the biggest shames about Evil not continuing for season 5 is that it means audiences won't get a chance to learn more about LeConte and his "friends" in the Vatican, as well as their efforts to combat demonic forces.
5 Andrea
Sister Andrea Is A Crucial (And Incredibly Likable) Ally In Evil
Andrea is one of the most entertaining characters in Evil, serving as one of the show's best sources of snarky comedy and reliable dependence. Quickly proving to be one of the most dependable members of the Church for the Assessors to rely upon in times of danger, Andrea and her visions becomes a consistent resource for the heroes throughout Evil's run. She's a memorable supporting character as a result, quick to lend a hand when necessary while never being afraid to speak her mind.
Her best moments come when she serves as a counter to the efforts of Leiland to corrupt the Church into his own devices, all while contending with her own doubts. Andrea also stands out for her surprising connection with David, giving her a deeper emotional throughline to the show's main cast. Sister Andrea is the best supporting character in Evil, and definitely one of the best examples of the show turning standard archetypes like “the helpful nun” into something far more interesting.
4 Dr. Leland Townsend
Michael Emerson Brings Another Iconic Villain To Life
Michael Emerson spoke with
Screen Rant
about his performance as Leland in season 4 of
Evil
.
Leland's overt confidence but shaky personal strength makes him an ideal figure for the Assessors to bounce off of. Emerson has always had a talent for playing unsettling characters, a skill that the actor brings to Leland with lived-in ease. However, it’s those unexpected moments of dark comedy or surprising vulnerability that make Leland such a memorable and effective antagonist in the series, as he comes across less as an unstoppable force and more as a flawed human who's embraced a dark world that he seeks to bring others (like Kristen's mother Sheryl) into.
3 Ben Shakir
Evil's Resident Skeptic Brought Depth To Standard Horror Character Tropes
Ben Shakir is one of the most fascinating twists on a classic horror archetype in Evil, and that’s saying something given the show’s commitment to unexpected tweaks to the genre. A Muslim-raised atheist with a guilt complex over his former work as a geneticist, Ben has found a new calling as a "carpenter" and aid to David's demonic investigations. Ben brings a snarky and disbelieving edge to the show that helps flesh out the central dynamics, and proves to be a competent and consistent hero throughout.
Exclusive: Evil season 4’s haunting Ben storyline is teased by Aasif Mandvi, who previews the new episodes of the Paramount+ supernatural thriller.
However, what makes Ben really engaging beyond his genuine heroism is a the grounded approach Aasif Mandvi brings to him. While he may be a skilled engineer, he's also one with regrets, doubts, and his own views on faith. Ben is a fresh approach to the "non-believer" characters that often appear in horror stories. Ben never loses that skepticism, even as he proves his noble spirit by going against horrible threats. Played gamely by Mandvi, Ben is a great character and one of the best additions that Evil makes to the horror canon of characters.
2 Kristen
Evil Took Kristen To Some Wild Places, And Kristen Bouchard Brought It To Fantastic Life
Arguably the closest thing Evil has to a central main character, Katja Herbers' Kristen Bouchard is a compelling and quietly complex figure that drives the show forward. A psychiatric consultant who is brought onto David's mission (and develops a complicated attraction to him), Kristen's efforts to protect her family and help David's investigations into the paranormal set her up to be a standard horror hero. However, Kristen's shades of gray, moral complexity, and connection to the supernatural forces working against them give her unexpected layers to be explored in Evil.
Kristen's shades of gray, moral complexity, and connection to the supernatural forces working against them give her unexpected layers to be explored in
Evil
.
Despite all this, Kristen remains a compelling hero in her own right, with a strong humanist core (even as the show forces her down dark paths). While things may never be easy for Kristen, especially as the demonic forces moving behind the scenes take a greater interest in her, Kristen remains a committed mother and noble figure. This makes the teases of where Evil could have gone all the more enticing, especially how Kristen's romantic tension with David could have played out.
1 David
Evil's Best Character Is Also Its Most Heroic
A priest in training and the primary assessor for the diocese in New York City, Mike Colter's David is the best character in Evil. The most overtly and classically heroic character within Evil, David's efforts to be a good priest in training stems from his own failings as a man. This sets up a compelling exploration of a good person trying to make themselves better, highlighting the personal challenges faced by noble efforts. It's a deceptively tricky character, but Colter's acting and the show's writing transformed David into a compelling exploration of morality and personal growth.
This is on top of the character being an inherently fun lead, with a layer of confidence and humor that make him an ideal lead character. Ben is the beating heart at the center of Evil, his internal strength exposing the vulnerabilities of demons and the potential of people. In a series devoted to exploring the horror genre from many angles but with an ultimately hopeful perspective, a troubled man of committed faith like David is the perfect protagonist. All of that, coupled with Colter's solid performance in the role, make David the best character in Evil.
Evil is a psychological mystery series that follows a skeptical forensic psychologist, Kristen Bouchard, who teams up with a Catholic priest-in-training and a tech expert to investigate purportedly supernatural incidents. The series delves into complex themes of religion, science, and the nature of evil through its deeply layered narrative and character development. The show stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, and Aasif Mandvi.
CastKatja Herbers , Mike Colter , Aasif Mandvi , Michael Emerson , Maddy Crocco , Brooklyn Shuck , Skylar Gray , Dalya Knapp , Christine Lahti , Kurt Fuller , Marti Matulis , Andrea Martin , Patrick Brammall , Boris McGiver , Sohina Sidhu , Wallace Shawn , Peter Scolari , Brian D'Arcy James , Molly Brown , Fedor Steer , Ashley Edner , Danny Burstein , Chukwudi Iwuji , Euan Morton , Li Jun Li , Kristen Connolly , Brian Stokes Mitchell , Darren Pettie , Clark Johnson , Nicole Shalhoub
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
:quality(85):upscale()/2024/11/15/862/n/1922153/911b7d1c6737a4111b6008.57513343_.png)
English (US) ·