In more ways than one,Evilcomes off as the perfect spiritual follow-up to another highly acclaimed supernatural show that boasts a Rotten Tomatoes score of 87%. However, despite the similarities between the two, only one got the opportunity to end its runtime on a conclusive note. Created by Robert and Michelle King,Evilfirst landed on CBS on July 01, 2025. After performing well both critically and commercially, the show moved to Paramount+ for subsequent seasons, where it remained till its fourth installment marked the end of its run.
What madeEvila standout in the supernatural genre and allowed it to garner a massive following in a short duration was its ability to walk on the thin line between science and religion with its storytelling. With each new arc, the show introduces a new mystery that plays with the conventions of horror but also manages to instill both chills and thrills in viewers. However, as unique asEvil’s storyline might have seemed, it was not the first of its kind. Before it premiered on CBS, another highly acclaimed show dabbled with similar ideas and themes.
How Evil Was The Perfect Spiritual Successor To Preacher
Evil Came Out Right After Preacher Ended Its Run
AlthoughPreacherandEvildo not have any direct narrative connections,Evilcoincidentally premiered around the same timePreacherended its four-season run. The almost-perfect synchronicity between thePreacherseries' endingandEvil’s release madeEvilthe perfect replacement — or spiritual sequel/follow-up — toPreacher. LikePreacher,Evil masterfully presented a unique blend of psychological horror, dark humor, and social commentary that was as hilarious in some arcs as it was scary in others.
Evil Season 3 Ending Explained (In Detail)
Evil season 3 had a fairly shocking ending and sets up what’s to come. We break down the show’s season 3 finale, what Leland’s up to and more.
UnlikePreacher,Evilis not based on a comic book series. However, its original story beats feature a similar quest-like narrative where one or more characters are in the pursuit of learning more about their supernatural abilities and their place in the world. The two shows are also jampacked with religious symbolism and iconography, allowing them to explore profound themes revolving around humanity’s diminishing sense of faith and morality. With so many narrative intersections between the two, it is hard not to seeEvilasPreacher’s unofficial follow-up.
Preacher Got The Conclusive Ending That Evil Deserved
Many Plot Points In Evil Remain Unresolved After Season 4
Preacherseason 4’s endingneatly wraps up its overarching storyline by highlighting how its three main characters meet a grim fate. Like every television show, it leaves a few loose threads and plot holes behind, but its finale feels satisfying and well-rounded. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said aboutEvilseason 4’s abrupt ending. Despite having a strong four-season run and consistently landing in critics' good books,Evilwas canceled after four seasons even though it had many more supernatural stories to tell.
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The show’s creators, Michelle and Robert King, even had a few intriguing plot developments for season 5 in mind. For instance, they revealed (viaTV Insider) that they wanted to expand on the court system narrative and highlight how “demonic it can be.” They were also going to satirize their own work from their previous shows likeGood FightandGood Wifeto add another layer of “meta” and “self-reflecting” humor to the show’s narrative. Unfortunately, they never got to explore the full extent of their ambitious ideas withEvil, and the show never reached its natural conclusion.
Stephen King also campaigned forEvil’s return after season 5’s cancelation by demanding “More EVIL” through hisTwitter.
Key Background
Preacher
Preacher follows Jesse Custer, a Texas preacher, on his quest to confront the divine for abandoning humanity. Aided by Cassidy, a vampire, and Tulip, a gun-toting Texan, he wields the power of Genesis, a potent force born from an angel and a demon, to challenge celestial authority.
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.
