‘Lucifer’: Who Plays God in Season 5, and Why Does He Look So Familiar?
Lucifer is back on Netflix with the second half of season 5. But fans may have noticed a brand new addition to the cast. Dennis Haysbert plays God in the series, and here’s why the actor looks so familiar.
Dennis Haysbert has been acting for over 40 years
Haysbert is an American actor who started his career in the late ‘70s with guest roles on shows like Laverne & Shirley and Lou Grant. He appeared on several series throughout the 1980s, including Off the Rack, Growing Pains, The Facts of Life, and The Young and the Restless.
But one of Haysbert’s most notable TV roles was playing David Palmer on the hit FOX drama, 24. He appeared on five seasons of the series and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 2002.
Haysbert also has an impressive list of film credits which include Far From Heaven and The Dark Tower. Since 2003, the actor has appeared in dozens of Allstate Insurance commercials as an official spokesman.
Dennis Haysbert plays God in ‘Lucifer’ Season 5B
Haysbert made his debut as God in the Lucifer season 5A finale and returned for the second half of the season. When talking to EW, the actor revealed how challenging it is to play Lucifer (Tom Ellis) and Amenadiel’s (DB Woodside) almighty father.
“You ask yourself, if someone is pouring their heart [out] to you and you don’t react because you have a plan that they’re not privy to, how do you react?” Haysbert said. “That’s what you have figure out. He doesn’t give up much. He just takes it all in. You can’t insult him. You can’t hurt his feelings.”
“But I don’t approach it without love, and love and light,” he added. “Everything is about love. I love my sons. I love all the characters I encounter.”
Dennis Haysbert’s ‘Lucifer’ co-stars are in awe of him
Haysbert’s Lucifer co-stars, Tom Ellis and DB Woodside, recently revealed how thrilled they are to work with the actor. “Every time I talk about [God], the hairs on my arm go up because Dennis Haysbert is just brilliant as a human being and as an actor, and playing the role of Dad on this show,” Ellis told EW.
Woodside, who also directed an episode this season, played Haysbert’s character’s brother, Wayne Palmer, on 24. And when talking to TV Line, he revealed how much admiration he has for the actor.
“First of all, I mean Dennis Haysbert is just one of my favorites,” Woodside said. “And so, the first thing that I have to say is I feel so incredibly honored that Dennis would come to do the show. It’d been such a long time since he and I had been on the screen together.”
