NBC’s cancellation of Constantine after 13 episodes cut short one of its most promising supernatural thrillers. The series felt like a natural bridge between Angel, the mature and shadowy Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff led by David Boreanaz, and Lucifer, Tom Ellis’s DC series about Lucifer Morningstar leaving Hell to understand humanity. While other supernatural dramas have come and gone, both shows became defining examples of urban fantasy, and Constantine was built to occupy that same space.
Urban fantasy has proven it can stand alongside high-fantasy franchises such as The Witcher and Shadow & Bone. Its strongest entries often blend rich mythology with neo-noir detective storytelling. Angel and Lucifer are among the best-known examples, but Constantine offered another memorable take before NBC ended it after a single season.
Adapted from the Hellblazer comics, Constantine followed John Constantine, a master occult magician whose soul had been sold to the netherworld. John joined forces with Liv, the daughter of his closest friend, a young woman with second sight who could perceive other worlds and foresee supernatural events. Together, they hunted demons and returned them to Hell in a case-driven format. Although the series had its own identity, its tone and structure clearly recalled Angel and Lucifer.
How Constantine Blended Angel’s Grit With Lucifer’s Style
Constantine, Angel, and Lucifer all unfold within carefully developed supernatural worlds. Their leads are morally ambiguous figures who rely on manipulation and risky methods to achieve their goals. Each can be viewed as a hard-boiled detective operating within a neo-noir framework, except that their mysteries involve demons, magic, and the occult rather than ordinary crime. Constantine and Angel bring a brooding atmosphere, while Constantine and Lucifer lean more heavily into sarcasm. Despite their differences, all three characters wrestle with guilt and the possibility of redemption.
Why Constantine’s Cancellation Was a Major Missed Opportunity
John Constantine had already been portrayed by Keanu Reeves in the 2005 film, but many viewers regard Matt Ryan’s performance as the definitive screen interpretation. Ryan captured the character’s appearance, wardrobe, mannerisms, and temperament so effectively that he became closely associated with the DC Vertigo antihero. NBC’s decision to cancel the series was therefore especially disappointing. The first-season story gained strength toward its conclusion, and a second season had clear potential to build on that momentum.
Constantine later found a second home in the Arrowverse, where Matt Ryan’s version of the character was incorporated into Legends of Tomorrow. Much of the series’ mythology remained consistent, allowing John to fit naturally into the wider DC universe. The crossover also addressed several major cliffhangers, while Constantine’s aggressive smoking-related lung cancer became part of Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits.
There were trade-offs. To align him with the Arrowverse’s visual style, Constantine’s trench coat appeared cleaner and his hair slightly lighter. He also used magic more freely, a choice that eventually created consequences for the character. His isolation changed as well once he was placed in an ensemble. Even so, bringing him into the Arrowverse was a sensible alternative after NBC chose not to continue the standalone series.
