Tom Ellis on Embracing Morally Gray Roles in CIA After Lucifer

For Welsh actor Tom Ellis, the transition from playing the devil to a CIA operative is more than just a career shift—it’s a physical and psychological evolution that highlights the intersection of mental health, identity, and the demands of high-stakes roles. After six years embodying Lucifer Morningstar, the charismatic Prince of Darkness, Ellis has embraced a new challenge: portraying Colin Glass, a morally ambiguous CIA agent in CBS’s latest procedural, CIA. The role not only tests his acting range but also underscores the toll that long-term character immersion can take on an actor’s well-being, particularly when navigating the blurred lines between fiction and reality.

The Psychological Weight of Morally Gray Characters

Ellis’s journey from Lucifer to CIA offers a rare glimpse into the mental health considerations of actors who inhabit complex, morally ambiguous roles for extended periods. In Lucifer, Ellis played a character who defied conventional notions of good and evil, using charm and manipulation to navigate human desires. The role required him to tap into a version of himself that was both alluring and unsettling—a dynamic that resonated deeply with audiences but also left a lasting imprint on the actor.

“After spending six years as the Prince of Darkness, I’ve become comfortable playing morally gray characters,” Ellis said in a recent interview. This comfort, however, comes with its own set of challenges. Research in psychology suggests that actors who immerse themselves in roles that deviate significantly from their personal values or real-life personas may experience what is known as “character bleed,” where the traits, emotions, or behaviors of a fictional role seep into their off-screen lives. For Ellis, this phenomenon may have been amplified by the sheer duration of his time as Lucifer, a character who thrives on deception, seduction, and moral flexibility.

Dr. Dacher Keltner, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and the director of the Greater Good Science Center, has studied the psychological effects of acting. He notes that while method acting and deep character immersion can be creatively fulfilling, they can also lead to emotional exhaustion, identity confusion, or even temporary dissociation from one’s own values. “When an actor spends years embodying a character whose moral compass is fundamentally different from their own, it can create a cognitive dissonance that lingers long after the cameras stop rolling,” Keltner explains. For Ellis, the shift to CIA may represent an opportunity to explore a different kind of moral ambiguity—one that is grounded in the real-world complexities of espionage rather than supernatural mythology.

The Physical Transformation: From Aesthetics to Athleticism

Ellis’s role in Lucifer required a physical transformation that prioritized aesthetics over functionality. The character’s devilish charm was often accentuated by shirtless scenes that showcased a sculpted, muscular physique. To achieve this look, Ellis focused on hypertrophy training—lifting heavy weights with the goal of maximizing muscle size. “Lucifer was the first opportunity for me to go for a transformation and put on that 20 pounds that I’ve always wanted to put on,” Ellis revealed in a 2019 interview. The training regimen was intense, centered on building mass and definition to align with the character’s larger-than-life persona.

However, the demands of CIA have prompted a shift in Ellis’s approach to fitness. Colin Glass, his new character, is a CIA operative who must balance strength with agility, secrecy with action. This role requires a more athletic physique—one that allows Ellis to move quickly, react instinctively, and perform the physical demands of spycraft. “I don’t want to get typecast,” Ellis said in a recent discussion about his evolving training routine. “I want to play a character that dictates where I take myself physically.”

This transition reflects a broader trend in Hollywood, where actors increasingly tailor their physical training to the specific demands of their roles. For Ellis, the shift from aesthetics to athleticism is not just about avoiding typecasting. it’s also about sustainability. Hypertrophy-focused training, while effective for building muscle, can place significant strain on joints and connective tissues, increasing the risk of injury over time. In contrast, functional fitness—incorporating movements that mimic real-world activities—can improve mobility, reduce injury risk, and enhance overall physical resilience.

Ellis’s new training regimen, as described in interviews, emphasizes balance, agility, and injury prevention. He has incorporated elements of functional fitness, such as compound movements (e.g., squats, deadlifts) and plyometrics (e.g., box jumps, explosive push-ups), to build a physique that is both strong and adaptable. This approach aligns with recommendations from exercise physiologists, who advocate for a holistic training program that prioritizes movement quality and injury prevention alongside aesthetic goals.

The Mental Health Toll of Long-Term Character Immersion

While Ellis’s physical transformation has been widely discussed, the mental health implications of his role transitions are equally significant. The process of stepping into and out of a character—particularly one as iconic as Lucifer—can be emotionally taxing. Actors often describe a sense of grief or disorientation when a long-running role comes to an end, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “post-show depression.” For Ellis, the conclusion of Lucifer in 2021 marked the end of an era, but it also opened the door to new creative possibilities, including CIA.

Dr. Keltner points out that the emotional toll of leaving a beloved role can be compounded by the pressure to “top” previous performances. “Actors who have played a character for years often feel a sense of responsibility to their fans, as well as to their own creative legacy,” he says. “This can create a high-stakes environment where the fear of failure or the desire to prove oneself can lead to stress, anxiety, or even burnout.” For Ellis, the challenge of CIA may lie not only in the demands of the role itself but also in the expectations that come with stepping into a new leading role in a high-profile network series.

To mitigate these challenges, mental health professionals who work with actors often recommend strategies such as mindfulness, therapy, and deliberate “de-roling” rituals—practices designed to help actors separate their on-screen personas from their real-life identities. These techniques can be particularly valuable for actors like Ellis, who navigate the complexities of morally ambiguous characters. By creating clear boundaries between their roles and their personal lives, actors can reduce the risk of emotional exhaustion and maintain a healthier sense of self.

The Role of Support Systems in Sustaining Long-Term Careers

Ellis’s ability to transition from Lucifer to CIA also highlights the importance of support systems in an actor’s career. Behind the scenes, actors rely on a network of trainers, therapists, agents, and colleagues to help them navigate the physical and emotional demands of their roles. For Ellis, this support system has played a crucial role in his ability to adapt to new challenges. In interviews, he has credited his trainers and collaborators with helping him refine his approach to fitness, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of balance in his personal life.

“I want to reach a balance between mass and staying light on my feet,” Ellis said, reflecting on his fitness goals. This sentiment extends beyond physical training; it speaks to a broader desire for equilibrium in his career and personal life. For actors, achieving this balance often requires intentional effort, particularly when transitioning between roles that demand vastly different physical and emotional investments.

Mental health professionals who work with performers emphasize the importance of self-care routines that extend beyond the set. These may include regular therapy sessions, mindfulness practices, and time spent engaging in activities that have nothing to do with acting. For Ellis, who has spoken openly about his love of dancing, such activities may serve as a creative outlet that helps him decompress and reconnect with himself outside of his roles.

What’s Next for Tom Ellis?

As CIA premieres, Ellis’s journey offers a compelling case study in the physical and mental demands of long-term character immersion. His transition from Lucifer to CIA underscores the importance of adaptability, both in terms of physical training and psychological resilience. For actors, the ability to evolve alongside their roles is not just a creative necessity—it’s a survival skill in an industry that often demands reinvention.

Looking ahead, Ellis’s career trajectory may serve as an example for other actors navigating similar transitions. His willingness to embrace new challenges—whether in the form of a new role, a different training regimen, or a renewed focus on mental health—demonstrates the importance of flexibility and self-awareness in sustaining a long-term career in entertainment. As he steps into the shadows of CIA, Ellis is not just playing a new character; he’s continuing to redefine what it means to grow, both as an actor and as a person.

For audiences and industry observers alike, Ellis’s story is a reminder that the most compelling performances are often those that reflect the actor’s own journey—one that is shaped by physical discipline, emotional depth, and an unwavering commitment to evolution.