Tom Ellis has been cast as the titular character in Fox’s “Lucifer” pilot, based on the Vertigo/DC Comics property of the same name.

In the pilot, after growing bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, Lucifer resigns his throne and abandons his kingdom for the gorgeous, shimmering insanity of Los Angeles, where he gets his kicks helping the LAPD punish criminals.

The project was written by “Californication’s” Tom Kapinos, who serves as an exec producer alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and Len Wiseman. The pilot hails from Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Aggressive Mediocrity and Warner Bros. TV, with Wiseman set to direct. The character originated in Vertigo’s “Sandman” comics created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg, before spinning off into his own series written by Mike Carey.

“Lucifer” is the latest in a slew of comic book properties coming to the smallscreen next season, with DC Comics’ “Supergirl,” starring Melissa Benoist, heading to CBS; an “Arrow” and “The Flash” spinoff in the works at the CW; and a project based on the Teen Titans in development at TNT. Marvel has a number of series debuting on Netflix over the next couple of years, including “Daredevil” and “A.K.A. Jessica Jones,” while Jim Starlin’s “Dreadstar” is being developed via Universal Cable Productions and Benderspink. The CW’s newest comic book show, “iZombie,” premieres on March 17, “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD” returns to ABC on March 3, and Fox’s “Gotham” was recently renewed for a second season.

Ellis previously starred in USA Network’s “Rush” and British comedy “Miranda.”