Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for the Evil series finale!
Summary
Evilco-creator Michelle King opened up about Leland’s fate at the end of season 4, revealing his potential future after the events of the series finale. Thepositively-reviewedEvilseason 4ended with Leland breaking into Kristen’s home, intent on taking her and Timothy for a ritualistic sacrifice with the 60. However, she managed to choke him out and, with the help of David and Ben, take him to the church’s silent monastery to be kept inside a box. His fate appears sealed as he’s trapped inside the small space.
Speaking with theLos Angeles Times, King explained the importance of Leland’s fate at the end ofEvilseason 4, alongside his potential future after being imprisoned in the monastery. The co-creator revealed that,while it’s optimistic to think he’s been defeated for good, there’s still a chance he’ll be able to escapeand become a threat for Kristen in the future. Check out what King had to say below:
First of all, Michael Emerson is heaven — and more than any other actor I’ve ever worked with, is the complete opposite of the character he plays. He is such a nice person, and Leland is such a dreadful character. But in terms of the pleasure of where it ends, he’s always been a force to be reckoned with. By the end, they reckon with him, he is taken down. If you’re being optimistic, you will say he’s been taken down for good. They have not succumbed to murder, so they’ve triumphed ethically as well. But it’s a cabinet, and people get out of cabinets.
Can Leland Return After Evil Season 4?
He Might Not Be Gone Forever
Before his failed attempt at capturing Kristen for the 60’s ritual,the group’s demonic leader warned him not to fail, implying this was his last chance at capturing herbefore no longer being of use to the group. Since he’s been captured at the silent monastery, it seems like the world-ending organization won’t be coming to save him. Their preoccupations may lie withTimothy being the Antichristand Kristen still caring for him, wanting to ensure they’re both dead before starting anew with an unbaptized demonic baby.
Becausethe 60 are unlikely to help Leland, the only way he’ll be able to get out of the monastery is by himself. Since he’d likely no longer have the backing of the demonic families, the only reason he would pose a threat anymore is out of revenge against the assessors for having him locked away. This would make the demonic entities at DF a continuous threat the group would have to deal with, while also keeping Leland on thecast ofEvilas a secondary antagonist with a personal vendetta.
However, season 4’s final episodes also toyed with the idea thatpart of David’s goodness is now inside him following their shared remote viewing session.IfEvilwere to continue, then perhaps it would have explored Leland becoming more sympathetic and helpful, wanting to atone for his past crimes. While this wouldn’t absolve him of his antagonistic actions, it shows the varied routes his development could have taken had the show continued beyond season 4 - and how unpredictable his actions after a potential escape would be.
Evilwas cancelled after season 4, with the final four episode made to wrap up the story.
Evil
Cast
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.
