Crowley

History

Crowley is a Crossroads demon who assumed leadership of Hell after Lucifer was imprisoned again in the cage.

He was formerly King of the Crossroads and Lilith's right hand man. His meatsuit belonged to a "moderately successful" New York literary agent. In life, he was a 17th century Scottish tailor who sold his soul for a longer penis ("three additional inches" to be precise).

After taking charge of Hell, Crowley transforms hell into place where torture is exemplified by endless queuing. He enters into a deal with Castiel to locate Purgatory and share the souls of the monsters there.

He was thought killed when Castiel burned his bones. However, it is later revealed that Crowley faked his death with Castiel's assistance.

Characteristics

Crowley is shown to possess a refined skill with telekinesis and is particularly powerful for a demon, though he is discreet about displaying his abilities. Even for a demon, Crowley is incredibly strong, often overpowering his opponents. He claims to have taken on a "nest" of demons and came out with barely a scratch on him. Crowley is also a decent torturer. He also controls and owns a Hellhound that is notably larger (standing or sitting at about 5 feet tall) and more aggressive than others. He refers to it as "my pup". It appears alongside Crowley in 5.20 The Devil You Know and is used against another Hellhound in a dog fight. Sometime after the re-imprisonment of Lucifer and Michael, Crowley uses his Hellhound to get Bobby to release him from a Devil's trap.

While he occasionally responds to crossroads summonings in person, to be certain of summoning Crowley himself, and not another Crossroads Demon, a ritual involving a sigil, candles, a bowl of herbs, human blood, and an incantation is required.

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Crowley drinking his favorite type of alcohol - Craig.

Crowley has yet to show the color of his eyes. Like other Crossroads Demons, he may have red eyes or they may be black like common demons. Crowley is pyrokinetic, often making fire appear and disappear at a thought.

Crowley has been shown to have a knowledge of Enochian, as he occupied a mansion covered in protective sigils. He also has some knowledge about the Colt, as he is able to provide more bullets for it, and some knowledge about Magical Coins, as he plants them on Sam and Dean to track their movements and listen to their conversations. He owns an Apple iPhone and is able to acquire, through his position as King of the Crossroads, Death's Scythe, which Death claims he lost.

Crowley's powers and abilities are substantially increased after assuming control and leadership over Hell's domain. With the capacity of his abilities enhanced, he hexed and jinxed an entire building, preventing all the demons inside from leaving their meatsuits. He can also dispel the fire of holy oil.

He claims to have resurrected both Sam Winchester and Samuel Campbell. When it is discovered that Sam is soulless, Crowley claims that he has the power to pull Sam's soul back to earth, but will only do so for a price. This turns out to be a lie, as Crowley later reveals to Sam, Dean, and Castiel that he in fact does not have the power to wrestle Sam's soul from Lucifer and Michael's grasp. He also informs them that he was lucky to get Sam's body in the first place. Finally, it is later revealed that Castiel was the one who raised Sam from the cage. However, it still seems as though he was the one who resurrected Samuel. Crowley later kills two of Eve's monster hybrids, leaving behind traces of sulfur.

Life & Habits

The Demon Crowley with The Colt

Crowley was born Fergus Roderick McLeod in 1661 Scotland. He was a "two-bit" tailor who sold his soul for an extra three inches below the waist. He had a son named Gavin who, after Crowley died, set sail for America and died in a shipwreck. Gavin and his father have a strong mutual dislike for each other. The dislike is so strong that Gavin - when his spirit is summoned to get information on Crowley - betrays Crowley's burial spot, leaving him vulnerable to exorcism by salting and burning his remains.

Crowley was in possession of his remains after returning Bobby Singer's soul until Castiel recovered them, sealing his fate.

Crowley's sexuality is best described as queer. He has fathered a son, and Becky Rosen speculated that Crowley may have been Lilith's lover, but he seems to exhibit a preference for men. He seals a deal with a male banker with a kiss and teases him about his homophobia. He also seals his deal with Bobby with a kiss, and later shows off a picture of the moment that he took covertly on his iPhone.

In order to set Brady up as a traitor with the other demons, Crowley uses the line that he and Brady are "lovers in league against Satan". In 6.07 Family Matters, he makes a joke about knowing Samuel, "but not in the biblical sense."

Demonic Ranks

As King of the Crossroads Demons, and by definition a Crossroads Demon himself, Crowley is able to fulfill any wish given a contract for the selling of a soul, "to get the magic going". He describes himself as being "in sales".

Crowley, according to Chuck's visions and books as interpreted by Becky Rosen, was Lilith's right hand man and possible lover, and received the Colt when Bela stole it from Sam and Dean. He had a personal tailor until his rebellion against Lucifer was made public, at which time demons destroyed his mansion and ate the tailor.

When relaxing in his mansion before giving Dean and Sam the Colt to attempt to kill Lucifer, Crowley watches silent clips of footage from the First and Second World War whilst listening to "Everybody Plays The Fool" by The Main Ingredient (1972). He listens to the song with a knowing smile, likely aware of the Winchester's presence; this is possibly a reflection of his deceptive nature as he "plays the fool" by turning on Lucifer and outwitting the Winchesters.

Following the return of Lucifer to the cage, Crowley assumes leadership of Hell. Demons call him "Lucky the Leprechaun" behind his back, despite him being Scottish and not Irish. According to Crowley himself, his new position gave him the power to resurrect both Samuel and Sam. He also falsely claims the ability to return Sam's soul, which is still in Lucifer's cage, to him, or to send Sam back to hell.

Crowley was in search of Purgatory and claimed to have resurrected Sam and Samuel Campbell to help him locate Alphas who may know its location. He has become involved with Castiel's civil war.

Appearances

5.10 Abandon All Hope

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Crowley with the Colt

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"So, the Hardy boys finally tracked me down. Took you long enough."

Based on Becky's lead that Crowley has the Colt, the Winchesters try to find him in order to use the Colt against Lucifer.

Castiel tracks Crowley to his Enochian Sigil protected mansion after witnessing him make a deal with Mr. Pendleton, a 60 year-old businessman seeking a bank bailout. Sam and Dean, with Jo's help, kill Crowley's demon gate guards and break into the building, cutting off the power. They attempt to catch Crowley in a Devil's Trap, but he locates it, and another pair of guards capture the Winchesters. Crowley produces the Colt and uses it to shoot the guards, much to Sam and Dean's surprise. He then offers them the gun, telling them to use it to kill Lucifer. They are shocked that he would want the devil dead, and Crowley explains his reasoning:

Crowley: Lucifer isn't a demon, remember? He's an angel. An angel famous for his hatred of humankind. To him, you're just filthy bags of pus. If that's the way he feels about you, what can he think about us?

Sam: But he created you.

Crowley: To him, we're just servants. Cannon fodder. If Lucifer manages to exterminate humankind, we're next. So, help me, huh? Let's all go back to simpler, better times, back to when we could all follow our natures. I'm in sales, dammit! So what do you say if I give you this thing, and you go kill the devil?

Crowley gives them the Colt and Lucifer's location. Sam takes the gun and attempts to kill Crowley with it, but finds that it is out of ammunition. Crowley initially does not react, then comments that they will need additional bullets. He goes to his desk, and Dean speaks up:

Dean: Oh, uh, excuse me for asking, but aren't you kind of signing your own death warrant? I mean, what happens to you if we go up against the devil and lose?

Crowley: Number one, he's going to wipe us all out anyway. Two, after you leave here, I go on an extended vacation to all points nowhere. And three, how about you don't miss, okay! Morons!

Crowley disappears after tossing Dean the ammunition. His fears about Lucifer's opinion of demons are confirmed later when Lucifer sacrifices a group of demons to raise Death and apathetically says to a shocked Sam, "What? They're just demons."

5.20 The Devil You Know

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"Please. I've sold sin to saints for centuries. You think I can't close one little deal?"

Following the Winchesters' failed attempt to assassinate Lucifer with the Colt, Crowley is forced to hide from other demons, who apparently destroy his mansion and eat his tailor. Using a Magical Coin that was placed in the Impala by his valet, Crowley finds the boys and offers to help them locate Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. When he first appears, Sam repeatedly tries to kill Crowley with Ruby's Knife, accusing him of setting them up for failure in their last encounter. Sam and Dean also blame him for Jo and Ellen's deaths. Crowley counters that he thought the Colt would kill the devil, and that he is not responsible for anyone that Sam and Dean ask to accompany them.

Eventually, Dean is willing to give Crowley a chance, and together he and Crowley infiltrate a pharmaceutical company to capture the Horsemens' "handler", a demon called Brady. Crowley uses Dean as bait - without informing him - to lure Brady out into the open, throw a hood over his head, and knock him out with a tire iron. Crowley tries to prevent Dean from returning to Crowley's hideout, where Sam is waiting, but is reluctant to say why. He finally admits that Sam and Brady have 'history'. They do return to Sam, who is furious - Brady was a friend of his at Stanford and introduced him to Jess. Sam does however acknowledge that they need the information Brady possesses.

Crowley is unable to convince Brady to divulge Pestilence's location, so he attacks a demon "nest" and kills all but one, leaving the remaining demon with a rumor that Brady had abandoned his post to assist Crowley. Faced with eternal torture over this supposed betrayal, Brady agrees to tell them where to find Pestilence. Moments later, a hellhound arrives, having followed a tracker placed on Crowley at the demon's nest. It prepares to attack, but Crowley vanishes, then reappears with his own hellhound, a beast much larger than the other. The hounds fight while Crowley, Brady, and the Winchesters escape in the Impala.

While the Winchesters deal with Brady (Sam kills him out of revenge for Jess), Crowley visits Bobby and suggests a way to locate Death, the last of the Horsemen: exchange his soul for the information. Bobby shoots him twice, but Crowley persists with the bargaining, promising to release Bobby from the deal as soon as Death is located.

5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight

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"Stock up on... everything. Cos' in two weeks we'll all be in zombieland."

After revealing his deal with Bobby to the Winchesters, Crowley explains that he intends to use Bobby's soul as insurance so Sam and Dean won't kill him. He promises to return it after Lucifer is defeated. He later shows them an article in the newspaper that tells of flu vaccinations from the Niveus Company that are about to be distributed nation-wide. Crowley correctly believes they are packed full of the Croatoan Virus. Sam, Bobby, and Castiel decide to sabotage the deliveries whilst Dean and Crowley face off against Death. Crowley uses his Crossroads connections to obtain Death's Scythe and gives it to Dean, believing from hearsay that it may kill Death. He also reveals that as part of Bobby's deal, Crowley has returned his ability to walk, for which Bobby is very grateful. In Chicago, Crowley finds the Horseman sitting alone in a pizzeria and leaves Dean to face him.

6.04 Weekend At Bobby's

Crowley The King of Hell Vs. Bobby Singer

"Paragraph 18 subsection B, which is on your naughty bits: I only have to make “best efforts” to give you back your soul."

One year ago, following the imprisonment of Lucifer, Bobby summons Crowley, who says that he's "been celebrating" Lucifer's defeat. Bobby offers him a drink, but Crowley declines on the grounds that Bobby does not have his favorite scotch. Bobby then asks Crowley to follow through on the deal they made in 5.20 The Devil You Know, the return of Bobby's soul following the prevention of the Apocalypse. Crowley refuses. Bobby then reveals he has trapped Crowley in a devil's trap made with fluorescent paint, which Crowley couldn't see until Bobby turned off the lights. Crowley demands to be let go but Bobby refuses, so Crowley summons his hellhound with a whistle, and gives Bobby the choice of living out the ten years included in his deal, or "ten years as Alpo." Bobby frees Crowley, and the demon leaves.

The following year, Bobby captures a Crossroads Demon and holds her captive in his basement. He shows her that he has her bones, the remains of her human body. He demands that she reveal Crowley's real name from the time that he was human. She refuses, telling Bobby that Crowley is now the King of Hell, and that she fears his reprisal. Bobby takes a blowtorch to her bones, causing the demon to burn inside her meatsuit. She reveals that Crowley's real name is Fergus MacLeod, and that the demons call him "Lucky The Leprechaun" behind his back. Bobby disposes of her.

While helping Rufus Turner bury the body of an Okami in his lot, Bobby tells Rufus about Crowley's real name and his affinity for a specific type of scotch, and that he plans to look for more information in Scotland. Rufus is familiar with the scotch, and what part of Scotland it's from; he tells Bobby he has contacts in Scotland and offers to make some calls.

Later, Rufus reveals that his Scottish contacts found out that Crowley's full name was Fergus Roderick MacLeod, and he was born in Canisbay, Scotland in 1661. He also says Crowley had a son named Gavin, who left for America after his parents died. He captained a trading ship that went down in Massachusetts in 1723. The wreck was found thirty years ago, and divers recovered Gavin's signet ring, which is now part of the "Treasures of the Deep" exhibit at the Maritime Museum in Andover, Massachusetts. Rufus speculates that Bobby will use the ring to summon Gavin's ghost and make an exchange with Crowley: Gavin's ghost for Bobby's soul.

Rufus gets the ring but is captured by the authorities. He swallows the ring so that police can't seize it from him as evidence. Sheriff Jodie Mills is able to extradite him from Andover, Massachusetts to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a phony murder charge as a favor to Bobby. When he arrives, Rufus gives Bobby Gavin's ring. Bobby summons Gavin's ghost, who asks him if this is Hell. Bobby says that depends on him.

Bobby summons Crowley, who arrives and discovers he is stuck in a devil's trap. Bobby comments that he looks like "hammered crap", and asks him about being "the Big Kahuna" in Hell. Crowley produces a flask and a shot glass, pours himself a drink, and drops two antacid tablets in it. He complains that he thought being in charge would be all "rainbows and two-headed puppies," but instead it's "hell." He says that he tried to show demons a new, better way, and they did not respond well. He also admits that sometimes he thinks Lucifer's idea of killing "anything with black eyes" was not such a bad plan.

Crowley repeats his refusal to return Bobby's soul. At this point Gavin manifests. Crowley feigns emotion at the sight of him, before revealing to Bobby that he and Gavin hated each other, and that Bobby picked the wrong bargaining chip. He encourages Bobby to go ahead and torture Gavin. Bobby says that Gavin gladly told him everything about his father. In life, Crowley, formerly Fergus MacLeod, was "nothing but a two-bit tailor who sold his soul in exchange for an extra three inches below the belt." Bobby knows where Crowley's bones are located. He hands Crowley a telephone.

Dean is on the other end, and tells the demon that he and Sam are standing over Crowley's bones in Scotland. Crowley nervously tells them the burning bones story is a myth; Bobby responds by relating what happened to the Crossroads Demon he interrogated and killed in his basement earlier. Bobby makes Crowley an offer: his bones in exchange for Bobby's soul. Dean can be heard flicking his lighter over the telephone. Crowley finally agrees, and the writing on Bobby's arms disappears. Bobby tells him to leave in the part of the deal that returned the use of Bobby's legs. Crowley does so. Bobby releases him from the devil's trap.

Crowley arrives in Scotland moments later, where Sam and Dean are still standing over his bones. Dean threatens to burn the bones anyway, but Sam tells him to stand down.

Sam: Dean, he's a dick. But a deal's a deal.
Crowley: I don't need you to fight my battles for me, Moose. Get bent.

Crowley picks up the bones and puts them in a large black leather bag. He says "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a little hell to raise," and disappears.

6.07 Family Matters

"Location, location, location. I'm a developer. Purgatory is vast, underutilized, and hell-adjacent, and I want it."

Dean and Sam track Samuel to where he is holding the Alpha Vampire. The Alpha tells Dean and Sam that Samuel has been torturing him for information about Purgatory, where creatures like himself go when they die, and hints that Samuel is working for someone else. Dean and Sam are then discovered talking to the Alpha and are held at gunpoint, and, while they argue with Samuel, the Alpha escapes his cage. They resolve to kill it if possible, but it quickly gains the upper hand and is about to turn Sam when demons arrive and take the Alpha vampire away with them. It is revealed that Crowley is behind Samuel's actions. As the new King of Hell, Crowley had the power to resurrect Samuel and Sam, and he did so because he wanted their help. Since his resurrection, Samuel has been working for Crowley, gathering high-ranking creatures and trying to learn the location of Purgatory because Crowley is interested in "developing" it. Crowley then tells them that if Sam ever wants the return of his soul, he and Dean need to help Samuel continue to capture creatures for him. Currently, they don't see any other option but to help Crowley, but Sam and Dean are determined to get him back eventually.

6.08 All Dogs Go To Heaven

"I own your brother, do you understand me?!"

Crowley burns Sam's hand to prove his hold over him.

Crowley visits Sam and Dean at a roadside diner and instructs them to capture another Alpha for him, specifically the Alpha Werewolf, whom he believes might be behind several daylight eviscerations mentioned in the local tabloids (though it later turns out to be the work of a Skinwalker).

Dean immediately refuses and demands Crowley return Sam's soul, so the demon taps Sam's hand, burning a mark into it to prove to Dean that he is stuck in a hostage situation. He must do everything Crowley tells him to do, or else risk having Sam returned to Lucifer's Cage. Dean reluctantly agrees and Crowley promises to return Sam's soul "with a cherry on top" so long as they bring him another living Alpha before vanishing in his usual manner.

Dean: I've done some shady stuff in my time, but I am not doing this. No.
Crowley: Ten quid says you will. [taps Sam's hand]
Sam: [grabs his hand and grunts in pain]

Crowley: You like pain, Sam? You like hell? (to Dean) You need to stop thinking of this as some kind of deal. This is a hostage situation, you arrogant little thug. I own your brother, do you understand me?

6.10 Caged Heat

"I was lucky to get this much of you out. Going back in there for the sloppy bits? No way. I’m good, but those two in there? Forget it."

Crowley, wearing an apron and armed with iridium tools, interrogates the Alpha Shapeshifter for Purgatory's location. The Alpha Shapeshifter has taken on his form. It doesn't reveal Purgatory's position, so Crowley threatens the Alpha by telling it that he will personally slaughter its children in front of it if it does not properly cooperate. The Alpha informs Crowley that it will just create more shapeshifters. Crowley ruthlessly retaliates by cutting off the Alpha's head, killing it.

Later on, Sam, Dean, Castiel, and Meg attempt to capture Crowley, but he has been forewarned by Samuel. He has set up a trap wherein Castiel is banished and the boys and Meg are captured. Crowley condemns the Winchesters to death by feeding them to ghouls, but Sam escapes his cell and saves Dean. Together they free Meg.

Crowley, busy interrogating a Djinn, is lured into a confrontation by the sounding of a fire alarm. He is hit from behind with a wrench by Sam, which forces him to stumble into a devil's trap. Meg then tortures Crowley while the Winchesters demand to know if he really can retrieve Sam's soul. Crowley admits that he cannot, as rescuing Sam's body was a miracle in itself, let alone trying to liberate Lucifer's "only source of amusement". Accepting this claim, Dean gives Meg the Demon Killing Knife and she enters the devil's trap to stab Crowley, but he quickly disarms her and uses the knife to break the trap.

Crowley pins the boys to opposite walls and threatens Meg with the knife, until Castiel suddenly reappears with the demon's bones. Surprised, Crowley doesn't immediately believe they're his bones. Castiel convinces him otherwise, however, and uses this as leverage to find out if Crowley genuinely cannot retrieve Sam's soul. Crowley repeats his earlier assertion that he cannot, prompting Castiel to incinerate his bones. Crowley's spirit and host burn in agony, turning to dust.

6.19 Mommy Dearest

"Really, Cas. This is getting ridiculous. How many times am I gonna have to clean up your messes?"

Eve traps Dean and Sam in a diner and explains that her actions in rising from Purgatory, and mobilising all the supernatural beings are in reaction to Crowley capturing and torturing 'her children'. She speculates that Crowley is after the souls from Purgatory as together they would form a powerful weapon.

Later, Sam, Dean, Bobby and Castiel go to find the young boy who has been made into a monster. They find both the boys dead and sulfur present, indicating a demon killed them. Castiel leaves, ostensibly to discover if Crowley is still alive. At the diner where Eve died, Crowley is waiting and tells Cas he's "tired of cleaning up his messes".

6.20 The Man Who Would Be King

"Am I the only one who doesn't under-estimate those denim-wrapped nightmares?!"

Through a series of flashbacks from Castiel's POV it is revealed that, following the Apocalypse being averted, Crowley approached Castiel with a proposal that they join forces to locate Purgatory. Castiel is highly reluctant to trust Crowley, but the King of Hell brings the wayward angel around to his way of thinking by revealing his plan to plunder the souls of the 30-40,000,000 monsters trapped in Purgatory, so that they can be used as a means to "go nuclear" against Raphael and his followers. Crowley even offers an advance loan of 50,000 souls from Hell in exchange for half the souls in Purgatory. Castiel, seeing no other way to stop Raphael from rebooting the Apocalypse, agrees to Crowley's proposal and uses the power of the 50,000 souls to deliver his first strike against Raphael and declare civil war in Heaven.

In the present, Crowley examines the body of Eve and demonstrates to Castiel the lingering connections between it and the monsters by jabbing Eve's brain with a silver stake, causing extreme agony for the nearby vampire prisoner. Castiel asks if he has made any progress in locating Purgatory, to which Crowley angrily retorts not as much as if Eve were captured alive; as she was their best hope of finding a doorway to Purgatory. Upon closer examination, Crowley realises that Castiel has been spending more time with the Winchesters and expresses his displeasure with having to hide from them and pleads with Castiel to let him kill them. Castiel refuses.

After several of his demon monster hunters are wiped out by Castiel to stop the Winchesters from using them as a route to Crowley, the King of Hell sends three of his very best demons to kill Sam, Dean and Bobby but Castiel intervenes and smites them all. He later returns to an infuriated Crowley who reasons "If you're allowed to kill my hunters, why can't I kill yours?!", to which Castiel forcefully reminds Crowley that if anything happens to the Winchesters the deal is off and he will destroy Crowley for real. He then vanishes, to which a shaken Crowley comments: "This is not how Synergy works!"

When Castiel's dealings are revealed, he is captured by Sam, Dean and Bobby in a ring of Holy Fire and interrogated, forcing him to admit to working with Crowley. He tries to explain to them his reasons for siding with a demon, that Raphael's quest to release Lucifer and Michael would destroy the world and everything in it, but the Winchesters do not feel his actions are justified and that he has learned nothing from their mistakes. Before they can question him further, however, a cloud of demons surrounds the house and at Castiel's insistence they flee. From amongst the demons appears Crowley, who chastises Castiel for his predicament before releasing him and once again trying to convince Castiel to see the error in his compassion towards the boys, but Castiel simply warns Crowley to get out of his face. Crowley obliges, leaving with the remark: "You wanna know the difference between you and me, Cas? I know what I am. What about you?"

Crowley Trivia

The character may be a reference to:

• British occultist Aleister Crowley, who during his day was dubbed "the wickedest man in the world" by the press. At one point, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page developed an interest in Crowley. Page once owned Boleskine House, Crowley's estate on the shores of Loch Ness.
• Anthony Crowley, a character in the book Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman. in this book, Crowley is a demon who forms an alliance with the angel Aziraphale to keep an eye on the child they think is the Anti-Christ.
• Crowley's surprise reappearances in Supernatural in 6.07 Family Matters and 6.19 Mommy Dearest have been carefully guarded secrets, including Mark Sheppard insisting his name was left out of the opening credits of these episodes.

Crowley in Fandom

• Casting call for Crowley
• Casting announcement for Crowley by Chicago Tribune
• Tweets from Mark Sheppard during filming : here and here.
• Community for Crowley fanfiction on LJ
• @CrowleyGabriel - fan twitter feed for a Gabriel/Crowley shipping
• @CrowleyDemon - Crowley on Twitter
• sic-em-boy - Crowley RP Tumblr Blog