Masonic Depiction in Popular TV and Movies

TV and Movies

Freemasonry has been depicted in various TV shows and movies throughout the years, often as a secretive and powerful organization.

"The Da Vinci Code", a 2006 American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard, adaptation of Dan Brown's novel of the same name, features a fictional secret society, the Priory of Sion and the Freemasons are also portrayed as having a conspiratorial role in the story.

In the TV show "Supernatural" season 7, an episode called "The Born-Again Identity" features the main characters investigating a case involving a Mason's Lodge and its involvement with a demon.

In the TV show "The X-Files" season 5, episode 12 "Travelers" featured a story that centers on a conspiracy of Freemasons who cover up the murder of one of their own to protect the reputation of the organization.

The film "National Treasure" and its sequel "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" features a storyline involving a secret society, which is hinted to be based on the Freemasons, and their involvement in protecting a treasure trove of American history.

The TV show "The Lone Gunmen" in the episode "Bond, Jimmy Bond" features a story where the main characters uncover a secret Masonic plot to take over the world.

In the TV show "The Simpsons" episode "Homer the Great" Homer Simpson accidentally becomes a member of a secret society called the Stonecutters, which is a parody of the Freemasons.

In the film "The Man Who Would Be King" (1975) directed by John Huston, two rogue British soldiers became kings of Kafiristan, a land where the local people are freemason-like secret society.

In the TV show "The Blacklist" season 1, episode 15 "The Freemason" features a story where the main character Raymond "Red" Reddington helps track down a dangerous and elusive criminal known as "The Freemason"

In the TV show "Fringe" season 3, episode 11 "Reciprocity" features a story where a secretive cult that seems to be based on the Freemasons is at the center of a murder investigation

the TV show "The Magicians" season 1 episode 4 "The World in the Walls" features a story in which protagonist Quentins Brakebills University classmates are part of a secret society and it's implied to be based on Freemasonry.

The film "The Wicker Man" (1973) directed by Robin Hardy, features a pagan island community where a secret and powerful group of villagers who worship an ancient pagan god, a good part of the story revolves around the rituals and values of this group, it can be seen as a representation of a secret society like the Freemasons.

Only Fools and Horses

Boycie is a character in the British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses." He is portrayed by actor John Challis. Boycie is a used car salesman and a friend of the main character, Del Boy Trotter. He is known for his dry wit and penchant for boasting about his wealth and connections. He is also a member of the Freemasons, the reference to Boycie being in the Freemasons is only mentioned occasionally and not a focal point of the series.

White Gold

"White Gold" is a British comedy series that aired on BBC Two from 2017 to 2018. It stars James Buckley, Joe Thomas, and Theo Barklem-Biggs as a group of double-glazing salesmen in the 1980s. The show is set in the fictional London suburb of Dagenham and follows the characters as they work for a local window company.

In the show, Freemasonry is not a central plot point, but it is mentioned occasionally. One of the main characters, Vince (James Buckley) is a Freemason and at one point in the show, he and his brother attend a Masonic meeting. However, it's more of a minor subplot and it is not a main focus of the show. Freemasonry is portrayed in the series as a secretive and exclusive social club that is exclusive to the upper-class men, and Vince becomes a member of it to gain access to potential customers who are members. But the show mostly focuses on the characters' work life and personal life.

Monty Python's Flying Circus

John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, in their usual inimitable style, parody Freemasons in two sketches from Episode Seventeen: ‘The Buzz Aldrin Show’, in 1970. (Incidentally, Aldrin was a mason.) Probably the most patently absurd depictions of Freemasons on TV were featured in ‘The Architects Sketch’ and ‘How to Recognise a Mason'—the Pythons don’t pull any punches and reinforce the public image of Freemasonry as a) a corrupt ‘Old Boys’ network, and b) ridiculous.

In ‘The Architects Sketch’, Mr. Wiggins (Cleese) is bidding for a contract to design a block of flats; after they reject his bizarre pitch, he is seen losing his temper and berating the firm of architects for being Freemasons and accusing them of blackballing him; he begs to join, only to be turned away.