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 organisation.

"The Da Vinci Code", a 2006 American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard and an 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 centres on a conspiracy of Freemasons who cover up the murder of one of their own to protect the reputation of the organisation.

The film "National Treasure" and its sequel "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" feature 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 1975 film "The Man Who Would Be King," 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 centre 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 worship an ancient pagan god. A good part of the story revolves around the rituals and values of this group, which 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 is 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. The show features James Buckley, Joe Thomas, and Theo Barklem-Biggs as a team of double-glazing salesmen in the 1980s. The show takes place 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 (played by 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 the primary focus of the show. In the series, Freemasonry is depicted as a secretive and exclusive social club, reserved solely for upper-class men. Vince joins this organisation with the intention of connecting with potential customers who are also members. However, the show primarily centres around the characters' professional and personal lives.

Monty Python's Flying Circus

In 1970, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin showcased their unique and inimitable style by parodying Freemasons in two sketches from Episode Seventeen of their show, 'The Buzz Aldrin Show'. (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 both a corrupt 'Old Boys' network and as something utterly 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.