Most villains in the Devil May Cry universe are easy to spot. They usually have giant wings, glowing purple eyes, or a habit of swallowing skyscrapers whole. But the Netflix animated series changed the game. It introduced us to William Baines, a man who doesn't look like a demon but might actually be worse than any creature from the Underworld.
You’ve probably seen the discourse online. Some fans were blindsided. Others saw it coming the moment they heard that iconic, gravelly voice coming out of the Vice President's mouth. William Baines Devil May Cry isn't just a political figurehead; he is a masterclass in how to write a "human" monster.
Who is William Baines?
Honestly, Baines is a bit of a shock to the system for long-time DMC fans. We are used to Dante fighting literal kings of hell like Mundus or Argosax. Suddenly, we have the Vice President of the United States. He’s the head of Dark Realm Command (DARKCOM), a shadowy government agency tasked with hunting demons.
He looks the part of a high-ranking official. Gray hair, sharp blue suit, American flag pin. But it’s the red-tinted glasses that give him away. They hide his eyes, making him feel distant and untouchable. He presents himself as a man of God, a righteous leader trying to protect humanity from the "unholy" threat of the demonic realm.
But let’s be real. In this show, Baines is the definition of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
The Kevin Conroy Legacy
We have to talk about the voice. This is arguably the most emotional part of the character’s existence. William Baines Devil May Cry is the final performance of the legendary Kevin Conroy. Most of us grew up with him as the definitive voice of Batman. Hearing that heroic, authoritative tone used for a manipulative zealot is deeply unsettling.
Adi Shankar, the showrunner, confirmed that Conroy recorded his lines back in 2022 before he passed away. There was no AI used here. It is 100% Conroy. Because production took so long, some of the later dialogue had to be finished by Ian James Corlett, but the foundation of the character—that cold, calculating weight—is all Kevin.
It adds a layer of "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to the production that you just can't fake. When Baines speaks, you listen. You want to believe him. That’s exactly what makes him so dangerous.
Why Baines is a Different Kind of Evil
In the games, demons are usually driven by a hunger for power or simple bloodlust. Baines is driven by fanaticism. He’s a xenophobic zealot who views even hybrids like Dante with extreme prejudice. To Baines, Dante isn't a hero; he's a "thing" that needs to be "redeemed" through servitude or eliminated.
The Hypocrisy of "God's Will"
There is a specific scene that perfectly captures who this man is. After Air Force Two is destroyed, Baines survives a fall from a massive altitude. He doesn't thank Dante (who actually saved him). Instead, he claims it was "God's Will" that kept him alive.
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Later, he literally throws a subordinate named Anders out of a helicopter. His parting words? "I was saved by God, let’s see if your Devil’s gonna help you too."
It's chilling. He uses religion as a shield for his own power-hungry nature. He’s collecting demon artifacts not to destroy them, but to use them. He represents the Seven Deadly Sins disguised as a savior.
- Pride: He believes he is the only one who can lead humanity.
- Greed: He hoards demonic power for the US military.
- Wrath: He wants to wage an all-out war against Makai (the Demon World).
The Twist and the Future
The first season ends on a massive cliffhanger involving Baines. While it seems like he's the mastermind, the finale teases that he might be working with (or being used by) Arius, the villain from Devil May Cry 2. This creates a bridge between the new Netflix lore and the established game canon that most people didn't see coming.
Baines isn't just a one-off politician. He is the catalyst for a world where humanity stops being the victim and starts being the aggressor. That’s a terrifying thought in the DMC universe.
What This Means for You
If you’re a fan of the franchise, you can’t ignore William Baines. He changes the stakes. It’s no longer just about clicking "Style" points while slicing up scarecrows; it’s about navigating a world where the people in charge are just as bad as the monsters under the bed.
To get the most out of the William Baines Devil May Cry storyline, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the background characters: Baines often interacts with Lady (Mary) in a way that highlights her trauma and his manipulation.
- Pay attention to the artifacts: The items he’s "confiscating" are clues to future boss fights.
- Listen for the voice shift: Try to spot the transition between Conroy and Corlett; it’s a bittersweet tribute to a voice acting titan.
The best way to appreciate the complexity of Baines is to re-watch his early scenes. Once you know he’s a villain, every "righteous" thing he says feels like a threat. He’s the most grounded villain the series has ever had, and that makes him the scariest.