Which Lost character is nicknamed “The Man in Black”?

The Smoke Monster is the entity nicknamed the Man in Black in Lost. The character is the twin brother of Jacob and becomes the principal supernatural antagonist in the series’ mythology.

For much of Lost, the Smoke Monster appears as a black cloud and threatens or judges people on the island. In human form, the entity is portrayed by Titus Welliver and is often called the Man in Black because the show initially withholds his personal name.

The Man in Black’s story is explained through the mythology of the island, Jacob, and the source of its energy. His desire to leave the island conflicts with Jacob’s role as its protector and drives much of the final season.

This identity should not be confused with Ben Linus or Richard Alpert, both human characters who interact with the entity. The Smoke Monster is also distinct from the unnamed black cloud seen earlier in the series only as a mysterious force.