With its stunning images, huge, deep narratives, and legendary characters, Neil Gaiman’s comic book series The Sandman, first published in the 1980s, has long been ideal for adaptation. But, for whatever reason, every attempt to adapt the series for the big screen has failed—until now. The first season of a TV show based on the comics was greenlit by Netflix in 2019, and production began in 2020. Before The Sandman goes live on Netflix, here’s all you need to know about it.
When does it come out?
Netflix has yet to announce an official release date; the first peek video just says “coming soon,” implying that Season 1 will premiere in 2022. If you can’t wait that long, Audible has created an all-star cast adaptation of the first two volumes, which you may listen to (for free!) in the interim.
What is the story of The Sandman?
Morpheus, the supernatural creature that goes by the name of Dream, is the titular Sandman of the film. Death, Desire, Delirium, Despair, Destruction, and Destiny are the other members of the Endless, a group of seven godlike siblings who each exemplify a distinct quality.
Season 1 of The Sandman will reflect the plots of the comic series’ first two volumes, Preludes & Nocturnes, and The Doll’s House. The dream is held captive for almost a century as the narrative begins, having been captured by a sorcerer. He plans to return to his domain, the Dreaming after he has escaped.
Who is among the ensemble of the film?
Only a small portion of the ensemble of The Sandman will be featured in the first season, which includes legendary and biblical figures as well as DC comics characters. Dream, a.k.a. Morpheus, the deity of dreams and one of the Endless, is played by Tom Sturridge. Kirby Powell-Baptiste (Death), Mason Alexander (Desire), and Donna Preston will portray the other Endless (Despair). Roderick Mason, the sorcerer who kidnaps Dream, will be played by Charles Dance. Jenna Coleman, widely known for her role as Clara in Doctor Who, will play Johanna Constantine, a supernatural investigator.
Cain and Abel will be played by Sanjeev Baskhar and Asim Chaudhry, Doctor Destiny will be played by David Thewlis, and the raven Matthew will be voiced by comedy actor Patton Oswalt.
The series also includes the DC comics version of Lucifer, king of Hell, who was portrayed by Tom Ellis in the enormously famous TV series of the same name. While there was talk of Ellis resuming the part in The Sandman, it was eventually determined that his depiction of the character went too far from the source material, therefore Lucifer would be gender-swapped and played by Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones).
Is there a trailer available?
Netflix has released a trailer for the series, which stars Tom Sturridge as the protagonist and Charles Dance as Roderick Burgess, an occultist who strives to catch Dream in a mysterious ceremony. Several internet viewers have noted that the adaptation looks to be faithful to the comic book, pointing out several frames that are nearly similar to panels from Preludes & Nocturnes.