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TV Review: ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 2
Tom Sturridge as Dream in episode 210 of ‘The Sandman’. Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 2 receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

Released on Netflix on July 24th, ‘The Sandman’s second season –– and the show itself –– wraps up with five final episodes (plus a stand-alone, adapting ‘Death: The High Cost of Living, which premieres on July 31st) focused on the moody, doomy character of Dream (Tom Sturridge, ‘On the Road’) as here he reckons with the fallout from his actions in the first part of the season.

Overseen by showrunner and executive producer Allan Heinberg (‘Wonder Woman’) the cast for the new season also includes Kirby (‘The Good Place’), Mason Alexander Park (‘National Anthem’), Esmé Creed-Miles (‘Hanna’), Adrian Lester (‘Mary Queen of Scots’) and Stephen Fry (‘Gosford Park’).

Related Article: ‘The Sandman’ Season 2: More Narrative Drive from the Lord of Dreams

Initial Thoughts

Mark Hamill as Merv Pumpkinhead in episode 210 of ‘The Sandman’. Photo: Netflix © 2025.

And so we reach the end (for now, it remains valuable IP) of the road for the TV incarnation of ‘The Sandman’. With the second volume of the second season now on our screens, it’s time to find out if the series sticks the landing.

Script and Direction

Esme Creed-Miles as Delirium in episode 210 of ‘The Sandman’. Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

Perhaps the biggest issue with the new run of episodes (something that could be levelled at the show as a whole) is one of pacing. There are endless (no pun intended) scenes of characters having weighty, doom-landed conversations in different fantastical locales.

There are certainly big, dramatic moments that occur in this second part of the season, but we can’t reveal what they are (if you’ve read the source material, you’ll know), but the build up to it and the fallout are less dramatically satisfying as they might be.

The series continues to look impressive, with some beautifully realized settings –– and director Jamie Childs has a real eye for an well-crafted shot.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Jack Gleeson as Puck, Freddie Fox as Loki in episode 208 of ‘The Sandman’. Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

Tom Sturridge once more anchors the show as the stoic Dream, and he manages to make the character watchable and compelling.

There is memorable work from the rest of the Endless family, and the Fates (played by Nina Wadia, Souad Faress and Dinita Gohil) make for entertaining adversaries as they seek to see Dream answer for killing his own son.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Souad Faress as Crone, Nina Wadia as The Mother, Razane Jammal as Lyta Hall, Dinita Gohil as The Maiden in episode 211 of ‘The Sandman’. Photo: Netflix © 2025.

While it is frustrating for the ‘Sandman’ adaptation to end with many stories left to consider –– the creative team’s claim that this was always the planned end point doesn’t totally fly, feeling more like PR spin following the fallout of creator Neil Gaiman’s misconduct and abuse allegations –– at least we got as much as we did.

Premium streaming TV was certainly a better choice of landing spot for this sprawling, complex tale than trying to squeeze chunks of it into a movie. And there remains much to recommended this show, however limited.
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What’s the plot of ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 2?

After a fateful reunion with his family, Dream of the Endless (Tom Sturridge) must face one impossible decision after another as he attempts to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds.

To make amends, Dream must confront longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals. But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything.

Who stars in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 2?
- Tom Sturridge as Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams
- Kirby as Death
- Adrian Lester as Destiny
- Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium
- Barry Sloane as The Prodigal
- Mason Alexander Park as Desire
- Ruairi O’Connor as Orpheus
- Freddie Fox as Loki
- Ann Skelly as Nuala
- Jack Gleeson as Puck
- Stephen Fry as Gilbert
Stephen Fry as Gilbert in episode 209 of ‘The Sandman’. Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

Movies and TV Shows Based on Vertigo Comics:
- ‘Tank Girl’ (1995)
- ‘Constantine’ (2005)
- ‘A History of Violence’ (2005)
- ‘V for Vendetta’ (2005)
- ‘Stardust’ (2007)
- ‘The Losers’ (2010)
- ‘Constantine’ (2014)
- ‘Lucifer’ (2016)
- ‘Preacher’ (2016)
- ‘The Kitchen’ (2019)
Buy Vertigo Comics Movies and TV on Amazon
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July 27, 2025
TV Review: ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 1
Tom Sturridge as Dream in episode 203 of ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Netflix © 2025.

‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 1 receives 7 out of 10 stars.

Released on Netflix on July 3rd, ‘The Sandman’ returns with the first batch of episodes from its second season, focusing once again on the machinations of stoic, powerful mythological figure Dream (Tom Sturridge, ‘On the Road’).

Overseen by showrunner and executive producer Allan Heinberg (‘Wonder Woman’) the cast for the new season also includes Kirby (‘The Good Place’), Mason Alexander Park (‘National Anthem’), Esmé Creed-Miles (‘Hanna’) and Adrian Lester (‘Mary, Queen of Scots’).

Related Article: Steve Coogan, Douglas Booth and More Added to ‘The Sandman’ Season 2

Initial Thoughts

Kirby as Death in episode 205 of ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

It is almost impossible to discuss this new season of ‘The Sandman’ without addressing the Neil Gaiman elephant in the room. The original creator and writer of the classic graphic novel series from where the Netflix show draws its source material is facing some serious misconduct allegations, and that goes some way to explain why his presence has been all but vanished in the promotion for the second season.

All of which is to say that we’re in a case of separating the art from the artist, and not dismissing the hard work that the creative team, crew and cast have put into the new show. ‘Sandman’ is a show that fans have been eagerly awaiting, and while it’s somewhat frustrating that Netflix has opted to dole it out in chunks (much as with ‘Stranger Things’ or ‘Cobra Kai’), this first “Volume” represents a satisfying story.

Script and Direction

Mason Alexander Park as Desire in episode 205 of ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

The writers’ room, overseen by showrunner Allan Heinberg, is here adapting more of the beloved ‘Sandman’ stories, albeit with their own twist.

We get to meet more members of the Endless family, including Destiny and Destruction (AKA “The Prodigal”) who all have their own ways of dealing with being anthropomorphic representations of abstract ideas.

There is also pleasure to be found in the choices of stories this time around –– the likes of Thor, Loki and other Norse gods appear, as do Oberon and Titania, summoned to watch a production of the Shakespeare play in which they feature.

This season features even more of a narrative drive than the first, tying together the various narratives in interesting, thoughtful fashion.

Director Jamie Childs handled three episodes of Season 1 and returns to take over all of the second, bringing the same stylish visions to life.

While there are moments that the effects don’t always quite live up to the imagination of the team, the show in general is still impressive.

Cast and Performances

Tom Sturridge as Dream in episode 205 of ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Netflix © 2025.

Tom Sturridge remains the focal point of the show even the story sometimes wanders off without him. His Dream is a stoic, haunted character, and while he’s not always the most charismatic (by design), he’s still compelling.

Around him, the other members of the Endless “family” have their own appeal, especially Mason Alexander Park as the preening, selfish Desire and Esmé Creed-Miles as the whimsical, sometimes psychotic Delirium.

When the Endless are assembled, it’s always more entertaining watching their familiar dynamic –– my only problem? Needed more Death, since Kirby is the best of the bunch (and we’re promised an adaptation of one of the character’s best storylines, ‘Death: The High Cost of Living’ as a standalone episode later in the season).

Elsewhere, new characters that make an impact include Dream’s son, Orpheus (Ruairi O’Connor), who plays an important part later in the season, and Ann Skelly, who impresses as Nuala, a member of Oberon and Titania’s royal court, who ends up making a big change in her life.

Ann Skelly as Nuala in episode 203 of ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

There is also a welcome return for some of the supporting characters from Season 1, including Merv Pumpkinhead (voiced by Mark Hamill), Matthew the Raven (with the vocal tones of Patton Oswalt), and Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne, the librarian who serves as Dream’s main assistant. Plus Hob Gadling, granted immortality, and who meets Dream every hundred years or so, has a solid scene early in the new season, with Ferdinand Kingsley bringing him to cocky, funny life.

Final Thoughts

Barry Sloane as Destruction in episode 206 of ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

Since this and Volume 2 (due on July 24th) represent the last ‘Sandman’ output we’ll be seeing for the foreseeable future, it’s at least reassuring that these are effective, well-crafted takes on the stories.

Is it a perfect version? No, but it has enough verve and magic about to cast a spell.
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What’s the plot of ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 1?

After a fateful reunion with his family, Dream of the Endless (Tom Sturridge) must face one impossible decision after another as he attempts to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds.

To make amends, Dream must confront longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals. But the path to forgiveness is full of unexpected twists and turns, and true absolution may cost Dream everything.

Who stars in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Volume 1?
- Tom Sturridge as Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams
- Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, the Lord of Hell
- Kirby as Death
- Adrian Lester as Destiny
- Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium
- Barry Sloane as The Prodigal
- Mason Alexander Park as Desire
- Ruairi O’Connor as Orpheus
- Freddie Fox as Loki
- Clive Russell as Odin
- Ann Skelly as Nuala
- Jack Gleeson as Puck
Jenna Coleman as Lady Johanna in episode 206 of ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025.

Movies and TV Shows Based on Vertigo Comics:
- ‘Tank Girl’ (1995)
- ‘Constantine’ (2005)
- ‘A History of Violence’ (2005)
- ‘V for Vendetta’ (2005)
- ‘Stardust’ (2007)
- ‘The Losers’ (2010)
- ‘Constantine’ (2014)
- ‘Lucifer’ (2016)
- ‘Preacher’ (2016)
- ‘The Kitchen’ (2019)
Buy Vertigo Comics Movies and TV on Amazon
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July 3, 2025
Netflix’s ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 Adds Steve Coogan and More
(Left) Steve Coogan to play Barnabas in season 2 of ‘The Sandman’. Photo: Thomas Laisne. (Right) Douglas Booth to play Cluracan in ‘The Sandman’ season 2. Photo: Simon Annand.

Preview:
- Steve Coogan, Jack Gleeson and more are joining ‘The Sandman’.
- Adrian Lester and others are already aboard.
- The Neil Gaiman adaptation is returning for a second season at Netflix.
Given the expansive (and clearly expensive) scope of ‘The Sandman’s first season of Netflix, there was naturally wondering –– and worrying –– over whether a second would even be ordered.

Fortunately, fans and more general audiences turned out in droves for that initial run of stories adaptation from the sprawling, iconic graphic novel series originated by Neil Gaiman from a heady stew of myths, legends, folklore and original ideas.

With shooting long under way on Season 2, now we know who will be joining the cast, including Steve Coogan, Jack Gleeson, Indya Moore and others.
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What’s the story of ‘The Sandman’?

Tom Sturridge as Dream in ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2021.

In Season 1, the Sandman, aka Dream (Tom Sturridge) — the powerful cosmic being who controls all our dreams — was unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for over a century. Once he escapes, he must journey across different worlds and timelines to fix the chaos his absence has caused.

In Season 2, the King of Dreams will come face-to-face — and go toe-to-toe — with the formidable rulers of Hell, Asgard, Faerie, and the realms beyond.

Related Article: TV Review: ‘The Sandman’

Who are the newest additions to ‘The Sandman’ Season 2?

(Left) Ruairi O’Connor to play Orpheus in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2. (Center Left) Freddie Fox to play Loki ‘The Sandman’ Season 2. (Center Right) Clive Russell to play Odin in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2. Photo: Sally Mais. (Right) Laurence O’Fuarain to play Thor in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2. Photo: Joseph Sinclair.

Here’s the most recent cast:

Ruairi O’Connor is Orpheus, the poet, musician, and oracle, is the only child of Dream and the muse, Calliope (last seen in ‘The Sandman,’ Episode 111). Orpheus is an idealistic, romantic, young man – and very much his father’s son – until tragedy strikes and reveals to him the true nature of love.

Freddie Fox (he/him) is Loki, the god of chaos. Loki is a charming, seductive shapeshifter. The smartest and most dangerous person in any room, Loki is utterly irresistible and never to be trusted.

Clive Russell is Odin, the father of Thor, and blood-brother to Loki. He is a longtime ally of Dream’s, but finds himself driven to desperate extremes in his efforts to stave off Ragnarök.

Laurence O’Fuarain is Thor, the storm god. With his hammer Mjollnir, Thor is brusque, rude, and driven entirely by his appetites –– for food and drink, for battle, and for sex.

Ann Skelly is Nuala and Douglas Booth is Cluracan, royal emissaries from the court of Faerie. Nuala and Cluracan are siblings who are opposites in every way. Nuala is responsible, empathetic, and principled. Cluracan is an impulsive rogue who lives for pleasure. They disagree about everything, except their devotion to one another.

(Left) Ann Skelly to play Nuala in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2. Photo: Misan Harriman. (Center) Jack Gleeson to play Puck in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2. Photo: Yellow Belly. (Right) Indya Moore to play Wanda in ‘The Sandman’ Season 2.

Jack Gleeson is Puck, a malevolent hobgoblin who serves as the royal jester to King Auberon of Faerie. Puck is fascinated by mortals and enjoys nothing more than making sport of them for his own amusement. He’s also the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Indya Moore is Wanda, a professional driver and security agent for an exclusive travel firm. Wanda proves herself to be an indispensable guide on an Endless road trip to the waking world.

Steve Coogan is the voice of Barnabas, the canine companion of the Endless’ prodigal brother. Barnabas is loyal and loving, but an outspoken cynic. He’s man’s best friend and man’s sharpest critic.

We’ll also meet other members of Dream’s Endless family, including Adrian Lester as Destiny, Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium, and Barry Sloane as The Prodigal.

Who is returning from Season 1?

(L to R) Tom Sturridge as Morpheus / Dream and Kirby as Death in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

Alongside Sturridge, returning cast includes other Endless such as Kirby as Death, Mason Alexander Park as Desire and Donna Preston as Despair.

We can also expect to see (or hear) Patton Oswalt, Vivienne Acheampong, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Coleman, Ferdinand Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Vanesu Samunyai, and Razane Jammal.

When will ‘The Sandman’ Season 2 land on Netflix?

The streaming service has yet to announce when Season 2 might arrive, though we can’t imagine it’ll be before 2025.

Comic book creator Neil Gaiman from Netflix’s ‘The Sandman’ at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

Other Neil Gaiman Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Babylon 5‘ (1994 – 1998)
- ‘Neverwhere‘ (1996)
- ‘MirrorMask‘ (2005)
- ‘Doctor Who‘ (2005 – 2021)
- ‘Stardust‘ (2007)
- ‘Beowulf‘ (2007)
- ‘Coraline‘ (2009)
- ‘Lucifer‘ (2016 – 2021)
- ‘American Gods‘ (2017 – 2021)
- ‘How to Talk to Girls at Parties‘ (2018)
- ‘Good Omens‘ (2019 – 2023)
Buy Neil Gaiman Movies on Amazon
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July 3, 2024
Netflix Renews ‘The Sandman’ for Season 2

Tom Sturridge as Morpheus / Dream in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

Like waking up from a nightmare, fans of Netflix’s adaptation of ‘The Sandman’, created by Neil Gaiman, have now learned the good news: the streaming service has renewed the show for a second season.

The news broke unexpectedly and – we’d have to assume – not in the fashion that Netflix would have preferred, as a tweet about the renewal from the official DC Comics account went online earlier than planned.

It was since confirmed by both Gaiman (via his own tweet) and Netflix.

The rumours are true. Netflix is thrilled that so many of you have been watching Sandman, and the thing we were all hoping would happen… has indeed happened… pic.twitter.com/zc5CrhsdZK

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 3, 2022

‘Sandman’, for those who might be unfamiliar, was a 75-issue DC/Vertigo comics series published in the 1990s. Gaiman’s own one-line synopsis was: “The lord of dreams learns that one must change or die, and makes his decision,” yet the sprawling series takes in pantheons and mythologies from across the globe, via threads about fantastical quests, serial killers, road trips, and short stories only tangentially connected to the core narrative. Many tales featured Dream’s siblings, the Endless: Destiny, Death, Destruction, Despair, Desire, and Delirium. There are some characters – such as members of his own family – who are happy to see Dream return, while others are not so sure this is a good thing.

“Millions upon millions of people have welcomed and watched and loved ‘The Sandman’ on Netflix, from established ‘Sandman’ fans to people who were simply curious, and then became obsessed with the Lord of Dreams, his family and their goings-on,” Gaiman said in a statement.

Season 1 only covered roughly two of the 10 trade paperbacks that make up the majority of the ‘Sandman’ story. Which means there is a wealth of material still to bring to screens.

(L to R) Tom Sturridge as Morpheus / Dream and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

“There are some astonishing stories waiting for Morpheus and the rest of them (not to mention more members of the Endless Family to meet),” Gaiman continued. “Nobody is going to be happier about this than the ‘Sandman’ cast and crew: They are the biggest Sandman fans there are. And now it’s time to get back to work. There’s a family meal ahead, after all. And Lucifer is waiting for Morpheus to return to Hell…”

Unlike ‘Good Omens’, Gaiman wasn’t the showrunner on ‘Sandman’, though he was deeply involved (including co-writing the first episode). Show boss Allan Heinberg will also be back for the new season.

“I’m profoundly grateful to Netflix and to Warner Bros. — to the artists and crew who made our first 11 episodes so magical — and to the extraordinary fans of ‘The Sandman’ who advocated tirelessly — endlessly — on the show’s behalf and made it possible for us to continue telling Morpheus’ story,” showrunner Heinberg tells Netflix’s Tudum blog.

Given the complexity of the show, we can’t imagine it’ll be back before 2024, but at least we know it’ll be back.

Tom Sturridge as Dream in ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2021.

November 3, 2022
TV Review: ‘The Sandman’

Tom Sturridge as Dream in ‘The Sandman.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2021.

Arriving on Netflix August 5th, ‘The Sandman’ is the culmination of years of efforts to bring Neil Gaiman’s classic graphic novel series to screens.

Filmmakers including Joseph Gordon-Levitt (‘Inception’), Roger Avery (‘Pulp Fiction’) and Eric Heisserer (‘Arrival’) have all tried to crack the code and bring Gaiman’s story to theaters. But in all the years of trying, no one has gotten close to making it happen. And Gaiman has gone on record as saying that one or two of the scripts he’s written (not by those listed above) are among the worst he’s ever read, let alone adaptations of his work.

You can imagine, then, the pressure on the team looking to bring it to Netflix. Fortunately, Gaiman is fully involved this time, and while he isn’t running the show as he did with Prime Video’s ‘Good Omens’, he’s had a lot of say in what ends up on screen, including co-writing the first episode with fellow executive producers David Goyer and Allan Heinberg (the latter of whom took the lion’s share of the work).

And, with the longer time permitted by a season of television and the hefty budget/credibility provided by Netflix, it’s a relief to say that the show really works – for the most part, at least.

(L to R) Tom Sturridge as Morpheus / Dream and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

The focus of the comics’ series (co-created by artists Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg) is the titular Sandman, called Dream, but also known as Morpheus, among other titles. He is one of the seven Endless, a family of anthropomorphic godlike beings. The other Endless are Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium (formerly Delight), and Destruction (also called ‘The Prodigal’).

Adapting the first couple of volumes of the comics, the show kicks off with Dream (played by Tom Sturridge) unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for over a century by magician Roderick Burgess (Charles Dance) through the use of an incantation.

Once Dream is able to finally free himself, he must journey across different worlds and timelines to fix the chaos his absence has caused.

That’s a very basic summary, especially for the sprawling source material, which has generated reams of stories and spin-offs. The show doesn’t try to squeeze everything into these initial 10 episodes, but there is plenty to see, including a trip to Hell, a convention of serial killers, a beautiful visit with one of Death’s siblings and one terrible night for the customers in a diner.

Boyd Holbrook as The Corinthian in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

Like the comics before it, the series functions as almost a set of short stories, linked by the overarching characters of Dream, his family and various attendants/creations/humans. There’s an episodic feel to many installments, which means that if you’re not a fan of one, the next is likely to offer something you’ll enjoy instead.

Early on, the story is burdened by the need to set itself up, to introduce the world to newcomers (and not frustrate those who have feverishly consumed the comic across the years) and offer a briefing on Dream’s tough situation.

It helps that you have the likes of Charles Dance in the early going, bringing gravitas and grit to roles that could so easily be cartoonish, and if Sturridge takes a little while to warm up to playing such a tricky character as Dream, he does find his stride.

Dream could be a massive cliché, the sort of whispering goth guy who looks like a young Robert Smith (of The Cure). In Sturridge and the writers/directors’ hands, he’s a complicated, conflicted creation, rocked by his entrapment and thrown off balance by the changes to his dreaming realm upon his return.

Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer Morningstar in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

His quest to reacquire his magical tools – a bag of sand, a helm that looks like gas mask affixed to a spine and a ruby with terrifying powers – is sometimes the least interesting story, feeling like watching someone play a video game and collect items while battling level bosses, but it’s still filled with enough of Gaiman and co.’s creativity and creatures to make it watchable.

One particularly disappointing aspect is the fourth episode, ‘A Hope in Hell’. Despite boasting ‘Game of Thrones’ Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, it ends up a ridiculous, poorly executed (several big effects shots look like a 1990s TV drama) battle of wills where the outcome is never in doubt.

That, however, is entirely balanced out by the sixth episode, ‘The Sound of Her Wings’, which features one of ‘Sandman’s most iconic and beloved characters, Dream’s older sister Death.

Eschewing the usual cloaked skeleton or otherwise imposing figure, Gaiman instead imagines her as an impish young woman, with a cheery face and a kind word to guide humans from the land of the living to “the sunless lands” once they die. Brought to life on screen by ‘The Good Place’s Kirby Howell-Baptiste, she’s a show highlight, a charming and effusive counterpoint to Dream’s gloomy, wet-eyed meandering.

(L to R) Tom Sturridge as Morpheus / Dream and Stephen Fry as Fiddler’s Green / Gilbert in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

Yet even he gets some real moments to shine in that same episode, with the other half of the running time given over to the story of Dream’s encounters with Hob Gadling (Ferdinand Kingsley), whom he first meets in 1389. The subject of a bet between Death and Dream, Hob gets his wish to become immortal and meets Dream every hundred years in the same tavern.

We watch Hob’s fate rise and fall and Kingsley imbues him with real, deep emotion, crafting a character who watches the world change around him, sometimes using that to his advantage, other times suffering for it. It’s a magnificent performance and elevates the show around it.

Other elements to recommend include Matthew the Raven, who aids Dream in his missions. A winning combination of superb digital effects and real birds, Matthew also benefits from a charming voice performance by Patton Oswalt.

David Thewlis, meanwhile, brings pathos and cold sociopathy all at once to John Dee, whose ownership of Dream’s ruby goes very, very wrong. Thewlis is, in fact, like Kingsley, one of the actors whose performance is superior to the source material.

David Thewlis as Dr. John Dee in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

‘The Sandman’ may never please every fan in exactly the way they hope – this is an adaptation, don’t forget – but it’s faithful where needed, spirited and fantastical. It also doesn’t shave away the more brutal ruminations on the darker side of humanity.

Faithful fans have waited many years to see the series realized; this might be as close to correct as it’s possible to get in the visual medium.

‘The Sandman’ receives 4 out of 5 stars.

(L to R) Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death and Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

August 8, 2022
Comic-Con 2022: Netflix’s ‘The Sandman’ Panel and New Trailer

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Few genre projects are as anticipated at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con than Netflix’s series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Sandman’.

Sure, there are the gigantic likes of Marvel and DC bringing their own latest comic book-based treats to con audiences, but Gaiman’s sprawling, mystical and magical tale of the Lord of Dreams (and the various people, creatures and realms he encounters) is a truly special one to its fans.

And it’s a story that has long defied attempts at adaptation, especially on the movie front (and partly because Gaiman himself has tried to make sure that if it happened at all, it happens right).

The longer format of serialized television and the budgets/technology afforded by today’s streaming services finally appears to have cracked it, and the show is less than a month away. So Netflix naturally went all out with a Hall H panel featuring cast and creators.

The cast of Netflix’s ‘The Sandman’ at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

Grouped together on stage were stars Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie, Boyd Holbrook, Jenna Coleman, Vivienne Acheampong, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Vanesu Samunyai, Patton Oswalt, creator/executive producer Gaiman and showrunner/executive producer Allan Heinberg.

For those who might be unaware of the comic book (which debuted back in the 1980s), this is the story of another world that waits for all of us when we close our eyes and sleep — a place called the Dreaming, where The Sandman, Master of Dreams (Sturridge), gives shape to all of our deepest fears and fantasies.

But when Dream is unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for a century, his absence sets off a series of events that will change both the dreaming and waking worlds forever. To restore order, Dream must journey across different worlds and timelines to mend the mistakes he’s made during his vast existence, revisiting old friends and foes, and meeting new entities — both cosmic and human — along the way.

That feels like a very CliffsNotes summation for something that is gigantic and filled with myths and monsters. Oh, and a talking Raven called Matthew (voiced in the series by Oswalt, a confirmed fan of the comics who read from issue one).

Comic book creator Neil Gaiman from Netflix’s ‘The Sandman’ at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

Gaiman talked about how happy he was that the story was finally coming to the screen in the right way, while the cast enthused about getting to play their various characters. There were the usual anecdotes – Tom Sturridge, who plays Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams, was cast after hundreds of other actors were auditioned, while Gwendoline Christie plays Lucifer as a “junkie angel”.

Perhaps the biggest news to emerge was that artist Dave McKean – who created so many of the beautiful covers for the comics, but who had effectively retired from work on it – was back for the show. “Every episode has end-title credits, and it’s a different sequence for each episode,” said Gaiman, “this amazing, flowing film that Dave McKean made.”

Clips from a couple of episodes were screened, though as usual those were only for attendees. Netflix was gracious enough to put a new trailer online for everyone to see.

Tom Sturridge from Netflix’s ‘The Sandman’ at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

‘The Sandman’ will premiere on Netflix for its first season on August 5th.

Tom Sturridge as Morpheus / Dream in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

(L to R) Tom Sturridge as Morpheus / Dream and Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

(L to R) Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death and Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer Morningstar in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

David Thewlis as Dr. John Dee in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

(L to R) Tom Sturridge as Morpheus / Dream and Stephen Fry as Fiddler’s Green / Gilbert in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

Boyd Holbrook as The Corinthian in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

Joely Richardson as Ethel Cripps in Netflix’s ‘The Sandman.’

July 23, 2022
Netflix Announces Next TUDUM Event

Last September, Netflix offered fans some intriguing looks at upcoming shows and movies, and proved to be a major success, garnering over 25 million views, with the total number of views for the pre-shows, clips, trailers, and other content from the fan event totaling nearly 695 million views with over 3.3 billion impressions across 184 countries.

It’s perhaps not surprising, then, that the company would look to do it again, so mark September 24th on your calendar, as that’s when Netflix will launch the next TUDUM fan event via YouTube.

The schedule for 2022’s TUDUM: A Netflix Global Fan Event will kick off at 11:00 am KST (which is 7:00 pm PT on September 23rd). This first event will focus on the many exciting projects that are coming out of Korea for the streaming service – which means we could possibly get some news about the second season of ‘Squid Game’ and much more.

The next event will be held a few hours later at 11:00 am IST (or 10:30 pm PT on September 23rd). This event will focus on projects coming to Netflix from India.

US viewers get their official turn at 10:00 am PT on September 24th, where fans will get exclusive news from the shows and movies coming out of the United States and Europe, as well as an additional event that previews the projects that are coming from Latin America.

Tudum: A Netflix Global Fan Event Is Back September 24, 2022.

Finally, the last event will be held at 1:00 pm JST on September 25 (9:00 pm PT on September 24th), during which TUDUM will shine a light on shows and films from Japan.

“Tune in for an exciting day of exclusive news, never-before-seen footage, trailers, and first looks, as well as interviews with Netflix’s biggest stars and creators,” says the official announcement. “The free virtual event is a celebration of Netflix fandom and is dedicated to sharing the scoop on over 100 fan favorite shows, films and specials from across the globe.”

Netflix isn’t revealing exactly what will be featured during the new event – you’ll have to be patient – but we can surely expect updates on the likes of ‘Bridgerton’s third season, the next run of ‘The Crown’, and ‘Knives Out’ sequel ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’.

And even though the latest seasons of ‘Cobra Kai’ and ‘The Sandman’ will have already launched, we may still get interviews with the stars and creators, plus behind the scenes secrets.

The first TUDUM was a lot of fun, featuring Millie Bobby Brown, the ‘Bridgerton’ cast and more, and delivered plenty of updates. This next incarnation promises to be even bigger. Fingers crossed for some huge revelation – ‘The Gray Man 2’, anyone?

Ryan Gosling in ‘The Gray Man.’ Photo: Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022.

July 15, 2022