The Sandman graphic – Picture: DC / Vertigo
A new year means we should be hearing a lot more about Netflix’s The Sandman in the coming months after filming began in October 2020. Here’s the latest on The Sandman including all the current casting rumors, where the series is in production and when we can expect to see it grace our Netflix subscriptions.
In July 2019, it was reported by Deadline that Netflix and Warner Bros. TV had held talks to discuss the future of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. With confirmation that Netflix has successfully picked up the series shortly afterward, this brought the title out of the development limbo that it had been in for over a decade.
The adaptation will be handled by Allan Heinberg who previously worked on Wonder Woman and Grey’s Anatomy will serve as both writer and showrunner of The Sandman. Creator of The Sandman, Neil Gaiman will serve as an executive producer alongside David S. Goyer.
When is The Sandman season one coming to Netflix?
In an interview with Digital Spy, Neil Gaiman confirmed that the series will be arriving at some point in 2021. Given the production delays (see below) we’re currently expecting the latter half of 2021.
What is The Sandman?
The Sandman is an American comic book series created by Neil Gaiman. It stands as one of the few comic book titles to become a New York Times bestseller. The Sandman series was the flagship title for Vertigo comics. Neil Gaiman’s writing is famous for his take on mythology and his use of anthropomorphic personification of metaphysical entities. Some of Gaiman’s most recent and most popular works are titles such as Starz’ American Gods, Good Omens on Amazon Prime, and Lucifer on Netflix.
The story of the Sandman revolves around the character Dream, one of the Seven Endless. Dream, along with the other ‘Endless’ are billions of years old and each represents an embodiment of a natural force. Dream, also known as Morpheus along with a whole heap of other names and titles acquired over billions of years, is the anthropomorphic personification of dreams. Morpheus resides in his realm “The Dreaming” where he has complete and utter control but struggles to adapt to change (a common theme recurring throughout the series).
At the beginning of the story, Morpheus is summoned by occult ritual but is captured and held prisoner for 70 years. Eventually escaping, Morpheus would reap his vengeance upon his captors and would return to his realm. During Morpheus’ absence, his realm had fallen into a state of disrepair and would set about rebuilding it. While captive, Morpheus had time to reflect on his past but the challenge of undoing past sins would be an enormous undertaking that’s billions of years old and set in his ways.
Morpheus – Copyright. Vertigo Comics
Who are the cast members of The Sandman?
The Sandman / Morpheus / Dream – Tom Sturridge
Prior to the official announcement, we learned from Daniel Richtman and his Patreon that Tom Sturridge would be taking on the role of Dream, aka the Sandman.
“The titular Sandman. Lord of Dreams and keeper of the realm of the Dreaming. Late 20s/early 30s. Ghostly, rail-thin. Because dreams are the inspiration for all life and creation, Morpheus sees governing them as a grave responsibility. He is an honorable, principled being, but he can be a bit obsessive about his duties and is ruthless when displeased. Dream’s obsessiveness can leave him out of touch with humanity, as he sees human beings as mere engines for dreams. An arrogant god who eventually learns that he must change or die.”
Tom Sturridge is Dream aka The Sandman – Copyright. Vertigo Comics
The Corinthian – Boyd Holbrook
“Supernaturally handsome, The Corinthian exudes style, sex, wit, and a predatory wrongness. A nightmare-come-to-life, but one you can’t keep your eyes off. Embodies humanity’s darkest, most sadistic, homicidal impulses when they are not bound by compassion, empathy, and love.
Originally created by Dream, The Corinthian is determined to thwart his maker at every turn.”
Boyd Holbrook is The Corinthian – Copyright. Vertigo Comics
Roderick Burgess – Charles Dance
“Roderick Burgess is a self-proclaimed sorcerer & prophet. He is the founder of the Order of Ancient Mysteries, which promises self-actualization through the occult – for a price. In truth there is nothing magical about Roderick. He’s a fraud – but an energetic, intensely charismatic one. A narcissist, he relishes encounters with much younger women and the accumulation of wealth and treasure. Wounded by the untimely loss of his eldest son, Roderick treats his youngest son, Alex, with cruelty and disregard.”
Charles Dance is Roderick Burgess – Copyright. Vertigo Comics
Lucifer – Gwendoline Christie
In January 2021, DiscussingFilm reported that Gwendoline Christie (known for roles in Game of Thrones and Star Wars) had been cast but it wasn’t clear in what role although they speculate that it could be either Desire or Death. Gwendoline also teamed up with Neil Gaiman recently to narrate The Sleeper and the Spindle for BBC Radio 4.
Gwendoline Christie is Lucifer – Copyright. Vertigo Comics
Lucien – Vivienne Acheampong
Vivienne Acheampong will take on the role of Lucien, the head librarian of the Dreaming, and resident of Dream’s castle. The job of Lucien is to take care of Dream’s vast library, overseeing the collection of every book that was ever imagined, regardless of whether or not it was published.
Vivienne Acheampong is Luciene – Copyright. Vertigo Comics
Cain – Sanjeev Bhaskar
The Sinnerman and Dream’s emissary to Hell, Cain is the brother to Abel. A neighbor of Dream, Cain resides in his home in the House of Mystery. Cain loves his brother despite his obsessive and compulsive desire to kill Abel.
Sanjeev Bhaskar is Cain – Copyright. Vertigo Comics
Abel – Asim Chaudhry
The brother of Cain, Abel has to put up with his brother’s antics on a regular basis, especially when he is killed. Immortal like his brother, Abel is able to revive and recover from death and has the vain hope that he and his brother can have a more harmonious relationship.
Asim Chaudhry is Abel – Copyright. Vertigo Comics
Actress Nina Wadia has also been confirmed for the role of Fate Mother, while Steven Brand will portray Marsh Janowski, and actresses Emma Duncan and Stacey Abalogun hold the roles of Bette Munroe and Nurse Edmund, respectively.
Twelve exciting new cast members have been confirmed for The Sandman!
In full the new cast members of The Sandman are;
- Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death
- Mason Alexander Park as Desire
- Donna Preston as Despair
- Razane Jammal as Lyta Hall
- Joely Richardson as Ethel Cripps
- Niamh Walsh as Young Ethel Cripps
- David Thewlis as John Dee
- Kyo Ra as Rose Walker
- Patton Oswalt as the voice of Matthew the Raven
- Stephen Fry as Gilbert
- Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine
- Sandra James Young as Unity Kincaid
Jenna Coleman’s casting as Johanna Constantine may be another gender-reversed role for the series after Gwendoline Christie and Vivienne Acheampong, respectively. The character of Johanna Constantine is in The Sandman comics and is an ancestor of John Constantine, the famous occult detective of DC Comics. It’s unknown if Coleman is playing the role of John’s ancestor, or a gender-reversed take on the character instead.
How much of The Sandman will be covered in the first season?
Neil Gaiman himself has promised fans that The Sandman adaptation will be faithful to the comics.
Preludes and Nocturnes is the first volume of The Sandman and covers issues #1-8. With the first season set to cover the first volume and some of volume two (The Doll’s House), there are loads to look forward to.
At the DC Fandome event, though, Neil Gaiman confirmed that the story will not start in the 1980s instead it will start in the modern day for the Netflix series.
The Sandman has ten volumes in total (75 issues) so this means Netflix has the potential to produce at least four seasons.
Could Lucifer make an appearance?
It has been confirmed that Lucifer will star in The Sandman series. Fans of the Lucifer series will be disappointed to learn that Tom Ellis won’t be reprising his role as the Devil, but the appointment of Gwendoline Christie offers us a brand new and intriguing take on the character.
Lucifer made an appearance in Preludes of Nocturnes (Issues #1-8 of The Sandman). He also made another appearance later on in The Sandman‘s run during The Kindly Ones in issues #57-69.
What about other DC characters?
Throughout the run of The Sandman other popular DC characters have made cameo appearances. Batman is definitely the most high profile character that has had a cameo, followed by Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. It’s highly doubtful any of those heroes will be making an appearance.
Lesser-known characters such as Black Spider, Doctor Occult, and Mister Miracle could make an appearance assuming Warner Brothers allows it.
Batman and The Sandman – Copyright. DC Comics
Was Lucifer canceled because of Sandman?
A small portion of the Lucifer fandom believed that Lucifer has been canceled in favor of The Sandman. Neil Gaiman took to Twitter to directly deal with the issue when asked by a fan:
Hello Mr @neilhimself ,
Some Lucifans believe you are the reason why Netflix ends #Lucifer , to promote Sandman instead. But Lucifer comes from you too!
Please, tell me it is not true, or, if it is, that it is Netflix’s decision and not yours.
Thank you,
Best regards— Camille – Do not spoil me, Devil, Devil (@camille_bourg) January 28, 2020
What is the production status of The Sandman?
Current Production Status: Filming as of October 15th (Last Updated: 10/19/2020)
Shooting for the series was supposed to originally begin at the end of May 2020 however as you can imagine, that wasn’t able to happen.
In an interview, Neil Gaiman said:
“We’re working with Netflix, we were meant to start shooting at the end of May.
Given this COVID world, everything is on pause.”
On his blog on Tumblr back in April 2020, Gaiman had the following to say:
“It’s going really well, except it’s kind of hibernating right now until people start making TV again. The scripts for the first season are written, casting had started, directors hired, sets were being built. Everything was ready to go into production, and then we moved into a pause. As soon as the world is ready to make TV drama, Sandman will move smoothly back into being made. In the meantime, we are taking the opportunity to get the scripts as good as we can.”
On September 27th, 2020 Neil Gaiman shared when the series begins production saying the series “begins shooting in 3 weeks” which would be around mid-October 2020.
It’s starting to feel real. We begin shooting in 3 weeks, lockdowns permitting. #SandmanonNetflix pic.twitter.com/B4QKU9NooT
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) September 27, 2020
That was then confirmed to have started filming on October 19th, 2020.
Oh, we started shooting on Thursday. Dr John Hathaway has brought a book from the museum in which he works, to Roderick Burgess. But you’re right, it’s going to be time to announce some casting soon. https://t.co/goXqhEZHgi
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) October 18, 2020
During the Netflix Geeked week event we recieved our first look at the production of The Sandman, with a behind the scenes video with The Sandman creaator Neil Gaiman.
Go behind the scenes with @Neilhimself for a sneek peek at the production of The Sandman. #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/n3EQebWz5C
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) June 8, 2021
How many episodes will The Sandman season one air?
Neil Gaiman himself confirmed the number of episodes the first season will debut with that being 11 episodes.
The first season will be eleven episodes. That’s the start of it all. Preludes and Nocturnes and a little bit more. https://t.co/tOlfJ1kS1y
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 2, 2019
Other The Sandman news relating to Netflix or otherwise
- In July 2020, an audiobook adaptation was released to the world to rave reviews.
- In September 2020, Netflix put up an official page for the show on Netflix which doesn’t reveal much but does allow you to set a reminder when it does eventually come out.
Reminder set! Not that I’m gonna need reminding ⌛️@neilhimself
Set your #TheSandman reminder: https://t.co/qCxijFD8eA pic.twitter.com/zE2pfR1HMn
— The Sandman on Netflix (Fan Page) (@Sandman_Netflix) September 14, 2020
Are you looking forward to seeing The Sandman on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
