Netflix’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s renowned graphic novel series, The Sandman, has gained significant attention, accumulating nearly 400 million viewing hours from its release on August 5, 2022, to September 18, 2022. Despite initial uncertainties about the show’s performance and its costly production budget, Netflix ultimately decided to greenlight a second season. The official trailer suggests this new installment will be just as visually magnificent and engaging as its predecessor.
(Spoilers for Season 1 below.)
The first part of Season 1 followed Morpheus, also known as Dream (played by Tom Sturridge), as he was captured and imprisoned by British aristocrat Roderick Burgess (Charles Dance), along with his son Alex (Laurie Kynaston). Following Dream’s escape, he discovered that his realm, the Dreaming, had deteriorated, prompting him to reclaim his three essential artifacts—the helm, a pouch of sand, and a ruby—to restore his kingdom. The latter half of the season featured Dream pursuing an escaped nightmare named The Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook), who had transitioned into a notorious serial killer. The storyline culminated around a young woman, Rose Walker (Kyo Ra), who was revealed to be a Vortex—an entity capable of manipulating dreams, leading to catastrophic outcomes.
In the conclusion of the season, Dream neutralized The Corinthian and eliminated the threat posed by the Vortex. However, Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie) was plotting retaliatory measures after being outmaneuvered by Dream in a critical confrontation for his helm. Two additional episodes were released: the animated “Dream of a Thousand Cats” and “Calliope,” in which Dream intervened to rescue his former wife, the titular muse (Melissanthi Mahut), from an author who had imprisoned her for inspiration.
The upcoming season will “begin a few weeks later,” as revealed by showrunner Allan Heinberg. “After more than a century away from the Dreaming, Dream has been restoring and rebuilding his kingdom. As he transforms the palace, he vows to leave the past behind and look to the future. The past, of course, has other ideas.” The 11 episodes will adapt storylines from “Tales in the Sand,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Song of Orpheus,” “Thermidor,” and “The Tempest,” among other notable segments from Gaiman’s Sandman series. Fans can also expect a special episode titled “Death: the High Cost of Living,” centering on a beloved character from the Endless.
Season 2 will introduce some new design elements. Heinberg commented, “Design-wise, Dream has a new palace which symbolizes his intense desire to move on from the events of Season 1. This includes a revamped throne room and outer lobby. We are exploring new time periods, worlds, and realms, with designs that all draw inspiration from the comics.”
Returning cast members include Sturridge as Morpheus/Dream, Kirby as Death, Mason Alexander Park as Desire, Donna Preston as Despair, and Christie as Lucifer. The trailer also indicates the return of Stephen Fry as Fiddler’s Green, Holbrook’s The Corinthian, Mervyn Pumpkinhead (voiced by Mark Hamill), and The Fates, portrayed by Dinita Gohil, Nina Wadia, and Souad Faress as Maiden, Mother, and Crone, respectively.
New faces in the ensemble include Adrian Lester as Destiny, Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium, and Barry Sloane as Destruction, also referred to as The Prodigal. Other new cast members will portray characters such as Orpheus (Ruairi O’Connor), Loki (Freddie Fox), Odin (Clive Russell), Thor (Laurence O’Fuarain), Nuala (Ann Skelly), Cluracan (Douglas Booth), Puck (Jack Gleeson), Wanda (Indya Moore), and the voice of Barnabas, Destruction’s canine companion, provided by Steve Coogan.
The second season of The Sandman will be available on Netflix in two volumes. Volume 1 will premiere on July 13, 2025, followed by Volume II on July 25, 2025. The additional episode, “Death: The High Cost of Living,” is scheduled for airing on July 31, 2025.
