Fans are anxiously awaiting any news regarding Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s classic comic book series The Sandman. Gaiman himself was able to reveal more some information about the show in an interview with Empire Magazine in addition to releasing a new image from it.
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“You watch Episode 1 and think, ‘Oh, I get this thing: it’s like Downton Abbey, but with magic,’” Gaiman said while discussing the many tones and styles explored in the comic, and subsequently the upcoming series. “Then you’ll be wondering, ‘What the hell is this?’ by Episode 2, when you’re meeting Gregory The Gargoyle in The Dreaming. Episode 5 is about as dark and traumatic as anything is ever gonna get, then you’ve got Episode 6, which is probably the most feel-good of all the episodes.”
He then spoke about how each episode is different, unlike other series.
“If you didn’t like an episode of Game Of Thrones, you probably won’t like any other episode of Game Of Thrones,” he said. “With Sandman, it’s all about surprising you. It’s all about reinventing itself. It’s all about taking you on a journey you’ve not been on before.”
Alongside the interview, Gaiman also shared a new image from the series, showcasing Tom Sturridge as Dream standing alongside Vivienne Acheampong’s librarian Lucienne on what looks to be a vast plain with water behind them.
The live-action series will be led by Tom Sturridge (Sweetbitter) as Dream, the Lord of the Dreaming; Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) as Lucifer, the ruler of Hell; Vivienne Acheampong (The Witches) as Lucienne, the chief librarian and trusted guardian of Dream’s realm; Boyd Holbrook (Logan) as The Corinthian, an escaped nightmare who wishes to taste all that the world has in store; Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) as Roderick Burgess, a charlatan, blackmailer, and magician; Asim Chaudhry (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch), and Sanjeev Bhaskar (Yesterday) Abel and Cain, the first victim and the first predator, who are residents and loyal subjects of the Dream Realm.
Pick up the first volume of Sandman by clicking here
Additional cast members include Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Killing Eve, Cruella) as Death, Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck) as Ethel Cripps, David Thewlis (Harry Potter films) as John Dee, Stephen Fry (Wilde) as Gilbert, Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille) voicing the character of Matthew the Raven, and Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) as Johanna Constantine. Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Razane Jammal, Niamh Walsh, Kyo Ra, and Sandra James Young have also been cast for the roles of Desiree, Despair, Lyta Hall, Young Ethel Cripps, Rose Walker, and Unity Kincaid, respectively.
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The live-action series is being written by Gaiman (American Gods) and Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, Grey’s Anatomy), who will also serve as showrunner. David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, Foundation) will executive produce the drama from Warner Bros. Television. Last year, Gaiman also revealed that they are also already planning for a potential second season.
Sandman, which launched DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, ran for 75 issues beginning in 1989. Gaiman’s worlds within worlds weaved an episodic anthology, focusing on the allegorical character of Dream and his brothers and sisters, known as the Endless (Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium, Destruction, and Destiny).
