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Published on September 11, 2024
The Sandman Season 2: First look at Thor & Loki, Release date, cast, plot, & Everything we know About Neil Gaiman’s cult Fantasy Series
Published
Get ready to return to the mesmerizing world of The Sandman! Recent updates reveal that the highly anticipated second season is currently in production, and an exciting behind-the-scenes look was shared during Netflix's Geeked Week.Â
This sneak peek offered fans a glimpse into showrunner Allan Heinberg's innovative vision, showcasing the captivating realms and gothic aesthetics that made season one a standout among recent adaptations.
The first season wrapped up with Morpheus (Tom Sturridge) striving to restore order to the Dreaming after a century-long imprisonment, leaving viewers eager for more. As filming progresses, new casting announcements have added to the excitement, bringing fresh faces into the mix. Notably, Esmé Creed-Miles, Adrian Lester, and Barry Sloane will join the ensemble, hinting at the rich narrative tapestry to come.
This article delves into everything we know about The Sandman season two, including character details and what fans can expect as they await the continuation of this beloved adaptation. Stay tuned as we unveil more thrilling insights and updates leading to its release!
Release date & Where to Watch
While there’s no official release date for The Sandman season two, Netflix is targeting 2025 for its return.Â
The Sandman's second season will feature 12 episodes, likely released across three volumes, with the first set expected in 2025.Â
Plot
Season one of The Sandman successfully brought Neil Gaiman's dark fantasy comic to life. The story follows Dream, an entity with the power to control the world’s dreams who has been imprisoned for over a century. Upon his release, Dream embarks on a journey across timelines and universes to restore order in a world spiraling into chaos during his absence.
As for The Sandman season two, the official storyline remains under wraps, though film critics suggest that there are many stories left from the 10-volume series for Netflix to explore.Â
Director Jamie Childs has confirmed that the second season will feature a variety of genres, including Greek tragedy, cyberpunk, and contemporary drama. Fans should expect a diverse storytelling experience.
Based on the source material, it's anticipated that season two will focus on Season of Mists and A Game of You, covering the fourth and fifth volumes of Gaiman's graphic novels. Season of Mists introduces a major plot where Lucifer abdicates the throne of Hell, leaving Dream to determine its new ruler. Meanwhile, A Game of You follows Barbie’s return to a fantasy world in the Dreaming, setting up more complex and imaginative narratives.
Additionally, rumors suggest that the Brief Lives storyline could also be part of this season, potentially introducing Dream’s brother, Destruction.Â
Fans of The Sandman can also expect to see more of Death, portrayed by Kirby Howell-Baptiste, as well as potential crossovers with Netflix's new Dead Boy Detectives series, which exists in the same universe. With exciting casting rumors and hints at storylines that remain faithful to Gaiman's original work, season two promises to deliver another thrilling, fantastical journey.
Cast
- Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium
- Adrian Lester as Destiny
- Barry Sloane as The Prodigal
- Tom Sturridge as Dream
- Kirby as Death
- Mason Alexander Park as Desire
- Donna Preston as DespairÂ
- Ruairi O’Connor as Dream’s son Orpheus
- Freddie Fox (The Great, Slow Horses, The Gentlemen) as Loki
- Clive Russell (The Cursed, Sherlock Holmes, Game of Thrones) as Odin
- Laurence O’Fuarain (The Witcher: Blood Origin, The Gentlemen) as Thor
- Ann Skelly (The Nevers, Death and Nightingales, Red Rock) as Nuala
- Douglas Booth (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Dirt) as Cluracan
- Indya Moore (Queen & Slim, Pose, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom) as Wanda
- Steve Coogan (The Trip) as BarnabusÂ
- Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones, Sex Education) as Puck
EpisodesÂ
In April 2024, it was revealed that The Sandman’s second season will consist of 12 episodes. The titles for the first six episodes were also shared:
- Season 2 Episode 1: The Song of Orpheus - This episode will focus on Orpheus, played by Ruairi O’Connor.
- Season 2 Episode 2: More Devils Than Vast Hell Can Hold - A nod to the issue A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Season 2 Episode 3: Brief Lives - Based on the comic issue of the same name.
- Season 2 Episode 4: Family Blood - Likely referencing Dream's efforts to avoid spilling family blood.
- Season 2 Episode 5: The Ruler of Hell - Gwendoline Christie’s Lucifer may return—or could there be a new ruler?
- Season 2 Episode 6: Season of Mists - Tied to the comic arc where characters like Odin, Thor, and Loki are expected to appear.
Official Trailer
Netflix released a teaser for season two, showcasing Sturridge as Morpheus and new casting announcements, including more of the Endless siblings. While no release date has been confirmed, it's expected to be revealed in the official trailer.
Netflix previously released teaser footage featuring Dream's Helm emerging from a sea of shifting sand. Watch below:
What Happened in The Sandman Season 1?
In The Sandman season one, Dream, one of the Endless, is imprisoned by occultists for over a century. After escaping, he sets out to restore his realm, The Dreaming, which has fallen into chaos during his absence. Dream recovers his stolen tools, including a confrontation with Lucifer in Hell, and defeats John Dee, who temporarily wields Dream’s ruby.
The season follows two main storylines from Neil Gaiman's comic series: Preludes and Nocturnes and The Doll’s House. In the first arc, Dream embarks on a journey to recover his tools, while the second centers on Rose Walker, a Dream Vortex with the power to manipulate dreams. Rose’s status threatens the Dreaming, but her grandmother Unity Kincaid sacrifices herself, revealing Rose as a descendant of Dream’s sibling, Desire, who had plotted to destroy him.
Alongside these major arcs, the season also explores smaller stories, like Morpheus's connection with his sister Death and his friendship with the immortal Hob Gadling. It also includes standalone episodes like "The Sound of Her Wings" and two stories from Dream Country: "A Dream of a Thousand Cats" and "Calliope."
The season ends with a cliffhanger, as Lucifer plots revenge against Dream, vowing to use Hell's armies to destroy him, the Waking World, and possibly Heaven.
What is the Connection Between The Sandman and Dead Boy Detectives?
The Dead Boy Detectives characters, Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri) and Edwin Paine (George Rexstrew), first appeared in The Sandman #25 comic. Originally intended as a spinoff of Max’s Doom Patrol, the series moved to Netflix, allowing for a stronger connection to The Sandman, since the streamer holds both shows.
In Dead Boy Detectives, Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), who is Dream's sister, chases Charles and Edwin to take them to the afterlife, a change from the comics where she allows them to stay on Earth. Despair, another Endless member, also appears in Dead Boy Detectives. Though other comic links, like hell's landscape and Lucifer's role, differ from The Sandman, these plot points could still unfold in future seasons.
Production & Filming
The Sandman returned to production on Nov. 29, 2023, with creator Neil Gaiman sharing a behind-the-scenes photo of stars Tom Sturridge and Mason Alexander Park.Â
Filming began in June 2023, taking place in London, Dorset, and Brighton, with production ongoing.
Behind the Scenes
Jamie Childs returns to direct season two of The Sandman, with Neil Gaiman, Allan Heinberg, and David Goyer as executive producers. Produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television, the series features cinematography by Will Baldy, George Steele (Peaky Blinders), and Sam Heasman (Doctor Who), with music by David Buckley (The Good Fight). Costume designer Sarah Arthur (Sherlock) and property master Gordon Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones) faithfully recreated the comic book’s iconic look.
Netflix gave fans a glimpse of The Sandman season two during Geeked Week with a three-minute behind-the-scenes including an army on fire and a family dinner, and reveals that season two will follow Dream as he rebuilds his realm. The video also teases the introduction of new characters like Thor and Loki, as well as the first onscreen meeting of all seven Endless. Fans of the books are in for a treat, and more trailers are expected in the coming months. Check out the video below.