Netflix’s ‘Sandman’ Releases First Look – New Character Posters and More
Sweet dreams are made of these– let’s take a closer look at the first images from Netflix’s The Sandman.
Friday was a big day for Sandman stans. New posters for the upcoming Netflix series were released online, giving us our first glimpses of the Endless – Dream, Death, and Desire. Plus, we got our first looks at sets, stills– and the capture of the Lord of Dreams himself.
This article contains a few mild spoilers for the comic book ‘The Sandman’.
Courtesy of Netflix
Netflix’s TUDUM event featured a slew of previews for the streamer’s upcoming productions. This celebration included Neil Gaiman, Tom Sturridge, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste taking the stage to give fans a sneak peek of the upcoming series.
First, Neil went behind-the-scenes to visit sets. We get a view of the Undercroft, where Roderick Burgess holds Dream prisoner for 70 years. We also saw some storyboard scenes, like this one that closely mirrors a moment in the famous comic.
Courtesy of Netflix
There’s also a breathtaking image of Morpheus is Hell, asking Lucifer to return his helm.
Courtesy of Netflix
And perhaps the most bone-chilling images was the signage for the “Cereal Convention”. This is where we meet the Collectors. Among them is the Corinthian, a disturbing nightmare escaped from the Dreaming. The Corinthian, to be played by Boyd Holbrook, created to reflect the fear of the darkness, and the darkness within.
Courtesy of Netflix
Lord Magus & the Order of Ancient Mysteries
The feature also included almost a minute of new clips from what is likely the first episode. In them, we see a dark ritual, conducted by The Order of Ancient Mysteries, and their leader, Roderick Burgess. Charles Dance has clearly found a niche in characters we love to hate. The death-obsessed ‘Lord Magus’ Roderick Burgess certainly qualifies. Much like the comic, it will be satisfying to watch him play an embittered, dark old man.
Courtesy of Netflix
Perhaps we also caught a glimpse of Roderick’s second-in-command, Ruthven Sykes. In the comic, Mister Steal-Yo-Woman Sykes takes Dream’s magical items from Burgess, and will perhaps meet a very messy end.
Roderick’s young son, Alex Burgess, appears in the scene as well, though only as a child. He’s witnessing his father’s ritual in preparation to inherit command of his father’s secret society.
Courtesy of Netflix
The Dreamlord and His power
When Dream is captured, it appears that the gates of his realm begin to give and we see a glowing light emanating from the cracks.
Courtesy of Netflix
Audiences also got a look at Dream’s items of office: the helm, the ruby, and the satchel of sand. Once the Lord of Dreams escapes from the Burgess estate, he’ll go to Hell and back to retrieve the items.
Courtesy of Netflix
And finally, the moment that gave us all goosebumps– we look into the eyes of Dream himself. Actor Tom Sturridge appeared in the TUDUM special to assure fans that he understood the importance of bringing the character to life, and based on this stare, we believe him.
Courtesy of Netflix
The team at Netflix is clearly committed to the source material. They’ve even released a clip featuring stills and panels side-by-side.
the first look at Netflix’s THE SANDMAN (@Netflix_Sandman) is almost a perfect shot-by-shot recreation of the first issue of @neilhimself‘s comic pic.twitter.com/8f6ouvtZLI
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) September 25, 2021
The Other Endless
Gaiman also confirms for us that the other Endless are introduced in a voiceover by the Corinthian. Death, Desire, Destiny, Despair, Dream, and the not-yet-cast Delirium and Destruction. The first look release was accompanied by posters, including first looks at Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) and Desire (Mason Alexander Park). Each image included their own items of office. Death has her ankh necklace and Desire and has their heart-shaped glass.
On his Tumblr, Neil Gaiman revealed that the 1st season will cover the stories in Preludes & Nocturnes, The Doll’s House, and some of Dream Country.
The giant ensemble cast includes Tom Sturridge as Dream, Charles Dance as Roderick Burgess, Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death, Mason Alexander Park (who is non-binary just like their character) as Desire, Donna Preston as Despair, Boyd Holbrook as the Corinthian, and Patton Oswalt as the voice of Matthew the Raven. Plus Vivienne Acheampong as Lucien, Sanjeev Bhaskar as Cain, Asim Chaudhry as Abel, Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine, Joely Richardson as Ethel Cripps, David Thewlis as John Dee, Kyo Ra as Rose Walker, Stephen Fry as Gilbert, Rose, Razane Jammal as Lyta Hall, and Sandra James Young as Unity Kincaid.
Sandman premieres on Netflix in 2022.
