The Sandman’s time isn’t over yet as Netflix orders more episodes of its hit fantasy show, adapted from Neil Gaiman’s groundbreaking DC Comics series. The streamer announced this on Wednesday evening.
Netflix calls the upcoming episode “a continuation of the ‘The Sandman’ world” that will be expanded in the next few episodes. Episode count and story details are still under wraps.
“Millions and millions of people have welcomed, watched and loved ‘The Sandman’ on Netflix, from established Sandman fans to people who were just curious and then became obsessed with the Lord of Dreams, his family and their antics,” he told Gaiman in a statement. “I’m incredibly excited to say that Allan Heinberg, David Goyer and I will be bringing more stories from ‘The Sandman’ to life by collaborating with Netflix and Warner Bros. There are some amazing stories waiting for Morpheus and the rest of them (not to mention more members of the Endless Family to meet). No one will be happier about this than the Sandman cast and crew: they are the biggest Sandman fans out there. And now it’s time to get back to work. After all, a family dinner is coming up. And Lucifer is waiting for Morpheus to return to Hell…”
The Twitter account The Sandman also confirmed the news on Wednesday.
Yes, it’s true: The Sandman is returning to Netflix
Says @neilhimself: “There are some amazing stories waiting for Morpheus and the others… Now it’s time to get back to work. After all, a family dinner is coming up. And Lucifer is waiting for Morpheus to return to Hell.” pic.twitter.com/WKiWp7IDkk
— The Sandman (@Netflix_Sandman) November 3, 2022
“The Sandman” — starring Tom Sturridge as the titular God of Dreams, along with Vivienne Acheampong, Patton Oswalt, Gwendoline Christie, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Kyo Ra, Boyd Holbrook, Jenna Coleman and Mason Alexander — was an instant hit for most of the time it debuted its first season on Netflix on August 5, stayed on the streamer’s global top 10 list for seven weeks after its premiere, dethroning fellow streamer Mega Smash “Stranger Things” from Nielsen’s #1 streaming spot. A surprise additional episode of “The Sandman” was later released on August 19, further increasing the popularity of the series.
Still, Gaiman had previously expressed concern about the idea of a second season, saying the show’s high viewership ratings “may not be enough” for Netflix to warrant more episodes. “‘Sandman’ is a really expensive show,” wrote the author.
In her positive review of season one, Variety chief critic Caroline Framke wrote, “The show is working hard to differentiate itself from Netflix’s attempts to revitalize beloved traits that instead flattened it. Most notably, the season combines its substance with a parsimonious approach and intelligent narrative structure.”
The Sandman is produced by Warner Bros. Television for Netflix.