Numerous DC Comics heroes and villains are confirmed to play key roles in Neil Gaiman, is serving as an EP on the TV show to help guide Netflix’s interpretation of the story.
Following the announcement that the streaming platform would be bringing this celebrated story arc to life on the small screen, an impressive cast was put together, with many of the actors involved in the series portraying important, established characters from the comics. What to expect from most of these characters remains to be seen, but a few were finally previewed during Netflix’s TUDUM event, where the trailer for the show’s 11-episode first season was released.
Thus far, response to the trailer has been overwhelming positive, especially from the fans, who are regarding it as an accurate depiction of the world that Gaiman created for The Sandman. Here’s every character known to appear in the Netflix series, including the three that were highlighted in the trailer.
Dream
trailer. His character was officially revealed at the end, with Sturridge’s look as Dream being praised as a close match to his comic design.
Roderick Burgess
In the trailer, a villain played by Charles Dance can be seen performing the ritual that summons and imprisons Dream. This character is Roderick Burgess, the leader of a cult known as the Order. In The Sandman comic, Burgess accidentally drew Dream into the chamber instead of Death, but kept him trapped there, regardless of his mistake. Burgess, who hoped to attain immortality and ultimate power, planned to exploit his all-powerful prisoner.
The Corinthian
Only two Sandman characters appear in the flesh, but a third can be heard in a voice-over. The person who says, “You’re gonna need all the help you can get” is Boyd Holbrook’s The Corinthian, a nightmare that Dream created. After breaking loose into the world of humans on Earth, the Corinthian went on a killing spree and became a serial killer.
Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer
In Netflix's The Sandman show, Gwendoline Christie will play the ruler of Hell, Lucifer. Though this is the same character that Netflix’s Lucifer is centered on, it was decided for The Sandman to work with a different version of the DC Comics antihero, as opposed to the one Tom Ellis already plays. Despite Lucifer’s reputation as the Devil and the personification of all things evil, the incarnation of Lucifer created by Gaiman for DC Comics is a misunderstood, fallen angel who ultimately gives up his position as the ruler of Hell to Dream.
Doctor Destiny
David Thewlis, who previously played Ares in Wonder Woman, will play his second DC villain in The Sandman. Thewlis’ character in the series is Doctor Destiny, a.k.a. John Dee, who may be recognized by some viewers as the antagonist of the Arrowverse’s “Elseworlds” crossover event, portrayed by Jeremy Davies. The show’s version of John Dee will presumably be more in line with the comics, where the insane scientist used Morpheus’ stolen Dreamstone to change reality as he pleased, thus making him a major threat to the world.
Johanna Constantine
Doctor Who’s Jenna Coleman was cast as Lady Johanna Constantine, an important figure in The Sandman comic and an ancestor of the fan-favorite John Constantine. Like her descendant, Johanna was heavily involved in a number of supernatural adventures, including an encounter with Dream in the late 18th century. It’s been confirmed that Netflix’s The Sandman will somehow incorporate the original Johanna Constantine, who lived in the 1770s, as well as a modern-day take on the character. Both will be played by Coleman.
Cain & Abel
Cain and Abel, the Biblical sons of Adam and Eve, are major characters in Dream’s comic book story, and it appears that the same will be true in Netflix’s version. The Sandman’s Cain and Abel, who will be played by Sanjeev Bhaskar and Asim Chaudhry, respectively, are part of a never-ending cycle of deception and murder that began when Cain infamously became the first murderer in the history of mankind by killing his brother. In The Sandman, both live within the Dreaming.
Death & Desire
Aside from Dream, The Sandman will feature appearances from three other of the Endless, two of which are Death and Desire. Contrary to what her name might suggest, Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), is a pleasant and good-natured being, and a valuable source of advice for Dream. That's in contrast to Desire, who has a long-standing, antagonistic relationship with Dream. Since Dream can appear as any gender, the character will be portrayed by Mason Alexander Park, who is non-binary. Neither was in the trailer, but Netflix has released character posters for both characters.
Minor DC Comics Characters In Netflix’s The Sandman
In addition to the show’s key players, Justice Society of America’s Doctor Fate, but this may or may not be acknowledged in the show. Donna Preston’s Despair is a member of the Endless and is the one responsible for all the hopelessness that exists in the world. Her nature is reflected by her grotesque appearance.
Allies to Dream in The Sandman include Matthew, a supernatural raven voiced by Patton Oswalt, and Lucienne (Vivienne Acheampong), a gender-swapped take on Lucian, who acts as the guardian and librarian of the Dreaming while Morpheus is gone.