Based on Neil Gaiman's seminal comic series, Netflix's highly anticipated new series The Sandman has received generally positive reviews, with much of the praise focused on the casting, themes, special effects, and faithfulness to the original material.
The dark fantasy series establishes the titular Sandman as part of a family of six other personified ideas. This includes Destiny, Death, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium, who together make up the Seven Endless. Gaiman imbued each of these immortal beings with unique flaws, virtues, and personalities. While The Sandman is darker than other fantasy series, it features world-building that matches the best of them. Here's how the Endless would shape up if thrown into the most popular fantasy series of all time, the world of Harry Potter.
Spoiler warning for The Sandman!
Destiny - Ravenclaw
Destiny is the eldest sibling of the Seven Endless. He is all-knowing, wise, and more removed from human affairs than any of his other siblings. He appears robed and hooded, and is never without the heavy tome chained to his wrist, which he studies meticulously.
Wisdom, wit, and an affinity for learning are all virtues of the Ravenclaw house. The unsociable Destiny might not be best friends with any of his siblings, but he'd get along just fine with his fellow bookworms. While Destiny has yet to appear on-screen, he plays an important role in the "Seasons of Mist" storyline, so he is guaranteed to make it into Season 2. Fans will be eager to see who is cast as Dream's cryptic older brother.
Death - Hufflepuff
Dream's big sister is his favorite sibling. The Endless that is tasked with arguably the hardest job, Death does not let her heavy workload get to her. As with any Hufflepuff, Death is loyal, hardworking, and, most importantly, fair. As evidenced in "The Sound of Her Wings," she possesses a strong moral code, helping all who need her and providing a friendly face for those moving on from this world.
Though her appearance in Season 1 is brief, she packs a big punch. Death has no shortage of great quotes in The Sandman, which is saying something for such a quotable show. One of her best is: "I've got a job to do and I do it." which is a quote spoken like a true no-nonsense Hufflepuff.
Dream - Slytherin
The protagonist's pride, cunning, and lust for revenge do not make it easy to love him. Yet Dream, or Morpheus, is also a natural leader who possesses some of Slytherin House's best virtues. He is determined, ambitious, resourceful, and clever, as seen with his creative solutions to the many problems he faces throughout Season 1.
More like his sibling Desire than either would care to it, Morpheus commits a number of villainous acts throughout the series. Although his punishments and reactions can be out of line, there is almost always a reason for his severe behavior, such as protecting the Dreaming or saving the world. He grows immensely in Season 1, and will only evolve more as the series (hopefully) continues.
Destruction - Gryffindor
Referred to simply as "the prodigal" in Season 1, Dream's younger brother Destruction is the only member of the family to have abandoned his duties. While this might not seem exceptionally brave or virtuous on the surface, once Gaiman explains his background, it is easy to sort Destruction into Gryffindor.
Destruction's decision to abandon his duties was not one he made lightly. It might have been easier to stay, but he chose the harder, braver route, which is very Gryffindor. A chivalrous peacekeeper, Destruction is the only sibling to take a vested interest in Delirium, often acting as her protector. He will likely not appear in Season 2, but a Season 3 or 4 appearance will be well worth the wait.
Desire - Slytherin
Dream's sibling Desire possesses some of the most obvious Slytherin traits, as in they are cunning, ambitious, and clever. Desire has the keen ability to see truth where others can't and does not hesitate to point out when their siblings, especially Morpheus, are lying to themselves or hiding from reality.
While their leadership skills are not as strong as Dream's, Desire's twin Despair follows them in most things. Though similar to Dream in some aspects, they are often crueler and more malicious than their older brother. And Desire's comic book counterpart is even nastier than their television portrayal, particularly concerning their role in "The Doll's House" storyline.
Despair - Hufflepuff
Though she is only seen in Season 1 in the company of her flamboyant twin Desire, who understandably overshadows her, Despair has a strong moral code. She is loyal, patient, and modest, all key attributes of Hufflepuff House. When not being cowed by her twin, Despair shows an uncanny ability to get to the heart of matters.
While Helga Hufflepuff is known for saying she would take "all the rest," Hufflepuffs are not insignificant leftovers. They are far more grounded than of the flashier houses, who are defined by their distinct traits. Like her older sister Death, Despair frequently proves she is more down-to-earth and relatable than the imperious Destiny, prideful Dream, flamboyant Desire, and petulant Delirium.
Delirium - Ravenclaw
The youngest of the Endless is Delirium, formerly Delight. Like noted Ravenclaw Luna Lovegood, who is misunderstood and deemed "loony" by most of her peers, Delirium is constantly underestimated by her older siblings. When she is able to communicate effectively, it is clear in the comics Delirium possesses wisdom equal to Destiny's.
Though Delirium does not make an appearance in Season 1, she is crucial to several storylines later on in the series. While fans already have burning questions for Season 2, the possibility of meeting more of Dream's siblings is more than a little enticing. The intelligent, ambiguous, and unstable Delirium will likely turn into a fan favorite.