The Sandman season 2 on Netflix introduces deities, fairies, demons of Hell, and other mythical beings in a dark fantasy following Morpheus, also known as Dream. Fans of the best-selling comic book series have been eagerly awaiting an adaptation for over 30 years. The critical reception of the show was positive, making it a hit for Netflix. However, the news of the series’ cancellation came as a disappointment to many viewers.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Allan Heinberg revealed that the decision to cancel the series was made years ago, as the focus was meant to be on Morpheus. Despite being a central character, Morpheus is not the main character in many comic book story arcs:
There are some volumes where he only appears in two scenes. There are numerous protagonists in Sandman, but the entire story is often perceived as his. It turned out that there was enough material for another season without omitting any favorite moments or scenes.
Prior to Netflix’s announcement, Vulture reported several sexual misconduct allegations against Neil Gaiman. This led to the writer being dropped by his comics’ publisher, Dark Horse. Disney canceled the adaptation of Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, while Amazon decided to conclude Good Omens with a single 90-minute episode, excluding Gaiman from further work on the series.
Speculations arose that Netflix canceled The Sandman due to the allegations against Gaiman. However, the showrunner dismissed these theories, explaining that the accusations coincided in time with the show’s cancellation.
The second season of The Sandman, split into three parts, has release dates as follows:
Volume 1 (Episodes 1–6) was released on Thursday, 3 July 2025, Volume 2 (Episodes 7–11) will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, 24 July 2024, and the final bonus episode will air on Thursday, 31 July 2025. The season will consist of 12 episodes in total.
The Sandman season 2 episode release schedule
Here are the release dates and titles for all the episodes in the second season:
Volume 1 (releases on Thursday, 3 July 2025)
- Chapter 1: “Season of Mists” – Focuses on a significant decision made by Lucifer and its consequences.
- Chapter 2: “The Ruler of Hell” – Likely references Lucifer Morningstar, portrayed by Gwendoline Christie.
- Chapter 3: “More Devils Than Vast Hell Can Hold” – Refers to the issue, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, from The Sandman: Dream Country.
- Chapter 4: “Brief Lives” – Centers on Delirium of the Endless and her search for her brother, Destruction.
- Chapter 5: “The Song of Orpheus” – Based on the special issue of the same name.
- Chapter 6: “Family Blood” – Likely alludes to avoiding family bloodshed.
Volume 2 (releases on Thursday, 24 July 2024)
- Chapter 7: “Time and Night” – Introduces the parents of the Endless, Time and Night.
- Chapter 8: “Fuel for the Fire” – Focuses on the Corinthian, based on Netflix’s episode titles.
- Chapter 9: “The Kindly Ones” – Adapted from the ninth collection of issues of The Sandman.
- Chapter 10: “Long Live the King” – References the phrase from The Wake.
- Chapter 11: “A Tale of Graceful Ends” – Named after a conversation between Morpheus and Shakespeare in The Wake.
Special Bonus Episode (releases on Thursday, 31 July 2025)
- Chapter 12: “Death: The High Cost of Living” – Spin-off limited series centered around Dream’s sister, Death.
What will the plot of The Sandman season 2 be?
The second season of The Sandman is expected to draw material from various volumes and single-issue stories. It will pick up a few weeks after the events of the first season, exploring storylines from Season of Mists, Dream Country, Brief Lives, The Kindly Ones, and The Sandman: Overture. Surprises and new elements will be woven into Dream’s narrative to keep fans of the comics engaged.
Expect to see more Lucifer, Destiny, Delirium, Thor, Loki, Odin, and delve into Morpheus and Nada’s romance in the upcoming season. The show promises to introduce enjoyable surprises and incorporate single-issue stories into Dream’s overarching narrative.
We managed to add a great deal of material, as we did in season 1, and a lot of really fun surprises for fans of the comics who know the entire story. We pulled from a lot of different sources. We took a lot of the single-issue stories and wove them into the fabric of Dream’s narrative.
Who is the cast of The Sandman season 2?
The second season of The Sandman introduces new characters and brings back familiar faces. The cast includes:
- Tom Sturridge as Dream (Sandman, Morpheus)
- Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death
- Mason Alexander Park as Desire
- Donna Preston as Despair
- Adrian Lester as Destiny
- Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium
- Barry Sloane as the Prodigal (Destruction)
Additionally, Ruairi O’Connor joins the cast as Orpheus, and other new additions include Odin, Thor, Loki, Nuala, Cluracan, Puck, Wanda, and the voice of Barnabas the dog. Returning characters from the first season include Lucifer Morningstar, the Corinthian, Johanna Constantine, and more.
Is there a trailer for The Sandman season 2?
Yes! Netflix has released the official trailer for the season, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect.
