Netflix’s The Sandman season 2 will mark the end of the series, but showrunner Allan Heinberg debunks that the show is coming to a close as a result of the allegations made against co-creator Neil Gaiman. Based on the best-selling comic book series created by Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg, the adaptation was released on Netflix in 2022. After the series premiered, Gaiman was accused of alleged sexual assault by numerous women. Weeks after a detailed report was released, Netflix announced The Sandman season 2 would be the last.
In an interview with EW, Heinberg reveals that the decision to end the series with season 2 was made three years ago. Referring to it as “unfortunate timing, for sure,” he details that the series was meant to focus on Dream as the main character. The challenge in building a story around Dream was how little he was featured in many of The Sandman story arcs. In order to streamline Dream’s story, it was decided that the adaptation would only last for two seasons. Check out his full explanation below:
It was a decision we made three years ago. There are some volumes where he just appears in two scenes. There’s so many protagonists in Sandman, but you think of the whole thing as his story. It turned out to be about another season’s worth of story, without leaving out anybody’s favorite moments or scenes.
I can’t say that it affected our process, which is scheduled years in advance. These are your delivery dates and you just keep going. So it’s been in the periphery of my experience and the background of my experience, but it hasn’t been part of the world of the making of the show, if that makes sense. Every production is its own little island. Even though we were in London, my experience was very limited to the making of the show, even in my personal life, which I did not have for the last six years.
What This Means For The Sandman
Gaiman’s Allegations Will Hang Over Season 2
The Sandman season 2 will be burdened by the allegations against Gaiman, even if the decision to end the series came years before. The timing of the announcement happened so soon after the report of Gaiman’s abuse that the two were intrinsically linked. The natural assumption at the time was that the series was cancelled as a result of the accusations.
Even if Gaiman has a lesser role in season 2, the allegations will hang over the upcoming season, despite the predetermined plan to end the show.
Gaiman was both an executive producer and writer on season 1, so his presence was felt in the premiere outing. The Sandman is one of Gaiman’s most celebrated works, and it is impossible to think of the comic book or TV series without connecting it to his name. Even if Gaiman has a lesser role in season 2, the allegations will hang over the upcoming season, despite the predetermined plan to end the show. Even with the knowledge that the majority of Netflix shows only last a few seasons, it will still negatively impact the series.
Our Take On The Sandman Season 2 Ending The Show
Other Gaiman Adaptations Were Changed Due To The Allegations
Although The Sandman had a predetermined ending, other adaptations were altered as a result of the accusations. Good Omens season 3 will now be a single feature-length episode instead of a traditional season, and the adaptation of Anansi Boys will likely never be released, despite filming being completed. While The Sandman will ultimately benefit from having their story ending planned before the allegations came to light, it is an unfortunate end for the cast and crew who worked on the show.
Source: EW
The Sandman
7/10
- Release Date
-
2022 – 2025-00-00
- Network
-
Netflix
- Showrunner
-
Allan Heinberg
- Directors
-
Louise Hooper, Andrés Baiz, Hisko Hulsing, Mike Barker, Coralie Fargeat
-
Tom Sturridge
Morpheus / Dream
-
Boyd Holbrook
The Corinthian