The Sandman season two is officially out on Netflix, and with it, we FINALLY get to meet more of Dream’s unhinged siblings and the concepts they embody.
The Sandman universe, now under the DC Comics umbrella, is a deeply enriched realm initially created by disgraced writer Neil Gaiman. Season one was a resounding hit in 2022, receiving 88 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes as people lauded the performance of Dream actor Tom Sturridge. Now that the second and final instalment has been released on Netflix, we get to meet more members of Dream’s Endless family.
As showrunner Allan Heinberg put it to Tudum: “The Endless are the anthropomorphic personifications of the forces for which they’ve been named. They are the living, breathing, loving, spiteful, neurotic, and noble embodiments of destiny, death, dream, desire, despair, and delirium — in (mostly) relatable human form.”
So here they are: Meet The Sandman’s dysfunctional siblings.
1. Dream is obviously the main sibling we see in The Sandman
Credit: Netflix
You can’t talk about Netflix’s The Sandman without paying tribute to its namesake, Dream.
Dream, also known as The Sandman and Morpheus, is the lord of the realm we all visit when we’re asleep. In season one, we watched as Dream attempted to rebuild his realm after he was imprisoned by a mad magician for decades. It’s easier said than done, and before long, he’s playing games with Lucifer in hell, beefing with THEE Cain and Abel, and trying to stop one of his nightmares wreaking havoc on the waking world.
“At the start of Season 2, we find Dream in a place of rebuilding,” Tom Sturridge said. “He’s trying to bring his kingdom back to its former strength. And he’s called by his brother to a family meeting, the consequences of which are enormous.”
2. Destiny is super mysterious
Credit: Netflix
Set to be introduced in the newly released season two, Destiny is the eldest of the Endless, described as a “stoic, all-knowing, monklike figure” who carries the Book to Destiny everywhere he goes. The book’s pages contain details of everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen.
Describing his character, actor Adrian Lester said: “He was created first. As soon as the first creature or entity was brought into being, it had a destiny. So Destiny and Death are the oldest children of the Endless father. Destiny doesn’t interact with humanity as much as the others. He is much more of an entity. He is his job, and that’s what he represents.”
3. Death needs no introduction
Credit: Netflix
We already met the gender-bent version of Death in season one of The Sandman, and she might be one of the most gripping siblings of the family. Played by Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Death’s primary job is to shuttle the recently deceased to the afterlife. She’s calm, collected, and cool, despite being one of the most powerful creatures in existence.
4. Destruction has mad middle child energy
Credit: Netflix
Another new sibling in The Sandman season two, Destruction, is the living embodiment of change. Throughout his eternal life, he grew disillusioned with his role as the avatar for change and abandoned his realm to live a life outside of his divine purpose.
“Destruction is creation, and although he’s not a very good painter or artist — or a very good chef — he’s trying to better himself,” his actor, Barry Sloane, said. “He’s a beacon of change.”
5. Desire oozes, well, desire
Credit: Netflix
Desire became an instant hit when they were introduced in season one, partly due to the acting chops of Mason Alexander Park. Desire is not only about lust and love, but anything you could crave: Money, revenge, power, or even a fat cheeseburger from Maccies.
“When we last saw them, Desire promised to eventually get Dream to spill family blood. They have this intense obsession with messing with Dream, proving themselves to him, and it could lead to disastrous results,” Mason explained, further noting how season two would see Desire wreak havoc like never before.
6. We met Despair in season one
Credit: Netflix
Desire’s less-alluring twin, Despair, embodies the moment when all hope is gone – she’s a real negative Nancy. Her actress, Donna Preston, teased a more manipulative Despair in season two, and I just can’t wait to see the chaos unfold.
7. Delirium used to be called Delight
Credit: Netflix
Delirium is the youngest sibling of the Endless and a new player in the Sandman season two. She was once Delight, the personification of joy and happiness, before a mysterious force shattered her psyche. She’s now completely unhinged, with her body and her realm fluctuating constantly.
“Delirium, to me, is the essence of the unhinged or the mad,” her actress Esmé Creed-Miles described. “If Desire is the essence of wanting and Death is the essence of things ending, Delirium represents that unique demographic of our social fabric that sees things a little differently than everybody else. That’s really exciting.”
The Sandman season two is now streaming. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.
Featured image credit: Netflix
