Picture: Netflix
The Sandman season 2 has landed on Netflix. An ambitious adaptation of the seminal comics, the show condenses the source material into two seasons. Naturally, it deviates from the comics numerous times, but just exactly how different is it?
Back when The Sandman was being made, the idea was to adapt everything from the comics. Season 1 set up numerous story arcs, such as A Game of You and Overture. There could be no doubting the team’s huge ambition for the series. But when the show was renewed, Netflix made it clear that the show would have to wrap in one more season. Given the breadth of the Sandman saga, it was nigh impossible to adapt everything in 12 episodes, but showrunner Allan Heinberg has delivered something pretty special given the circumstances.
Season 1 covered the first two volumes of the comics, Preludes & Nocturnes and The Doll’s House. It also adapted a little of the third volume, Dream Country. Going into season 2, there were seven more core volumes worth of story to cover. However, with Netflix only providing enough budget for one more season, the writers focused on Volume 4, “Season of Mists,” Volume 7, “Brief Lives,” Volume 9, “The Kindly Ones,” and Volume 10, “The Wake.” It also has a couple of stories from other volumes sprinkled throughout the plot, such as tales like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Thermidor. These extra stories are weaved into the plot mainly through flashbacks.
As a direct result of the condensed plot, there were glaring pacing issues, but for the most part it worked out pretty well. Side stories were seamlessly interwoven through characters with expanded plot lines, such as Nuala (Ann Skelly), who initiates the A Midsummer Night’s Dream arc.
Cr. Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025
Even within the storylines involved, there were a few notable omissions. For instance, the character of Bast is not involved in the banquet Dream holds for visiting mythological figures. In this episode, we’re also introduced to Taramis (Phoebe Nicholls), the head chef of The Dreaming who’s very much on the sidelines in the comics.
In addition, Dream and Nada’s (Umulisa Gahiga) storyline is more integral to the plot. Dream’s remorse over condemning Nada to Hell is more profound, and creeps up more often in the plot. For instance, in Brief Lives, he mopes over the loss of Nada; whereas in the comics, he broods over Thessaly, who is completely absent from the show.
The Sandman. (L to R) Tom Sturridge as Dream, Umulisa Gahiga as Nada in episode 201 of The Sandman. Cr. Ed Miller/Netflix © 2025
One of the most glaring differences is the change in Wanda’s (Indya Moore) character. This one is an example of a change for the better. Wanda is a key character in the A Game of You storyline. However, with that arc being dropped, the show instead replaces the character of Ruby DeLongue with Wanda — now a chauffeur who escorts Dream and Delirium around. Wanda is one of the most popular characters from the comics. The writers of the show expertly managed to incorporate the character into a new role, while retaining the elements that made the comic book version of Wanda so beloved.
I was particularly fond of the expanded arc of Hob Gadling (Ferdinand Kingsley). In the comics, Hob shows up periodically. Given that the show could not cover all of his adventures (such as Hob’s Leviathan), it still has Hob show up every now and again. He’s at Dream’s funeral, and also appears sporadically throughout the season.
Volume 2, particularly, is where a lot of major changes occur. We do get a tiny slice of Overture, in which Morpheus visits his parents, Night and Time. Although the storyline isn’t completely covered, it’s enough to satisfy fans, especially considering the season’s condensed nature.
One excellent addition was the duo of Johanna Constantine (Jenna Coleman) and the ‘new’ Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook). After recreating the Corinthian, Dream sends them to the Waking World together, tasked with tracking down Daniel. As a duo, these two are incredibly entertaining, and they even end up getting romantically involved.
Then there’s Puck (Jack Gleeson) and Loki (Freddie Fox), both of whom are very much romantically involved. In the comics, they work together to bring about Dream’s downfall, and the show massively expands on this. Both Puck and Loki are two hugely standout characters in Volume 2.
The Sandman. (L to R) Clive Russell as Odin, Freddie Fox as Loki in episode 202 of The Sandman. Cr. Courtesy Of Netflix © 2025
There are countless small changes; we’d be here all day to cover every last detail. That said, some notable ones include the absence of red flowers when Dream kills his son Orpheus; the flowers are very symbolic in the comic. Moreover, on a slightly more comical note, Lucifer retires to a dull, gloomy beach after retiring, opposed to the beach with an exquisite sunset in the comics. Plus, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the performance takes place inside a tent rather than out in a field. These changes are purely aesthetic, with no major baring on the plot.
A deleted scene has an enormous change from the comics!
One change that was filmed would’ve brought to light one of the biggest mysteries in the comics. In a scene that was ultimately deleted, we’re shown Delight’s transformation into Delirium. Her change into Delirium has remained a perpetual secret in the comic. But the show actually filmed it.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, star Barry Sloane shared that his character, Destruction, shared a scene with Delirium in which they were both on top of a volcano. The scene covered the moment Delight turned into Delirium.
“There was also a lovely scene that we shot, which didn’t actually make the episode,” he said. “She explains she’s changing and she’s afraid. He explains why change is important and inevitable and it’s actually a good thing…And he’s saying this as a village is killed by a volcano.”
If this scene were included in the final cut, it would’ve undoubtedly been the biggest change from the comic to the show. Ultimately, it was cut. However, who knows? Perhaps one day Netflix will release it to the public.
The Sandman season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
