After several failed attempts to adapt The Sandman, Netflix surprised us all by delivering a faithful take on Neil Gaiman's seminal comic series that seems to have been embraced by the majority of fans, while gaining quite a few new ones in the process.
We recently learned that the fantasy drama series had emerged as Netflix's top show in 89 countries after spending seven consecutive days in the first-place position on the Top 10 charts, and the DC Comics adaptation has now accomplished an even more impressive feat.
According to Parrot Analytics (via The Wrap) The Sandman conjured up "23.8 times the demand of the average series" following its Netflix debut two weeks ago. This figure was reached by compiling several engagement statistics, including consumer research, streaming, downloads and social media activity.
This means that The Sandman is currently the biggest streaming series worldwide.
The show's popularity and critical acclaim obviously bode well for a season 2 renewal, but nothing is set in stone just yet. When asked if an announcement was imminent, Gaiman Tweeted the following.
We can't imagine the show being axed, but you really never know with Netflix! Have you guys finished The Sandman yet? What about today's bonus episode? You can check out our review here.
"There is another world that waits for all of us when we close our eyes and sleep — a place called the Dreaming, where The Sandman, Master of Dreams (Tom Sturridge), gives shape to all of our deepest fears and fantasies. But when Dream is unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for a century, his absence sets off a series of events that will change both the dreaming and waking worlds forever. To restore order, Dream must journey across different worlds and timelines to mend the mistakes he’s made during his vast existence, revisiting old friends and foes, and meeting new entities — both cosmic and human — along the way."
The Sandman also stars Kirby Howell Baptiste as Death, Boyd Holbrook as The Corinthian, Donna Preston as Despair, Stephen Fry as Gilbert, Mason Alexander Park as Desire, Charles Dance as black magician Roderick Burgess, and Sanjeeve Bhaskar as Cain. Joely Richardson will play Ethel Cripps, while David Thewlis will take on the role of her son John Dee, aka the deranged Dr. Destiny.
The 10-episode first season of The Sandman adapts the first two arcs of the Vertigo comics series, "Preludes and Nocturnes" and "The Doll's House."