What’s Going On With The Sandman?

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Starting from 2024, several women alleged that author Neil Gaiman engaged in non-consensual sexual behavior. In a feature story for New York, these women detailed a pattern of sexual misconduct, manipulation, and non-consensual BDSM experiences. Following these accusations, many of Gaiman’s film and television projects were postponed. A Coraline musical was canceled, the final season of Good Omens was shortened to a 90-minute episode, and Disney halted work on an adaptation of The Graveyard Book. However, Netflix’s The Sandman will still release its final season in two parts this July. Some storylines in season two, which may cause concern, were adapted for television years ago but share chilling similarities with the allegations against Gaiman. Here are responses to all your questions about The Sandman, including Gaiman’s role in season two and any statements made by Netflix regarding this matter.

What has Neil Gaiman been accused of?

Eight individuals have shared accounts of abusive, manipulative, or inappropriate interactions with author Neil Gaiman. These encounters, while appearing like consensual BDSM practices, lacked the safety measures and open communication that are fundamental to this community. One accuser also implicated Gaiman’s ex-wife, Amanda Palmer. Initially reported on a Tortoise Media podcast in July 2024, Scarlett Pavlovich accused both Gaiman and Palmer of human trafficking. Pavlovich claims that Palmer initially introduced her as their live-in nanny to Gaiman, and alleges that he raped her repeatedly, with Palmer being aware of this possibility. In a lawsuit, Pavlovich alleges that Gaiman aimed to coerce sexual favors and child care from her by making her believe that refusing would result in severe harm or confinement.

How did Netflix respond?

Netflix has not responded specifically to the accusations against Gaiman, but they have confirmed that season two of “The Sandman” will be its last. Showrunner Allan Heinberg explained the choice as a creative one, stating that in 2022, when they examined the remaining Dream material from the comics, they realized there was enough story for only one more season. Previously, Netflix had canceled the spinoff series “The Dead Boy Detectives” during the summer of 2024.

So The Sandman was always supposed to be just two seasons?

In a different interview, the show’s co-creator David S. Goyer reaffirmed this, stating that the final episode was decided over two years ago, and they had numerous conversations with Netflix about it. They are fond of the books, but one issue they had with some storylines is that Dream isn’t featured extensively enough in them.

Initially, when “The Sandman” was first released, it appeared monthly. Later, the paperback editions were compiled into ten volumes. The initial season of “The Sandman” encompassed the first two books – “Preludes & Nocturnes” and “The Doll’s House”, along with two tales from “Dream Country”, which were unexpectedly published as an additional episode. As Goyer explained, “We ended up telling our story at a faster pace than we had anticipated.

What is the release schedule for The Sandman season two?

In July, twelve episodes set to air on Netflix will delve into the material from the last seven and a half books, concluding with “The Wake,” as stated by Goyer. This means a substantial amount of storyline is packed into just 12 episodes (plus one extra), which might seem quite extensive given that some significant characters have yet to make their appearance.

Maybe there will be more surprise bonus episodes?

Indeed, there were numerous spin-offs and sequels to the original “The Sandman” comic book series.

However, the bonus episode of the initial season in “The Sandman” presents one of its most somber chapters, which carries a completely different interpretation following Neil Gaiman’s accusers speaking up. The storyline titled “Calliope” revolves around a muse imprisoned by an author who labels himself as a feminist. In this work, he forces her for sexual acts to stimulate his inspiration towards understanding the female perspective. Now, the contrast between the champion of women’s rights depicted in bookstores and the alleged perpetrator at home takes on a profoundly new significance.

What has Gaiman said about the allegations against him?

As a movie enthusiast putting things in my own words, let me share this: Neil Gaiman has firmly dismissed any accusations of sexual misconduct, instead describing these interactions as consensual. Following the New York article’s release, he published a statement on his website that reads: “I have never been involved in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone, at any point in my life.

He stated that some of the terrible tales currently being shared are entirely fabricated, while others have been significantly altered from the truth, making them unrecognizable from reality. He admitted he would accept accountability for any errors he may have committed. In March 2025, Gaiman petitioned the court to dismiss Pavlovich’s lawsuit against him. Shortly after that, he filed a lawsuit against another accuser, Caroline Wallner, alleging she breached her confidentiality agreement by talking to the media.

How involved was Gaiman in season two, and what have his collaborators said about the allegations?

According to an interview on Variety, Goyer mentioned that Gaiman had a lesser role in the second season of The Sandman. In his own words, “I personally hadn’t seen any of this [the scripts or production] during that time.” Even when initial accusations surfaced, they were only three weeks away from wrapping up filming for season two, so Neil Gaiman wasn’t as deeply involved in season two as he was in the first one.

Goyer and the Netflix team shared a common sentiment, recognizing the importance of completing the show given everyone’s dedication during its production. “Clearly, it’s a complex situation,” he said. “I have great admiration for women who come forward in such instances.” He continued, “Netflix, at the time, felt, ‘We’ve invested two years into creating this piece. There are numerous actors, writers, and directors involved, whose efforts might not be fully compensated if we didn’t air it.’ So, we decided to let the work stand on its own merits. But I can’t deny that it was an unusual situation.

Tori Amos, who was close friends with Gaiman and played a role in creating the character Delirium, expressed her shock upon hearing the allegations. “If these accusations are valid,” she stated in an interview with The Guardian, “that’s not the Neil I knew, nor the friend I ever wanted to know.” She continued, “It’s a heartbreaking sorrow. I never witnessed that side of Neil. Neither did my team. And my team has seen a lot.

Okay, I still want to watch. What’s the release schedule?

Discussing the ongoing argument between art and artist: here’s a glimpse at the episode plan for the concluding 12 parts of the The Sandman series, available on Netflix.

The first six episodes are set to arrive in two installments. You can watch them starting from July 3. The second volume, which consists of episodes seven through eleven, is scheduled for release on July 24. On July 31, an extra episode called “The High Cost of Living: Death” will become available.

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2025-07-01 21:54