Meet the cast of The Sandman season 2
Tom Sturridge returns as the Dream Lord, alongside plenty of new faces.
The Dream Lord is returning to us as The Sandman season 2 finally arrives on Netflix.
Tom Sturridge reprises his role as Morpheus, the personification of dreams, in the new instalment based on the comic book series, and we'll meet plenty of new characters along the way - including new members of his Endless family.
The Netflix fantasy show is based on a comic book series by well-known fantasy author Neil Gaiman, who has been accused of sexual assault, which he strongly denies.
A total of nine women have spoken out against the writer, with their accusations being detailed in a Vulture article published in January 2025, and in a Tortoise Media podcast released in July 2024.
Allegations included claims that Gaiman engaged them in "rough" sex and BDSM without their consent. The novelist has firmly denied any non-consensual or illegal conduct in a statement.
He said: "As I read through this latest collection of accounts, there are moments I half-recognise and moments I don't, descriptions of things that happened sitting beside things that emphatically did not happen.
"I'm far from a perfect person, but I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever."
Below, you can find the full cast of the Netflix fantasy series.
The Sandman season 2 cast
The full cast of The Sandman season 2 is below.
- Tom Sturridge as Morpheus/Dream of the Endless
- Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne
- Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer
- Patton Oswalt as the voice of Matthew the Raven
- Jenna Coleman as Johanna Constantine
- Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death
- Mason Alexander Park as Desire
- Donna Preston as Despair
- Adrian Lester as Destiny
- Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium
- Barry Sloane as Destruction
- Ruairi O'Connor as Orpheus
- Freddie Fox as Loki
- Clive Russell as Odin
- Laurence O'Fuarain as Thor
- Ann Skelly as Nuala
- Douglas Booth as Cluracan
- Jack Gleeson as Puck
- Indya Moore as Wanda
- Steve Coogan as the voice of Barnabas
- Sanjeev Bhaskar as Cain
- Asim Chaudhry as Abel
- Mark Hamill as the voice of Mervyn Pumpkinhead
- Ferdinand Kingsley as Hob Gadling
- Umulisa Gahiga as Queen Nada
- Stephen Fry as Gilbert
Further information is available on the cast below.
Tom Sturridge plays Dream/Morpheus
Who is Dream? Dream is one of several endless beings who exist in service to the human race. His particular domain is that of dreams and nightmares, conjuring fantasies both wondrous and terrifying that humans experience when they fall asleep.
Season 2 will pick up with Dream after he restored his palace and vows to leave the past behind. That doesn't exactly go to plan, however.
What else has Tom Sturridge been in? Sturridge has earned high praise for his work in the theatre, earning nominations at both the Tony and Olivier Awards. On screen, he is known for films The Boat That Rocked, Journey's End and Velvet Buzzsaw, while he also portrayed Henry VI in period drama The Hollow Crown.
Jenna Coleman plays Johanna Constantine
Who is Johanna Constantine? Constantine is a modern-day occult detective, known for investigating all manner of paranormal disturbances from hauntings to exorcisms. She is based on the DC Comics character John Constantine, who has previously been portrayed in live action by Keanu Reeves and Matt Ryan.
What else has Jenna Coleman been in? Coleman is known for Doctor Who, where she played companion Clara Oswald opposite Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi. She went on to portray Queen Victoria in ITV's historical drama about the monarch's younger years and Marie-Andrée Leclerc in BBC crime drama The Serpent. She is also known for romantic drama film Me Before You and Captain America: The First Avenger, where she can be seen briefly on date with Bucky Barnes.
Mason Alexander Park plays Desire
Who is Desire? Desire is another of Dream's siblings, who is a twin of Despair. Their relationship with Dream is fraught with tension, viewing their older brother as a rival.
What else has Mason Alexander Park been in? Park became established through theatre work but has recently been making moves towards the screen, portraying Gren in Netflix's live-action Cowboy Bebop.
Kirby Howell-Baptiste plays Death
Who is Death? Death is Dream's older sister and a wise soul who offers sage advice. She is charged with transporting humans from life into death, approaching them kindly to help settle their fears about what comes next.
What else has Kirby Howell-Baptiste been in? Howell-Baptiste is best known for her role as scientist Simone Garnett on fantasy sitcom The Good Place. She reunited with star Kristen Bell for the belated fourth season of Veronica Mars, while she is also known for film roles in A Dog's Purpose and Disney's Cruella.
Adrian Lester plays Destiny
Who is Destiny? Destiny is Dream's no-nonsense older brother.
What else has Adrian Lester been in? Lester will be recognisable to viewers from roles in Hustle, Riviera, Renegade Nell, Staged and more.
Esmé Creed-Miles plays Delirium
Who is Delirium? Delirium is Dream's slightly chaotic but well-meaning younger sister.
What else has Esmé Creed-Miles been in? Creed-Miles starred as the titular character in Hanna and in Paramount+'s The Doll Factory.
Barry Sloane plays Destruction/The Prodigal
Who is Destruction/The Prodigal? Destruction is Dream's older brother, who abandoned the family 300 years ago.
What else has Barry Sloane been in? Sloane has had roles in TV shows including The Bay, Litvinenko, Shameless and The Whispers. He's also set to join the cast of House of the Dragon season 3.
Ruairi O'Connor as Orpheus
Who is Orpheus? Orpheus is the son of Dream and Calliope. He's a romantic and an idealistic - until one fateful day changes his life forever.
What else has Ruairi O’Connor been in? O'Connor is known for TV series including The Spanish Princess and The Morning Show, and films including The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
Gwendoline Christie plays Lucifer Morningstar
Who is Lucifer Morningstar? Lucifer is the Lord of Hell, who oversees the punishment of sinners and has an army of demons at their disposal. Dream has no choice but to enter their dangerous kingdom while attempting to restore his weakened powers.
What else has Gwendoline Christie been in? Christie broke out in the cast of fantasy drama Game of Thrones, where she played noble warrior Brienne of Tarth. She was later cast in the Star Wars sequel trilogy as First Order operative Captain Phasma, while other film projects include The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 and The Personal History of David Copperfield. Christie also starred opposite Nicole Kidman in gritty drama Top of the Lake: China Girl.
Vivienne Acheampong plays Lucienne
Who is Lucienne? Lucienne is Dream's most-trusted adviser and the resident librarian of the Dreaming.
What else has Vivienne Acheampong been in? Previously, Acheampong has appeared in sketch comedy Famalam and Netflix's The One, while she also had a small role in Robert Zemeckis's recent remake of The Witches.
Freddie Fox plays Loki
Who is Loki? Loki is the God of Chaos and a shapeshifter.
What else has Freddie Fox been in? Fox is known for roles including James 'Spider' Webb in Slow Horses, King Hugo in The Great, Ser Gawayne Hightower in House of the Dragon, and his guest appearance as Kid in Doctor Who episode The Interstellar Song Contest.
Clive Russell plays Odin
Who is Odin? Odin is the father of Thor, and blood brother of Loki.
What else has Clive Russell been in? Most recently, Russell took on the role of Jamie Lingard in Netflix's Dept. Q. He's also been seen in the likes of Casualty and Mrs Sidhu Investigates, and will appear as Crocus in season 3 of Netflix's One Piece adaptation.
Laurence O'Fuarain plays Thor
Who is Thor? Thor is the Storm God, who's driven by his appetites for food, drink and sex.
What else has Laurence O'Fuarain been in? O'Fuarain has appeared in Game of Thrones, The Witcher: Blood Origin, Vikings and The Gentleman.
Ann Skelly plays Nuala and Douglas Booth plays Cluracan
Who are Nuala and Cluracan? The pair are brother and sister - opposite in every way - representing the land of Faerie as royal emissaries.
What else has Ann Skelly been in? She's taken on roles in The Nevers, Vikings and Kissing Candice.
What else has Douglas Booth been in? Booth is known for roles in films including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Dirt and Jupiter Ascending, as well as series like That Dirty Black Bag.
Jack Gleeson plays Puck
Who is Puck? Puck is a mischievous hobgoblin who serves as jester to King Auberon of Faerie.
What else has Jack Gleeson been in? Gleeson is best known for his role as Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones.
Indya Moore plays Wanda
Who is Wanda? Wanda is a driver for an exclusive travel firm and serves as a crucial guide for Dream and Delirium.
What else has Indya Moore been in? She's best known for her role as Angel Evangelista in Pose.
Steve Coogan as the voice of Barnabas
Who is Barnabas? Barnabas is Destruction's dog and loyal friend.
What else has Steve Coogan been in? Coogan is best known for his comedy role of Alan Partridge.
Stephen Fry plays Gilbert
Who is Gilbert? Gilbert is a mysterious man who lives in a house shared with several other eccentric personalities.
What else has Stephen Fry been in? Fry is one of the biggest names in British comedy, beginning his career as part of double act Fry & Laurie, which led to roles in sitcoms Jeeves and Wooster and Blackadder.
His film projects include Gosford Park, V for Vendetta, Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Homes: A Game of Shadows and The Hobbit trilogy. Most recently, he has appeared in television dramas It's A Sin and The Dropout, while he has a small voice role in Heartstopper as Headmaster Barnes.
Sanjeev Bhaskar plays Cain
Who is Cain? Inspired by the Biblical figure, Cain is the first murderer who now lives in the realm of the Dreaming.
What else has Sanjeev Bhaskar been in? Bhaskar currently stars in ITV's hit crime drama Unforgotten, which formerly co-starred Nicola Walker. Previously, he had been best known for his comedy work, including Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42.
Asim Chaudhry plays Abel
Who is Abel? Inspired by the Biblical figure, Abel was the first ever victim who now lives with his brother in the Dreaming.
What else has Asim Chaudhry been in? Chaudhry broke out in the cast of acclaimed BBC sitcom People Just Do Nothing, where he earned two BAFTA nominations for his portrayal of aspiring entrepreneur Chabuddy G. Since then, he has had further acting roles in Greed and The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, as well as competing on Greg Davies'a challenge show Taskmaster.
Donna Preston plays Despair
Who is Despair? Despair is the twin of Desire.
What else has Donna Preston been in? Preston recently appeared in Catherine Tate's prison comedy Hard Cell and has also appeared in skits for Michael McIntyre's Big Show. She played Bev in Inside No. 9 season 6's Hurry Up and Wait.
Patton Oswalt plays Matthew the Raven
Who is Matthew? Matthew was once a human being, but became a raven after death. In his current form, he can act as a spy and advisor to Dream.
What else has Patton Oswalt been in? Oswalt is an unashamed comic book super-fan who has appeared in many genre projects, including Marvel's Agents of SHIELD, Mystery Science Theatre 3000, The Boys, MODOK and, most recently, Eternals, where he voiced Pip the Troll (companion to Harry Styles's Starfox).
You may also recognise his dulcet tones from Pixar's acclaimed 2007 hit Ratatouille, where he voiced Remy. While best known for his comedy work, Oswalt has also taken dramatic roles, working with Diablo Cody on Young Adult and United States of Tara.
Mark Hamill plays Merv Pumpkinhead
Who is Merv Pumpkinhead? The peculiar Merv Pumpkinhead is one of many residents of the Dreaming.
What else has Mark Hamill been in? Of course, Hamill is best known for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars saga. However, he has also earned much acclaim for his voice work, with his most memorable role being that of DC villain The Joker across various Batman animated projects and video games.
The Sandman is available to stream on Netflix now.
Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to find out what's on tonight.
Authors
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
