Netflix’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman to end after its second series

Netflix fantasy drama The Sandman will end with its second series, showrunner Allan Heinberg has announced.

It comes after author Neil Gaiman, who wrote the comics that inspired the show, denied allegations made against him of sexual assault.

The first series of the programme, featuring Tom Sturridge as protagonist Dream, was released in 2022.

A post on the show’s social media pages on Friday said: “The Sandman series has always been focused exclusively on Dream’s story, and back in 2022, when we looked at the remaining Dream material from the comics, we knew we only had enough story for one more season.

“We are extremely grateful to Netflix for bringing the team all back together and giving us the time and resources to make a faithful adaptation in a way that we hope will surprise and delight the comics’ loyal readers as well as fans of our show – Allan Heinberg, Showrunner.”

The post added: “Dream’s journey has all been building to this. The story of The Sandman comes to its epic conclusion in 2025, only on Netflix.”

In a blog post earlier this month, Gaiman said he had read allegations about himself with “horror and dismay”, after claims made by eight women of abuse by the writer in an article published by New York Magazine.

He said:  “I’ve stayed quiet until now, both out of respect for the people who were sharing their stories and out of a desire not to draw even more attention to a lot of misinformation.”

“I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever,” he added.

It comes after five women, four of whom featured in the New York Magazine article, made allegations about him in a Tortoise Media podcast series published in summer 2024.

On Saturday, Dark Horse Comics, a publisher of Gaiman’s graphic novels and comic books, said it was no longer releasing his work.

“Confirming that the Anansi Boys comic series and collected volume have been cancelled,” the company said in a statement.

A stage adaptation of Gaiman’s book Coraline has also been scrapped.

A police report was made in New Zealand accusing Gaiman of sexual assault in January 2023.

The investigation was later dropped.