The Sandman

“We Missed What We Were Aiming For”: Neil Gaiman On Despair’s Portrayal in The Sandman

Neil Gaiman admits that Netflix’s The Sandman didn’t portray Despair correctly, saying that future episodes will show her in a different light.

Neil Gaiman admits that Despair’s portrayal in Netflix’s The Sandman missed the mark. Based on Gaiman’s comic series of the same name, The Sandman was adapted into a Netflix television series in August 2022. The series was praised by critics and fans alike, and quickly became one of Netflix’s Top 10 titles for several weeks after its release, currently holding the title of eighth most-watching English language series on Netflix for 2022. The Sandman was renewed for new episodes in November 2022, with the episodes currently in pre-production.

In a post to his Tumblr, Gaiman has addressed Despair’s portrayal in the Netflix show. Responding to a fan question who brought up that Despair is portrayed as a plus-sized woman who is seen as “frumpy, depressed and not really loved by anyone,” Gaiman admits that the series “missed what we were aiming for in Sandman Se ason 1.” Gaiman also says that as Despair didn’t appear in the comics, there wasn’t a one-to-one blueprint for them to use for her character, but that future appearances of Despair in The Sandman will be handled differently. Read Gaiman’s full comment below:

Mostly, what I hope is that the next time you see Despair on the screen you won’t think. of her as frumpy, depressed and unloved. She isn’t in the comics, and I think we missed what we were aiming for in Sandman Season 1.

Everything We Know About New The Sandman Episodes

Gaiman was also asked about more plus-sized representation in The Sandman, to which Gaiman responded that yes, there will be more plus-sized actors cast in the future. He also says that Donna Preston, who played Despair in The Sandman, will be appearing in Good Omens se ason 2 as Mrs. Sandwich, “a part [which is] a long way from Despair.” Gaiman’s comment seems to indicate that Preston’s Despair will be appearing in future episodes of The Sandman alongside other eagerly-awaited members of The Endless, such as Delirium.

While there is currently no expected release date for future episodes of The Sandman, Desire actor Mason Alexander Park confirmed in January that filming will begin on the new The Sandman episodes this Summer. Though The Sandman was renewed, Netflix is not calling these episodes season 2, but rather simply ‘new episodes.’ Not much else has been revealed, but Gaiman has teased that some of these new episodes will follow The Sandman comic collection Season of Mists, which introduces the characters of Destiny and Delirium.

Although Despair’s appearance in The Sandman was brief, her portrayal is important to consider, as fans have pointed out. However, it’s encouraging that Gaiman has admitted Despair’s characterization missed the mark, and that she will be portrayed differently in future episodes of The Sandman.

 

 

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button