Netflix has built quite a reputation for canceling fan-favorite shows, and its latest victim is the fantasy drama The Sandman. After its premiere, Season 1 of the show shot to the top of Netflix's charts with 127.5 million hours watched. It was even Netflix’s eighth most-watched English-language show in 2022, holding a spot in the global Top 10 for seven weeks straight. But, as we have learned the hard way, a strong fan base and plenty of awards do not always mean a show is safe from the streaming giant’s axe.

Tudum recently confirmed that Netflix has canceled The Sandman. While Season 2 will still be released, the show will be laid to rest afterward. The announcement comes in the wake of the misconduct allegations against creator Neil Gaiman. The accusations first surfaced in a July 2024 podcast titled Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman, followed by a January 2025 cover story in New York Magazine.

Despite the timing, showrunner Allan Heinberg insisted that the decision to limit the series to two seasons was made way back in 2022, long before the controversy broke. Still, it is hard to ignore that multiple Gaiman projects have been shelved since the controversy. This includes Amazon Prime’s final season of Good Omens, a film adaptation of The Graveyard Book at Disney, and even his longtime comic book publisher, Dark Horse, has severed ties with him. Unsurprisingly, fans are outraged by the news.

Why Netflix Cancels Shows

X is awash with grim tweets lamenting the risk of emotionally investing in a show, only for it to be canceled after two seasons.

It is always a major bummer when a beloved Netflix series gets the axe — especially when it leaves viewers with cliffhangers and unresolved storylines. People are now starting to think twice before getting attached to shows that might be canceled. Fans of The Sandman are also right in the middle of that heartbreak, especially those who were hoping to see every book in the series to be adapted for live action.

Many fans, however, suspect the cancellation has something to do with Neil Gaiman.

While Netflix has opted to cancel The Sandman after two seasons, they have assured viewers that Season 2 is still on track for a 2025 release, with no hold-ups. Though we do not have a specific date yet, it looks like the new season will most likely arrive sometime in the latter half of 2025.

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What do you think about The Sandman's cancellation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!