The Sandman is the 1989 genius comic book collection of Neil Gaiman, Mike Dringenberg, and Sam Kieth. The Netflix live-action series of books and graphic novels is one of the most anticipated adaptations of the year. Allan Heinberg, David S. Goyer along with Neil Gaiman have created the 10-part series which will officially release on the 5th of August. The British actor, Tom Sturridge, will embody the titular role of Morpheus, the Lord of dreams. Having lived the character, Sturridge has some interesting observations and revelations regarding the complex being.

Tom Sturridge defends his character-Dream

The San Diego Comic-Con 2022 had a panel dedicated to The Sandman. In an exclusive with CBR, the cast, as well as the creators, spoke at length about their journey of bringing the much-beloved story from the pages to the real world. Whether it is the unwavering vision of Neil Gaiman regarding his story, or a dream come true for producer Allan Heinberg, the interview was a treasure trove of insights about the story and the characters.

When asked about his process of “finding the humanity,” for a character about Dream, Sturridge gave a brilliant yet layered interpretation. He addresses the “misconception about Dream,” not having “humanity,” and being “isolated, enclosed and shut off from the world.” Tom explains Dream is rather “the entity who contains all of our dreams and our fears and our fantasies. He is the one being who feels everything that every other being feels.”

Dream has a “responsibility of containing that (feelings) and the discipline required to hold it together.” Failure to see that through will result in everyone “falling apart,” according to Sturridge. That is why Dream “can seem unempathetic or inhuman.” Inferring from his journey of performing and living the complicated being, Tom reveals, “in some ways, he (Dream) is the most human of us all.”

What is The Sandman about?

The story closely follows the arc of Morpheus, who is the anthropomorphic personification of dreams. After escaping his prolonged imprisonment by a group of occultists, the tale journeys through his quest to regain his lost abilities and control of the ‘Dreaming’ world. Jumping through time and space, “the Lord of Dreams learns that one must change or die, and makes his decision.“, according to Neil Gaiman.

Apart from Tom Sturridge, who plays Dream, the cast is a fascinating mix of human and non-human characters. Johanna Constantine (Jenna Coleman) and Rose Walker (Vanesu Samunyai) portray mortals in the show. On the other hand, there are fantastical characters like Desire (Mason Alexander Park), Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie), and Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook).

What are your thoughts about Morpheus? Do you agree with Tom Sturridge’s interpretation of the Lord of Dreams? Let us know in the comments.