Netflix’sThe Sandmanspinoff, which boasts an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%, could have been the perfect series to continue the Neil Gaiman franchise. Unfortunately, Netflix canceled it after season 1. An upcoming Prime Video show now seems to hold the responsibility of being the new torch-bearer ofNeil Gaiman’s television adaptations.
Based on Neil Gaiman’s comic,The Sandmanpremiered on Netflix in August 2022 and garnered positive reviews from both viewers and critics. The show drew promising numbers on Netflix, which paved the way for the streamer to renew it for another season almost three months after its release.
WhileThe Sandmanwas scheduled to end its run with season 2, Netflix attempted to expand the franchise by delivering a spinoff that revolved around two fascinating characters written by Neil Gaiman. Unfortunately, despite earning critical acclaim, the show was canceled after one season.
Sandmanwas always intended to end after season 2, butDead Boy Detectivescould have kept the ball rolling for Netflix’s Neil Gaiman universe. The spinoff show not only landed in critics' good books but also earned the praise of many viewers.Even its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 92%, proving that many viewers loved its first season.
Many praised the series for its exciting monster-of-the-week format, world-building, and LGBTQ+ representation. Some even touted it as one of thebest fantasy shows on Netflixin modern times. Yet, despite the acclaim,Dead Boy Detectivesfailed to appeal to larger audiences and failed to reach Netflix’s criteria for renewal.
In hindsight, it is hard not to see howDead Boy Detectivesdeserved a second chance. It had all the right elements to expand into a full-fledged series and likely would have built a stronger following with more installments. It could have also given the streamer the opportunity to gradually expand the lore set byThe Sandman. Sadly, it was canceled too soon.
Anansi Boys Could Be Another Promising Neil Gaiman Adaptation
Prime Video is adapting Neil Gaiman’s 2005 novel,Anansi Boys, which focuses on the adventures — and misadventures — of the two sons of the spider-god Anansi. The show has a promising cast, which includes Malachi Kirby as Charlie Nancy / Spider, Delroy Lindo as Mr. Nancy, Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn as Rosie Noah, and Grace Saif as Daisy Day, among others.
Just likeDead Boy Detectivesties intoThe Sandmanuniverse,Anansi Boysis loosely connected toAmerican Gods.
Some big names, like Fiona Shaw and Whoopi Goldberg, are also a part of the project, which brings it a lot more credibility. While only time will tell how the show will turn out,it could fill the massive void left behind byThe SandmanandDead Boy Detectivesif it is executed well like the Netflix shows.
Just likeDead Boy Detectivesties intoThe Sandmanuniverse,Anansi Boysis loosely connected toAmerican Gods. It must be noted, though, that the Prime Video show will be treated more as a standalone story.
The Sandman
The Sandman is a 2022 adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s iconic comic series. The narrative follows Morpheus, the King of Dreams, who, after years of imprisonment, embarks on a quest across various realms to recover his stolen artifacts and regain his lost power.
Dead Boy Detectives
Cast
Based on the DC series, Dead Boy Detectives is a supernatural comedy-mystery series created for Netflix. Two young men from different find one another in death but decide to skip the afterlife and remain among the living with a new purpose - to solve various supernatural mysteries the way only two deceased detectives can.
