The first six episodes of The Sandman Season 2 are now available for streaming on Netflix, but the recent sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman have created a significant cloud of uncertainty surrounding the show’s premiere. Many dedicated fans have expressed curiosity regarding the extent of Gaiman’s involvement in the production of the final season. In an insightful interview with TVLine, showrunner Allan Heinberg provided clarity on Gaiman’s role in the creative process.
Heinberg shared, “[Gaiman] was super busy. We talked less. But if I had a question, I could definitely call,” he explained. “He was involved in the casting of the Endless; that was very important. But in terms of the other characters, it moved too fast for us to involve him in the way that we had with the initial casting, which took place during prep. We were casting while shooting. So the entire production progressed rapidly. Given that so much had already been established in Season 1, there was a reduced necessity to consult him extensively, since he had already approved much during Season 1. We’re revisiting the same sets, the same characters. Thus, it felt very organic, like a gentle nod from Neil saying, ‘You’ve got this; call me if you need anything,’ and that’s how we approached Season 2.“
Heinberg elaborated, “If he did watch cuts, he rarely provided me with notes. Honestly, I can’t recall a single piece of feedback, but I believe much of that stemmed from him allowing us the space to create the show, confident that we would achieve our vision in the end without imposing on the creative process. Moreover, with so many people involved in the production and everything moving at a rapid pace, Neil is aware that inserting any minor comment could create significant ripples. He understands the dynamics at play and is very considerate about it.“
Following this, TVLine inquired whether Heinberg has been in touch with Gaiman recently.
He is an executive producer on the show, and he has been nothing short of brilliant and — I must say, in my experience — he has shown nothing but love and generosity. If I had created a comic book and someone adapted it into a TV series, I’m not sure I would have been as trusting and generous. And that encapsulates my experience with Neil Gaiman. I can’t speak to any of the allegations since I am not privy to that information. I empathize with everyone affected, and I wish we lived in a world that embraced nuance, where every perspective is acknowledged, including Neil’s. That’s my stance: Everyone has their own truth, and every experience is valid as it unfolded for them. If there is — and I realize this is going way too far — but I’m not involved in any of it. I respect all parties involved, and the worst thing I could do is make it about myself in any way, if that makes sense.
For fans interested in deeper insights, you can check out a detailed review of The Sandman Season 2 Volume 1 from our own Alex Maidy right here.
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