‘The Sandman: Act II’ Audio Drama Reveals New Cast With James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Andy Serkis, And More
Here comes the grand marshal of the audiobook/podcast parade, just in the neighborhood to tell you about another star-studded, radio-like drama that will be coming your way very soon. Whether it beThe Lord of the Ringsread by Andy Serkisor Stephen King’s “Strawberry Spring"performed by Garrett Hedlundand Milo Ventimiglia, it’s a good time to be a listener.
The first seasonofNeil Gaiman’sThe Sandman, adapted for the audio format from his landmark DC Vertigo comic of the same name, was a runaway success last summer. Released on August 25, 2025, it became the best-sellingAudible Originalin the company’s history, occupying the #1 spot on The New York Times Best Seller Audio Fiction list for two months. One year later, Audible has announced the next installment,The Sandman: Act II, withJames McAvoyand an A-list supporting cast that will make your eyes bulge. Not only that: you’ll be able to listen to the first volume,The Sandman, for free.
Audible has assembled a fierce ensemble of voice actors forThe Sandman: Act II,which is bound for the bookshelves of your ears onSeptember 22, 2021. McAvoy returns in the lead role of Dream/Morpheus and he’s joined byKat Dennings,Andy Serkis,Michael Sheen,Regé-Jean Page,Jeffrey Wright,Brian Cox,Emma Corrin,John Lithgow,David Tennant,Kristen Schaal,Bill Nighy,Kevin Smith,Bebe Neuwirth,Adrian Lester,Miriam Margolyes, and more.
Did you do a spit take when you read those names? You might not recognize all of them out of the gate, but if you useIMDbto put a face to a name, chances are you’ll recognize the faces of some well-known character actors. The press release forThe Sandman: Act IInotes that the first installment in this audio series “will be made available for free on Audible, Amazon Music, and through Alexa enabled devices this summer.”
Thrilled to be able to share just a few of the brilliant cast members of The Sandman: Act II from@audible_comand@dccomics. It will be released on September 22nd! Catch up on The Sandman Act I before Act II arrives.https://t.co/EjYoJlvueX#SandmanxAudiblepic.twitter.com/Ncq0HbTI16
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself)July 16, 2025
Mr. Sandman, Bring Me a Multimedia Empire
If you’re behind on yourSandmannews, then take another sip of your summer lemonade and prepare to do one more cast-inspired spit take …
It’s important to note that this audio drama is a separate thing from Netflix’s upcoming TV adaptation ofThe Sandman. Just last month, Gaiman gave us abehind-the-scenes lookat the development of that series, which has already received an 11-episode order, and which also boasts a stellar cast that includesTom Sturridge,Gwendoline Christie,Charles Dance,Boyd Holbrook,Kirby Howell-Baptiste,Patton Oswalt, David Thewlis,Jenna Colman, andStephen Fry.
You must be getting tired after all of these spit takes.
Gaiman serves as a co-executive producer of both the audio series and the Netflix series. He narrated the first volume ofThe Sandmanaudio drama and is acting as the creative director forThe Sandman: Act II.Again, the press release notes:
The Sandman: Act II will adapt Volume Four: Season of Mists, and Volume Five: A Game of You, as well as the “Distant Mirrors” quartet and “Convergence” trio from Volume Six: Fables & Reflections, of the graphic novel series.
The Sandmanadapted the first three volumes of the graphic novel series (Preludes & Nocturnes,TheDoll’s House, andDream Country).The Sandman: Act IIwill be available exclusively on Audible onSeptember 22, 2021. Act III hasalready been greenlit.
