Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
The Sandman episode 11 bonus surprise Netflix Neil Gaiman Dream Country A Dream of a Thousand Cats Calliope

The Sandman Gets Surprise Bonus Episode 11 Adapting Famous Stories with Big Stars

The Sandman is a hit for Netflix, satisfying the majority of critics and fans and offering a worthwhile TV adaptation of the Neil Gaiman comics masterpiece. However, as our own esteemed critic Darren Mooney has noted, a question has lingered of how or even whether Netflix would handle some of the smaller, self-contained stories of The Sandman. Today, Netflix has provided a bold answer. Netflix has surprised fans with the release of The Sandman episode 11, a bonus episode titled “A Dream of a Thousand Cats/Calliope,” which does indeed adapt the comics stories “A Dream of a Thousand Cats” and “Calliope” from Dream Country.

Recommended Videos

“A Dream of a Thousand Cats/Calliope” is divided into two parts catering to each story, with the former being an animated story directed by Dutch animator Hisko Hulsing. The “A Dream of a Thousand Cats” cast is dense with names, including Sandra Oh, James McAvoy, David Tennant, Michael Sheen, and Neil Gaiman himself. Hulsing provided the following statement about crafting an animatedĀ Sandman story for episode 11:

We endeavored to make the animated version of ā€˜A Dream of a Thousand Catsā€™ as mesmerizing and hypnotic as we could by utilizing the magic of real oil paintings on canvas. We combined the paintings with classically drawn 2D animation, based on realistic 3D animation of telepathic cats in order to create a trippy world that feels both grounded and dreamy at the same time. Untold Studioā€™s in London created the breathtaking 3D animation of the cats. The wonderful 2D animation, oil paintings and stylizing were all done at Submarine Studioā€™s in Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, “Calliope” stars Melissanthi Mahut as the titular character, and they snagged Derek Jacobi for Erasmus Fry, among other actors featured in the cast. Regardless,Ā The Sandman episode 11 is a pleasant surprise from Netflix for the fans, including for, yes, our esteemed critic Darren Mooney.


The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission.Ā Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of John Friscia
John Friscia
Former Managing Editor at The Escapist. I have been writing about video games since 2018 and editing writing on IT, project management, and video games for around a decade. I have an English degree, but Google was a more valuable learning resource. I taught English in South Korea for a year in 2018, and it was exponentially more fun than living in Pennsylvania. My major passions in life are SNES, Japanese RPGs, Berserk, and K-pop. I'm currently developing the game Boss Saga with my brother, which is guaranteed to change your life and you should buy it.