Available on Netflix since Friday August 5, the Sandman series – adapted from the graphic novels by Neil Gaiman – does not feature one of its most famous characters, John Constantine. Explanations.
Shortly before Netflix released all ten episodes of Sandman season 1, it was revealed to the public that the character of John Constantine would not appear in the series. As a reminder, John Constantine is a recurring character in DC Comics. He was also entitled to his own series in 2014. But above all, he is present in graphic novels The Sandman written by Neil Gaiman.
Logically, the author’s fans therefore hoped to find him in the series – perhaps in the guise of Matt Ryan for that matter. Constantine does feature in the Netflix series, but it’s Johanna Constantine – and Lady Constantine, her ancestor – both played by English actress Jenna Coleman.
Neil Gaiman explained this on his Twitter account in September 2021, when a tweeter called out to him after learning that Jenna Coleman was going to take over the role of Constantine:
“The rights situation with John is certainly circumscribed at this time. But the plan for Lady Johanna and Joanna (sic) to be in the story and played by the same person was planned from the start. It seemed more orderly. That’s how it worked.“
This means that there are other projects in development around John Constantine that prevent him from being part of Sandman. Announced in February 2021, a reboot of John Constantine for HBO Max is in the works under the aegis of Bad Robot, the production company of JJ Abrams. Scripts have already been delivered. Additionally, Constantine is also part of Bad Robot’s plans for the Justice League Dark series, which would unite DC Comics’ supernatural beings.
The presence of Johanna Constantine therefore makes sense. Created by Neil Gaiman in the comics The Sandman, Lady Johanna is an ancestor of John. She too is a kind of trickster who dabbles in the supernatural. Johanna Constantine is just as dangerous and untrustworthy as John, but she circulates in posh circles and her clients include the Queen of England herself!
She is THE Constantine of the series as attested by Neil Gaiman in a tweet dated August 3:
“In the world of Sandman, where Morpheus escapes from captivity in 2022, she is the current embodiment of Constantine’s life force.“