The Sandman, adapted by Neil Gaiman, has a few spoilers in it. One of Netflix's most captivating features about the series is its ability to make its characters feel special, such as its protagonist Dream (Tom Sturridge), the evil Corinthian (Boyd Holbrook), or the mysterious Johanna Constantine (Jenna Coleman).
The Sandman's new perspective on Death (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) or the shady humor of Cain (Sanjeev Bhaskar) and Abel (Asim Chaudhry) are able to develop immediately characters that are both fascinating and important to understanding the world Gaiman has created and its enigmatic central figure, Dream.
Hob Gadling (Ferdinand Kingsley) is the main character in the powerful sixth episode, "The Sound of Her Wings." After escaping his prison and going on a quest to reclaim his magical possessions, Dream travels to a pub he knows for centuries.
Gadling plays a critical role in portraying what it means to truly live, and that death does not need to be seen as a shadow that clouded one's life. Dream does this believing that life will be too much for Gadling to endure, and he will eventually beg Dream to take back his gift every single time.
Gadling's everlasting life is brimming with ups and downs, as one would expect for someone who can make any and all mistakes, only to be plagued by misfortune and failures in the following hundred years. He marries and his children, travels to some of the same places he has visited in the past under the guise of a grandchild of himself, and in one conversation confesses that he is involved in the Atlantic slave trade, something Dream scold
Gadling accuses Dream of being lonely, and that their friendship is the true reason he keeps coming back to the bar for their beer. This is a rage for Dream, who is imprisoned at this time, but this does not deter Gadling, who arrives early in the next century and patiently waits for Dream to arrive.
Hob Gadling is one of the most important characters in the Sandman series because he is able to teach Dream about existence and the value of life. This lesson develops his character and gives him insight into his own existence, making him a more relatable and sympathetic central figure.
The Sandman's first season is now available on Netflix.