'The Sandman' Releases Surprise Special Bonus Episode on Netflix

The Sandman fans were surprised by a bonus episode released on Friday, August 19 on Netflix.

Recreating the stories "Calliope" and "A Dream of a Thousand Cats" from Neil Gaiman's original comics, the two-part special features an A-list cast that even bridges together the different adaptations of The Sandman.

'The Sandman' Releases Surprise Special Bonus Episode on Netflix

"Calliope" and "A Dream of a Thousand Cats" are stories that appear in the third volume of Gaiman's comics, titled "Dream Country."

"Calliope" tells the story of the eponymous muse (Melissanthi Mahut) who became a captive of writer Erasmus Fry (Derek Jacobi) and is passed on to another writer, Richard Madoc (Arthur Darvill).

Desperate for inspiration, Madoc will do anything, no matter how cruel, to get it and that includes refusing to free Calliope, who once knew Morpheus aka Dream (Tom Sturridge) and appeals to him for help.

"A Dream of a Thousand Cats," meanwhile, follows a kitten that is taken to a meeting held by another feline known as The Prophet, who shares the dream she has for cats to rule the world as they once did.

The dream was one she learned of after meeting with Dream in his realm, who met her in the form of a cat.

Who Stars in the Voice Cast for 'A Dream of a Thousand Cats'?

"A Dream of A Thousand Cats" is an animated short film directed by Hisko Hulsing which features an A-list cast that brings the feline characters to life.

Sandra Oh portrays The Prophet alongside Sturridge's Dream, while Rosie Day voices The Tabby Kitten, David Gyasi voices The Grey Cat, and Joe Lycett voices The Black Cat.

Other actors that appear in the episode includes James McAvoy, David Tennant, Georgia Tennant, Michael Sheen and Anna Lundberg.

What is interesting about these last few actors joining The Sandman is their history with the franchise, specifically the audiobook adaptation.

McAvoy takes on the role of Dream in The Sandman Audible adaptation, of which there are currently two parts, while Sheen portrays Lucifer (played by Gwendoline Christie in the show), and David Tennant voices Loki. Darvill, who stars in "Calliope," features in the audiobook in the role of William Shakespeare.

Sheen and Tennant also take the lead roles in another Gaiman adaptation, Good Omens, where they portray Angel and Demon duo Aziraphale and Crowley.

Here is the Full Voice Cast for 'A Dream of a Thousand Cats':

• Tom Sturridge as "Dream"
• Sandra Oh as "The Prophet"
• Rosie Day as "The Tabby Kitten"
• David Gyasi as "The Grey Cat"
• Joe Lycett as "The Black Cat"
• Neil Gaiman as "Crow/Skull Bird"
• James McAvoy as "Golden-Haired Man"
• David Tennant as "Don" and Georgia Tennant as "Laura Lynn"
• Michael Sheen as "Paul" and Anna Lundberg as "Marion"
• Nonso Anozie as "Wyvern"
• Diane Morgan as "Gryphon"
• Tom Wu as "Hippogriff"

The Sandman is available to watch in full on Netflix now.