The Sandman, Netflix‘s fantasy drama based on Neil Gaiman‘s legendary DC Comics series, follows Morpheus (played by Tom Sturridge), the King of Dreams, as he seeks to restore order to his realm after a century of imprisonment. After finally escaping in 2022, he sets out to rebuild his kingdom, the Dreaming.
The first season concluded with a bonus episode featuring “Dream of a Thousand Cats” and “Calliope,” which expanded the show’s universe with new characters and stories.
As fans await the highly anticipated second season—set to be released in two parts on July 3 and 24, 2025, with a bonus episode on July 31—let’s look back at the filming locations that brought THE SANDMAN’s surreal world to life, especially in Season 2.
A QUICK LOOK BACK: WHERE WAS SEASON 1 FILMED?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, filming for the first season was confined to the UK. Filming began in October 2020 and concluded in August 2021. Key locations included Greater London, Surrey, Watford, Poole, and Sussex. Notable sites were Shepperton Studios, Guildford Cathedral, Hankley Common (used as Hell), Canary Wharf (doubling as New York City), and Sandbanks Beach in Poole.
WHERE WAS THE SANDMAN SEASON 2 FILMED?
Production for Season 2 officially began on June 23, 2023, at Shepperton Studios in Surrey. Although work was briefly halted due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, filming resumed by November 30, 2023, and wrapped by August 2024.
Here’s a breakdown of major filming sites for Season 2:
• SHEPPERTON STUDIOS, SURREY
Much of the core production was anchored at Shepperton Studios, located in Surrey. This is where most of the scenes that needed CGI and controlled environments were filmed. For both Season 1 and Season 2, most of the work was done at this historic studio. Shepperton was known for its high-tech facilities and closeness to important locations in southern England. It provided a controlled setting perfect for creating detailed dreamscapes, visual effects, and important interior scenes for the show.
Barry Waldo, husband of production designer Jon Gary Steele, posted on Twitter: “Started shooting yesterday so there’s a long ways to go!” Shepperton served as the base for most indoor and green screen scenes. It had previously hosted Season 1 and continued to anchor the series in Season 2.
• DORSET: DURDLE DOOR BEACH & LULWORTH ESTATE
One of the most striking locations in The Sandman Season 2 is Durdle Door beach on the Lulworth Estate in Dorset, England. A visually dramatic scene was filmed here on June 30, 2023, by Dream/Morpheus star Tom Sturridge. Dream appeared in his signature flowing black attire approaching a mysterious figure in white robes holding a lyre, a nod to mythic storytelling. Beach access was temporarily closed for this shoot. The limestone arch and Jurassic Coast provided an otherworldly setting for the show’s dreamlike visuals.
Production vehicles and crew were seen setting up on the cliffs and nearby trails, suggesting a complex ground-and-air shoot. The Lulworth Estate later confirmed that the crew had reserved the area for multiple days to film uninterrupted. Previous films like Wonka and Ammonite have also utilized the Dorset coastline, but The Sandman brought a darker, more mystical presence to this iconic landmark.
• PARKSTONE CEMETERY, POOLE
Filming for The Sandman Season 2 included a brief shoot at Parkstone Cemetery in Poole, Dorset. The scene was filmed over a single day, and local authorities confirmed that the production company took care to respect the site. Existing gravestones were kept out of camera view, and no burials occurred during filming.
A spokesperson from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council confirmed that filming took place for one day in Parkstone Cemetery. They stated: “We have worked with the company to ensure that the location within the cemetery has been chosen sensitively. Existing gravestones will not be in the foreground of shots, no names will be on display, and there will be no burials taking place whilst they film.”
• SANDBANKS & POOLE HARBOUR
Another key Dorset location used in The Sandman Season 2 was Sandbanks, situated on the edge of Poole Harbour. The area’s golden beaches and stunning coastal views made it a beautiful backdrop. Production vehicles and crew activity in Sandbanks car park suggest shoreline scenes. The show’s surreal aesthetic complements Poole Harbour’s dreamy and expansive setting. Its calm waters and ethereal light may suggest a dream realm or dimension crossing. This luxurious peninsula was the perfect blend of beauty and mystery.
• BOURNE WOODS, SURREY
Season 2 of #TheSandman Netflix has wrapped filming in Bourne Woods, Surrey. Location filming will continue in Brighton tomorrow pic.twitter.com/5OMxGlBPWm
— Redanian Intelligence (@RedanianIntel) February 19, 2024
In February 2024, filming for The Sandman Season 2 was spotted in Bourne Woods, located in Surrey. This iconic forest location, known for its mystical and cinematic atmosphere, has previously featured in high-profile productions such as Gladiator and The Witcher. Netflix wrapped a portion of the season’s filming here, utilizing the wooded landscape to enhance the ethereal, fantasy setting central to The Sandman.
• SEVEN SISTERS COUNTRY PARK – SUSSEX
Seven Sisters Country Park is one of Sussex‘s most famous natural landmarks. Scenes from Season 2 of The Sandman were filmed there in February 2024. The South Downs National Park’s chalk cliffs made for a dramatic setting that was perfect for dreamlike scenes. The area’s wide views of the sea, rolling green hills, and rough beauty made it perfect for scenes that showed vast, mysterious landscapes.
• BRIGHTON – EAST SUSSEX
Royal Pavilion Gardens in Brighton covered with fake snow for the filming of Netflix’s #TheSandman S2 this week pic.twitter.com/8EXcSI1ANH
— Redanian Intelligence (@RedanianIntel) February 19, 2024
Scenes from Season 2 of The Sandman were shot at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, East Sussex, in February 2024. The Pavilion is known for its beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture. It provides an enchanted and dreamlike atmosphere that fits perfectly with the series’ strange style. With its fancy domes, minarets—and rich interiors, it could be a royal dream palace or a fantastical world in the Dreaming. The production worked with Brighton & Hove City Council to plan the shoot so that it would cause as little trouble as possible. The Pavilion is a great place to be this season because of its historical appeal and one-of-a-kind design.
• ROYAL PAVILION ICE RINK – BRIGHTON, SUSSEX
The show also went to Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, which was a great visual contrast. The Pavilion looks like an Eastern palace because of its Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and ornate interiors. With its winter setting and fancy background—filming at the rink probably adds to a more royal or strange part of the Dreaming. Brighton & Hove City Council supported the shoot, and filming was scheduled to avoid public disruption.
• FRENSHAM LITTLE POND, SURREY
The second season of The Sandman was filmed at Frensham Little Pond in Surrey on June 20, 2024. Frensham Little Pond is a peaceful National Trust site. The area turned into a beautiful dreamscape with blue flower meadows, cherry blossom trees, and fairies riding horses carrying banners. These elaborate set pieces suggest scenes deep within the Dreaming. Only Stephen Fry was seen on site, possibly filming a solo sequence.
• DEBENHAMS STORE – WOKING, SURREY
In August 2024, The Sandman Season 2 filmed key scenes at the former Debenhams store in Victoria Place Shopping Centre, Woking. The production team had full control to design intricate interior sets during a month-long indoor shoot in this vacant retail space. Aurora’s property had large, flexible spaces for surreal dreamscapes or urban backdrops. The team worked closely with Area 4—the company that handles logistics for filming—to get the store ready for use in movies. Because the place is so big and private, it’s likely to be used in scenes about important events in the real world or the Dreaming.
• DUKES COURT – WOKING, SURREY
Dukes Court, a modern office building in central Woking, was used in The Sandman Season 2 as a stand-in for a Central London police station. This location was chosen because it was cheaper than places in London where the filming took place over three days. The urban outside and office-style inside are great for scenes with human characters, maybe connected to Jenna Coleman‘s character Johanna Constantine, or with police interacting with supernatural elements. The location reflects the series’ grounded, real-world storyline thread. According to Area 4, this shoot contributed to the borough’s creative economy as part of an effort to generate new revenue.
• BROOKWOOD CEMETERY – WOKING, SURREY
One of the biggest cemeteries in the UK, Brookwood Cemetery, which is close by— was used for creepy exterior scenes. Its old gravestones and tree-lined streets gave it a gothic and spiritual feel that was perfect for thoughts about—death or the afterlife. According to Area 4, the company in charge of coordinating production logistics—the shoot at all three locations brought in about £89,000 for ‘Woking Borough Council’, which has been renting out local properties to the entertainment industry on a regular basis. The combination of modern structures and historic grounds made Woking an ideal multi-purpose filming hub for the series.
• WITLEY COURT – WORCESTERSHIRE
Witley Court, a beautiful 19th-century mansion ruin in Worcestershire, England, is one of the most impressive places where Season 2 of The Sandman was filmed. Between 0:57 and 1:02 of the official Netflix behind-the-scenes video, the location is shown briefly. The video shows the grand exterior with its classical stone pillars and weathered arches. Even though it wasn’t said in official press releases, Witley Court was seen as a location.
• CHATSWORTH HOUSE – DERBYSHIRE
The second season of The Sandman was filmed at Chatsworth House, a beautiful stately home in Derbyshire. Boyd Holbrook (The Corinthian) and Jenna Coleman (Johanna Constantine) were seen on the set, which could mean that a key scene involving their characters is happening. Chatsworth is likely a royal or supernatural realm in the Dreaming because of its fancy architecture, regal interiors, and large grounds.The classical background of the estate adds to the show’s visual richness and fits in perfectly with its dark fantasy setting.
• SCOTNEY CASTLE IN LAMBERHURST, KENT
A sword fight scene from Season 2 of The Sandman was filmed at Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst, Kent. It is a moated ruin from the 1400s that is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The castle’s medieval feel and lush forest made it a great film location for historical or mythical flashbacks, possibly involving the Endless or dream sequences from the past.
OFFICIAL TRAILER
For more news and updates on filming locations, stay tuned to netfilming.com.
