Kirby Howell-Baptise was more than ready to play the Grim Reaper in the new Netflix series TheSandman.
, Vivienne Acheampong, Stephen Fry, Boyd Holbrook, Charles Dance, Asim Chaudhry, Jenna Coleman, David Thewlis, Joely Richardson and Mason Alexander Park also star in the series, with voice work from Patton Oswalt and Mark Hamill.
While most depictions in popular culture show Death as an ominous harbinger of sorrow, symbolizing our universal fear of mortality, Gaiman's Grim Reaper is a decidedly more charismatic character. Known as the second-oldest of the Endless -- aka the children of Time and Night who were born just as the universe was put into motion -- Death was created just as life became a reality in the universe and is destined to be the last being left once the universe itself dies.
"We're so used to the doom and the gloom and the darkness, and to find a character that actually brings a lot of light and a lot of positivity, a lot of sort of nurturing and care to Death, I think will be really surprising," she explains. "And I think it will continue, because I've spoken to Neil about this, about how that role has offered a lot of comfort to people throughout the years. And I think it will continue to do that.
And according to series creator and executive producer, Howell-Baptise was an easy choice to join the production. Gaiman told that Howell-Baptise held a unique quality of"being able to speak honestly to power" that made her an automatic standout in auditions. "We saw a lot of Deaths, well into the many hundreds. But Kirby had a quality that was unique of being able to speak honestly to power," Gaiman recalled."That honesty, and the fact that she could deliver those lines and you believe them, were what sold me on Kirby 100 percent. We had supermodels, we had all sorts of amazing people a lot more famous than Kirby auditioning.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
$112 million contract for Georgia coach Kirby Smart is fully guaranteed during first five yearsGeorgia football coach Kirby Smart is eligible up to $1.525 million in bonuses this season, up from $1.15 million previously.
Read more »
'Sandman' Cast & Creators Discuss Taking the Books to TV (Exclusive)'The Sandman' adaptation has been several years in the making and is finally making its small screen debut!
Read more »
Netflix’s The Sandman Is a Love Letter to Fans of Neil Gaiman’s Comics Classic.LacyMB reviews Netflix's ambitious adaptation of neilhimself's landmark comic series TheSandman, which more than does the Lord of Dreams justice.
Read more »
6 things you have to watch on TV this weekendThe Sandman hits the small screen, two Apple TV Plus finales drop, and more
Read more »
‘The Sandman’ is the Netflix superhero we’ve been waiting forAllan Heinberg and David S. Goyer's take on Neil Gaiman's classic comic is a master class in adapting fiction to the screen
Read more »
‘The Sandman’ Author Neil Gaiman, Star Tom Sturridge Tease Netflix Series: ‘It’s Just a Wild Ride’“Think of them as the beginning of the roller coaster ride, to the top of the roller coaster. Now the ride begins. From here on, it’s just a wild ride to episode 10. And it doesn’t stop — it’s glorious, and these people and Tom [Sturridge], it’s magic.”
Read more »