Dead Boy Detectives: Release date, trailer and latest news
The Sandman universe is growing...
It's almost time to welcome the Dead Boy Detectives to the Sandman universe!
The new Netflix series, based on the comic book series by Neil Gaiman, follows Edwin (George Rexstrew) and Charles (Jayden Revri), the ghosts of two dead children who have stuck around on Earth as they have unfinished business - solving crimes.
Created by Gaiman and Matt Wagner, the characters first appeared in the pages of The Sandman – another Netflix property – before spinning off into their own solo adventures.
It's already been confirmed that the connection to The Sandman has also made it to screens, with Death, played by actress Kirby, making a guest appearance.
Plus, we have a brand new trailer to delve into as we await the exciting new series. Here's everything you need to know about Dead Boy Detectives and its release.
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Dead Boy Detectives release date
Dead Boy Detectives will be released on Netflix on 25th April - so not long to wait! All eight episodes will be released at once on the platform.
This particular show was actually a late-stage acquisition by Netflix, with the initial series order coming from rival US platform HBO Max (now known as simply 'Max'), which is home to fellow DC properties such as Doom Patrol and Titans.
Reports about the series first began to emerge in 2021, and it was later announced that Netflix had picked up the series. Last April, Gaiman confirmed the show would be set in the Sandman universe.
The pilot episode was filmed between December 2021 and January 2022, with the full series being filmed between November 2022 and April 2023.
Dead Boy Detectives stars
The following stars are confirmed for Dead Boy Detectives:
- George Rexstrew as Edwin Payne
- Jayden Revri as Charles Rowland
- Kassius Nelson as Crystal Palace
- Briana Cuoco as Jenny the Butcher
- Ruth Connell as the Night Nurse
- Yuyu Kitamura as Niko
- Jenn Lyon as Esther
- Lukas Gage as Thomas the Cat King
- Michael Beach as Tragic Mick
- Joshua Colley as Monty
- Lindsey Gort as Maxine
- Caitlin Reilly as Lily
- Max Jenkins as Kingham
- David Iacono as David the Demon
- Kirby as Death
The cast of Dead Boy Detectives is led by newcomer George Rexstrew and Fate: The Winx Saga alum Jayden Revri, who play the undead roles of Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland.
They will be joined by Hollyoaks and White Lines star Kassius Nelson in the role of Crystal Palace, a psychic who falls in with the dead boys after they save her from being possessed by a demon.
Meanwhile, Briana Cuoco (yes, sister to The Big Bang Theory's Kaley) plays Crystal's ominously named landlady, Jenny the Butcher, and Supernatural's Ruth Connell will appear as one of Death's bureaucrats, known as the Night Nurse.
The Dead Boy Detectives cast also includes Yuyu Kitamura (Expats) as Crystal's neighbour Niko, Jenn Lyon (Claws) as the villainous Esther Finch, and Lukas Gage (The White Lotus) as enigmatic shapeshifter Cat King.
Rounding out the line-up for the new series are Michael Beach, Joshua Colley, Lindsey Gort, Caitlin Reilly, Max Jenkins and David Iacono.
Is Dead Boy Detectives set in the Sandman universe?
Yes! It's been confirmed that Dead Boy Detectives is set in the Sandman universe.
The Dead Boy Detectives initially appeared in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, before spinning off to solve their own mysteries.
This series, which was commissioned by HBO Max, was not initially envisioned to have any direct connection to the current live-action adaptation of The Sandman – which lives at rival service Netflix (and has been renewed for season 2).
However, with word that The Dead Boy Detectives was jumping ship from the rebranded Max to Netflix, fans of Gaiman's work were immediately excited by the prospect of crossovers and connections.
The legendary author himself took to social media to settle the wild speculation, telling a fan on X that it's "safe to say" that The Dead Boy Detectives does inhabit the same television universe as The Sandman, following the move.
With the confirmation that Kirby is reprising her role as Death, it's clear there will be explicit links to the Sandman universe - so watch out for more references!
Also, should Dead Boy Detectives get renewed for season 2 (and The Sandman for season 3), we wouldn't be surprised to see these two projects brought closer together.
What is Dead Boy Detectives about?
The official synopsis from Netflix reads: "Meet Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), 'the brains' and 'the brawn' behind the Dead Boy Detectives agency.
"Teenagers born decades apart who find each other only in death, Edwin and Charles are best friends and ghosts… who solve mysteries. They will do anything to stick together – including escaping evil witches, Hell and Death herself."
How many episodes will there be of Dead Boy Detectives?
There will be eight episodes of Dead Boy Detectives - at least until there's another season greenlit.
How many issues of the Dead Boy Detectives comics are there?
The Dead Boy Detectives were first introduced in an edition of The Sandman comics in 1991.
In 2001, they received their own four-issue miniseries and then, in 2014, Vertigo published a 12-issue series of Dead Boy Detectives, written by Toby Litt and Mark Buckingham with art by Buckingham and Gary Erskine.
Dead Boy Detectives trailer
A new trailer for Dead Boy Detectives was recently released!
You can check out all the action below:
Dead Boy Detectives is set for release on 25th April. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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