Jack Gleeson's New Fantasy Role Is Even More Perfect For Him Than Game Of Thrones' Joffrey

Summary Jack Gleeson, known for playing Joffrey in Game of Thrones, is perfect for the role of Puck in The Sandman Season 2.

Puck, a character from English mythology, is mischievous and charming, offering Gleeson a more diverse role than his previous one.

Gleeson's return to mainstream fantasy with The Sandman could relaunch his popularity, following a break from acting and personal pursuits.

Jack Gleeson became an overnight sensation when he appeared as Joffrey in Game of Thrones, but his new role in The Sandman is an even better fit for the young actor. Gleeson is an Irish actor who had his first major role in Game of Thrones when he was cast as the universally detested character of Joffrey Baratheon. Despite his youthful looks, he was 18 years old when he began playing the tyrannical young ruler.

However, Gleeson had already found some degree of success in acting in smaller roles, and a brief appearance in Batman Begins in 2005 when he was just 12. From an early age, he clearly possessed a great deal of talent that landed him the pivotal role in HBO's most popular show of all time. Despite his talents, the role of an impish ruler who is utterly detestable is not necessarily the ideal character for the actor who has more to offer than simply being pure evil.

Related The Sandman Season 2: Confirmation, Cast, Trailer & Everything We Know The Sandman season 1 is only the start of Neil Gaiman's epic saga. Here's everything we know about what's next in The Sandman season 2 on Netflix.

Jack Gleeson Is Perfectly Suited To Play Puck In The Sandman Season 2

Jack Gleeson's Perfect Role

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Gleeson has a youthful and playful nature, which lends itself to a more complex and diverse role than a boy king with no real redeemable qualities. Fortunately, his upcoming role in The Sandman is perfect for allowing Gleeson to showcase his talents and deliver something that is all around, more entertaining. Gleeson has been cast to play Puck, a magical being who possesses some similarities to Game of Thrones' Joffrey in terms of his impish, mischievous nature. However, added to this, there is a level of charm and humor that was absent from the boy king.

Puck is a type of fairy which draws inspiration from English mythology and a creature with the same name. The most famous representation of this kind of character is in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The creature is primarily seeking to entertain itself through the use of pranks and jokes, but despite their charm and largely unimposing appearance, they can be extremely dangerous. This duality and the speed with which they transition, makes for an interesting character that requires an actor with range and talent like Gleeson's.

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Puck's Role In The Sandman Season 2 Explained

Puck Is A Character Straight Out Of Mythology

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In the comics by Neil Gaiman that inspired the series, Puck appears alongside the Norse god Loki, helping him to enact his nefarious plans. Considering the fact that several new characters have been introduced, including Loki, it appears that The Sandman season 2 is likely to adopt the storyline from the comics to some extent. However, this could spell major trouble for Morpheus if the comic story is being adapted for season 2.

Puck plays a minor role in the destruction of Morpheus, which would cause a major power shift in The Dreaming. However, his role in the upcoming season is likely to be altered to fit the story, and it seems highly unlikely that they will definitively get rid of Tom Sturridge's Dream. Regardless, Gleeson will be sure to bring a charm and wit to the character, along with a more subtle danger beneath the mischievous facade. Puck is sure to be a fun addition to the world of The Dreaming, and a considerable new presence to stir up trouble.

Jack Gleeson's The Sandman Casting Returns Him To Mainstream Fantasy

Moving Away From Joffrey, But Back To Fantasy

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This will also be a significant moment for Jack Gleeson, just in terms of his personal acting career. Unfortunately, the actor apparently played his part too well in Game of Thrones, and he experienced some negativity from the public. Following his time on Game of Thrones, Gleeson took a lengthy break from acting to focus on personal pursuits. Between 2014 and 2020, Gleeson did not appear in any new projects, and during that time, he chose to study and develop his relationship with his long-time girlfriend whom he married in 2022.

However, with the time away, it appears that Gleeson is jumping back into acting with several roles in TV and film since 2020, and more projects in the works. But, The Sandman has the unique privilege of marking Gleeson's return to a mainstream fantasy project which will launch his popularity once again. Considering the actor's previous work, Gleeson is likely to steal the show as Puck in The Sandman season 2.