Jack Gleeson is back! As The Sandman season 2 premieres on Netflix, the Game of Thrones alum's return as Puck the Trickster King draws fans' curiosity about his decision to return to acting.
So, who is this mischievous character, and what can viewers expect from him on the show? Well, here's what you should know.
What Made Jack Gleeson Return to Acting After Game of Thrones?
There is no doubt that one of the most satisfying episodes in Game of Thrones is King Joffrey's rather brutal and timely death on the show.
Considering the 33-year-old actor's rise to popularity due to his brilliant performance, he faced backlash upon his leave, and for some reason, he had practically disappeared from potential TV roles. So, what happened?
Gleeson essentially took a lengthy break from the acting world between 2014 and 2020, focusing on his academic endeavors. He did previously explain what led him to take a break in the first place.
"It really comes down to just not deriving as much enjoyment as I did from acting as I used to," he said back in 2023 during a talk at University College Dublin, adding that while he always dreamt of becoming an actor, his passion for the industry lessened upon joining Game of Thrones.
And now, fans can celebrate his grand return in yet another major fantasy show, The Sandman, as Puck the Trickster King.
SPOILER WARNING: This article contains minor spoilers for The Sandman season 2, so proceed with caution.
So, Who is Puck, the Trickster King in The Sandman Universe?
Puck, like many of the major characters in The Sandman universe, comes from his own world. In this case, this trickster king is one of the fairy spirits from William Shakespeare's famous comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream.
He is also based on Puck from English mythology and the púca from Celtic mythology—both of whom describe the character as a mischievous, shapeshifting fairy or sprite.
In the Sandman universe, Puck, portrayed by Jack Gleeson, was first introduced in Season 2, Episode 3, titled "More Devils Than Vast Hell Can Hold."
He serves as the jester to King Auberon (King Oberon in Shakespeare's play) of the Faerie kingdom, all while having fun toying with mortals for his own amusement.
His first time displaying his powers was when he unveiled himself in the closing act of the play, in which Dream was watching with the crowd.
For now, the first six episodes of The Sandman season 2 are available to stream on Netflix. Expect episodes 7-10 on July 24.
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