RTÉ Smother actor Niamh Walsh has joined the cast of The Sandman, Netflix's adaptation of the Neil Gaiman comic series of the same name, alongside Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman.

Author Gaiman, who is executive producing the series, has described The Sandman as "a rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven".

It follows "the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King, as he mends the cosmic - and human - mistakes he's made during his vast existence".

Walsh will play Ethel Cripps "a betrayed and determined young woman seeking to survive", with the present-day version of the character - "a woman of a hundred identities and a thousand lies" - set to be portrayed by Joely Richardson.

The cast of The Sandman also includes Vivienne Acheampong, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Coleman, Charles Dance, Stephen Fry, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Tom Sturridge, Patton Oswalt and David Thewlis.

The original comics were released in 1989, featuring artists Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, Jill Thompson, Shawn McManus, Marc Hempel, Bryan Talbot, and Michael Zulli, with lettering by Todd Klein and covers by Dave McKean.

Doctor Who star Coleman will play Johanna Constantine, an 18th century occult adventuress and the great-great-great grandmother of the comic book character John Constantine.

Howell-Baptiste will play Death, while Mason Alexander Park will play Desire and Donna Preston will play Despair.

Kyo Ra will take on the role of Rose, while Razane Jammal will play Lyta Hall and Sandra James Young will play Unity Kinkaid.

Fry will play Gilbert, Rose Walker's debonair protector and a dab hand with a paradox and a sword cane.

Patton Oswalt will take on the role of raven Matthew, Dream's trusted emissary.

It was previously revealed that The Hollow Crown's Sturridge will play the lead role of Dream, Lord of the Dreaming, while Game Of Thrones star Christie will feature as Lucifer, Ruler of Hell.

"Every afternoon I get an email telling me that there are 'dailies' from The Sandman ready to be watched. It's the best bit of the day," Gaiman said of the show.

"Once every couple of weeks I get an email letting me know that there's a finished episode waiting for me to watch it. It's the best bit of the month. The Sandman is being made, and it's... well, it's The Sandman. Which is the best thing of all."

The series is currently in production.

Jenna Coleman, David Thewlis, Stephen Fry, Patton Oswalt, Joely Richardson, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Niamh Walsh, Kyo Ra, Razane Jammal, and Sandra James Young will co-star alongside Tom Sturridge and Gwendolyn Christie in The Sandman! pic.twitter.com/tlQ97I0xyS

— Netflix (@netflix) May 26, 2021