Roderick Burgess

Lore & Background

Sir Roderick Burgess is an aristocratic occultist who, in 1916, performs an occult ritual that captures Dream / Morpheus, the personification of dreams and one of the seven Endless. Burgess holds Dream captive for 106 years, until Dream escapes in 2022. Burgess is the father of Alex Burgess and the lover of Ethel Cripps, who later becomes Ethel Dee / Madame Daudet and the mother of John Dee. Burgess's actions directly lead to the chaos in the Dreaming and the events of the series. He is portrayed by Charles Dance in the first season.

Reader's Guide

When exploring The Sandman universe, Sir Roderick Burgess is a pivotal antagonist whose actions trigger the main plot.

He is an aristocratic occultist who captures Dream in 1916. - He holds Dream captive for 106 years, until 2022. - He is the father of Alex Burgess and the lover of Ethel Cripps. - His son Alex Burgess is portrayed by Laurie Kynaston (young) and Benedick Blythe (older). - Ethel Cripps later becomes Ethel Dee / Madame Daudet, mother of John Dee. - Burgess dies before Dream's escape, but his actions set the stage for the Corinthian's freedom and John Dee's rampage. For accurate understanding, focus on his role as the catalyst for the series' events, not as a long-term recurring character.