There is plenty to look forward to in Netflix’s The Sandman for Filipino Neil Gaiman fans — among them the fact that a Filipino actor stars in a pivotal episode of the long-awaited live adaptation of the DC Comics series.
London-based actress Lourdes Faberes stars in The Sandman’s fifth episode, “24/7,” where she plays Kate Fletcher, one of the patrons who becomes trapped in a 24-hour diner after John Burgess (played by David Thewlis) decides to test the powers of a stolen ruby from the Sandman to horrifying effect.
While The Sandman TV series has gotten critical acclaim overall, “24/7” has been singled out as its standout episode. A Guardian reviewer called it “2022’s single greatest hour of TV drama”.
Filipino pop culture blogger Jerald Uy raved that the episode should be nominated for an Emmy despite the titular character barely being in it.
Responding to Uy’s tweet, Faberes wrote, “Salamat po. Sana manood and lahat Ng Pinoy. (Thank you. I hope every Filipino gets to watch it.) I know @neilhimself loves (the Philippines). So proud of our 24/7. #TheSandman”
Faberes also starred in the Amazon TV adaptation of Gaiman’s Good Omens as Pollution, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. She can also be seen in the History channel series Knightfall, starring Mark Hamill.
Faberes was born in Manila but moved to London to train at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she graduated in 2000. Before moving to London, she was in the Repertory Philippines company where she acted in productions such as The King and I.
Speaking with The Stage, Faberes shared that she had moved to Manila as most of her friends from Repertory Philippines were cast in Miss Saigon. “There was a chunk of time after leaving Central where, because everyone in Miss Saigon was from the Philippines, all the casting directors just assumed I could sing. I’m the only one that can’t,” she said.
