As the new season of ‘The Sandman’ unfolds, Donna Preston returns as the most unsettling of the Endless. A raw and luminous conversation about queer visibility, self-love and the art of not fitting in.
There’s a hypnotic stillness to Donna Preston when she speaks about Despair. Not apathy, but precision. “She doesn’t need to shout to leave a mark,” she says. “Her presence lingers. It’s subtle, but unsettling.” With the new season of The Sandman set to premiere in two volumes, Donna anticipates an atmosphere that will be even more layered and intense. “Releasing it in two parts feels like exactly the kind of intensity the Endless would approve of,” she adds with a knowing grin.
Carrying a gothic hook through silent, brooding scenes was never meant to be comfortable — but Preston still carved out room for humour. “I just wanted to do her justice… without falling into despair myself,” she laughs. “And yes, I wished for at least one scene without dragging that hook around like a gothic handbag.”
For her, The Sandman feels like a dark, surreal hug for anyone who’s ever felt out of place. “The characters are fluid, magical, chaotic. It’s poetic weirdness. It feels like home.”
Her journey hasn’t followed a typical script. Especially not after being watched 24/7 on Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished fourth. “It was an emotional marathon… in sparkly slippers,” she recalls. “One minute you’re laughing over toast, the next you’re crying because someone took the last teabag.”
But if there’s one thing Donna Preston does best, it’s unfiltered honesty. Especially when it comes to body image. “It wasn’t always a love story between me and the mirror,” she admits. The turning point? Letting go of perfection. “I stopped trying to fit into someone else’s idea of beautiful. I treat my body like an old friend who’s been through a lot. And it deserves kindness — not criticism.” Her confidence stems from telling the full story. “Quirks, curves, bumps and all.”
“I treat my body like an old friend who’s been through a lot.”
Donna Preston
Her version of self-care is unapologetically human. “I go full cosy gremlin mode,” she says, laughing. “Long baths like I’m in a moody music video, naps whenever I can, and cuddles with my cat, Mr Bigs. I shut the door, unplug from the world and just breathe. No glam, no noise — just me and a blanket. That’s the dream.”
For Preston, allyship is both personal and professional. “Being an LGBTQ+ ally isn’t just about showing up for Pride — it’s about showing up all year round,” she affirms. “Some of the most brilliant, creative, fabulous people I know are queer. The world would be dull without them.”
Representation, she insists, is non-negotiable. “If we’re not telling stories that reflect everyone, then what’s the point?” Even in today’s charged social climate, her clarity doesn’t waver. “We can’t afford to stay silent. Compassion, courage, and boundaries matter more than ever.”
Now entering a new phase in her career, she follows instinct above all. “I choose projects that make me feel something — laughter, fear, joy or fire. If it makes me grow, I’m in. But I also ask: will I have fun? Will I learn something? And can I wear comfy shoes? Priorities,” she says with a wink.
Her next dream is already taking shape: a bold, heartfelt, wonderfully weird comedy-drama she’ll create and star in. “It has to be totally me. With a cameo from Mr Bigs, obviously. He says he’s ready for his close-up… and a trailer full of snacks.”
Credits:
Photography: Leo Holden
Makeup : Dominik Skinner
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