Dead Boy Detectives

Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland are teenage ghosts who run an informal detective service for other supernatural beings. They pair up with Crystal Palace, a living clairvoyant, to take on odd cases that range from missing spirits to cursed objects, approaching each mystery with a mix of deadpan banter and earnest curiosity. The series follows their attempts to keep clients safe and tidy up paranormal messes, while their fragile alliance is tested by a powerful witch whose plans threaten the balance they've been keeping. The tone moves between light, quirky moments and darker stakes, and the show focuses on the characters learning how to act now that their pasts won't let them move on.

Created for television in 2024, the series lists Steve Yockey, Neil Gaiman, and Matt Wagner as creators, drawing on characters and material associated with Gaiman and Wagner's earlier comic work. Specific directors and episode credits vary across the season.

At the time of writing the show hasn't collected major industry awards or high-profile nominations, though it has been part of conversations among genre fans and critics. No fabricated honors are claimed here.

Neil Gaiman's name helped bring attention from readers of his other stories, and the series has fueled online discussion about how the Sandman-adjacent characters work in a longer TV format. Fans of the comics have compared the adaptation choices, and clips of the lead duo's chemistry have circulated on social platforms.

Critics and viewers generally gave positive marks, reflected in a 7.7/10 average from 282 votes, praising the lead performances and the show's blending of teen dynamics with supernatural mystery. Recurring themes include friendship after loss, identity when life is suspended, and the ethics of helping others when you can't fully live yourself. The show balances humor with eerie moments, and it leans on character relationships more than procedural gimmicks to keep episodes engaging.