DC Studios and HBO have teamed up to bring the Green Lantern universe to television with “Lanterns,” an eight-episode series that trades outer space adventures for a grounded murder mystery in the American heartland. The show premieres Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and streaming on HBO Max.
Early reviews are mostly positive, with the series earning a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 32 reviews, giving it the “Certified Fresh” seal. On Metacritic, the show holds a 72 out of 100 score based on 26 critic reviews.
What Is Lanterns About?
The series follows two Green Lanterns – veteran Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) – as they investigate a murder in Rushville, Nebraska. What starts as a small-town crime quickly turns into something bigger with cosmic connections.
The show plays out across multiple timelines, jumping between 1996, 2016, and 2026. This time-jumping structure allows viewers to see how both characters developed into the heroes they become.
Hal Jordan is the first human Green Lantern, a former test pilot who has been protecting the galaxy for years. By the time the series begins, he is tired, sarcastic, and not happy about training his replacement.
John Stewart is a former Marine sharpshooter who has prepared his whole life to become a Lantern. He is disciplined, serious, and ready to prove himself – which puts him at odds with his reluctant mentor.
The showrunners – Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, The Leftovers), and comic writer Tom King – have described the series as a blend of superhero action and old-school cop drama.
The Cast and Characters
Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Carol) plays Hal Jordan, bringing a worn-down, wisecracking energy to the character. Critics have called his performance the “magnetic force” of the whole series.
Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) plays John Stewart. Pierre brings warmth and charm to the role, making John more than just a by-the-book soldier.
The supporting cast includes:
- Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry
- Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, a conspiracy-theorist rancher
- Laura Linney as a Guardian of the Universe
- Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
- Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe
- Jason Ritter as Billy Macon
- J. Alphonse Nicholson as John Senior
- Jasmine Cephas Jones as Young Bernadette
A Different Kind of Superhero Show
What makes “Lanterns” stand out from other superhero content is its grounded approach. Instead of jumping between planets and fighting cosmic battles, the show focuses on character relationships and a murder investigation.
The series has drawn comparisons to “True Detective” for its tone, color palette, and the uneasy partnership between its two leads. Critics have also noted similarities to Lindelof’s previous work on “Watchmen” for how it handles serious themes.
One of the show’s strengths is how it deals with race. John Stewart’s experience as a Black man in a mostly white small town is not ignored. The third episode shows how John was prepared from childhood to face prejudice and carry himself with dignity.
“The stellar third episode shows how that child who grew up in awe of Hal is forged by his parents to become worthy of following in his footsteps by exposing John to every prevalent Black anxiety at a young age, and building an immunity to them by any means necessary.”
What Critics Are Saying
The review embargo lifted on August 14, and critics have shared mostly positive thoughts.
IndieWire praised the series for being “keenly invested in the fears we carry, what they mean to the world, and how they define our humanity”.
ScreenRant gave the show a 9/10 rating.
SlashFilm rated it 7.5 out of 10, calling it DC’s “riskiest bet yet”.
Not every review was glowing. The New York Times gave it a “rotten” rating, noting that the series “is almost entirely about the dark night of the superhero’s soul”.
Inverse observed that “Lanterns is stuck on the ground” due to a lack of wonder.
The Rotten Tomatoes critics’ consensus praises the show for lighting the way “to a controlled and fantastical escape, in which Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre bring audiences into their world of wonder through fearless performances, grounded writing, and charismatic chemistry”.
Release Schedule and Where to Watch
“Lanterns” premieres Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max.
The first season has eight episodes, with new episodes dropping weekly on Sundays. The finale is expected to arrive in October.
For viewers in different time zones:
- USA: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on HBO and HBO Max
- UK: Available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV
- India: Available on HBO Max and JioCinema (subject to regional availability)
- Australia: Available on Binge and Foxtel
- Canada: Available on Crave
The show is part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, coming after Superman, Peacemaker Season 2, and Supergirl.
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How It Compares to the 2011 Green Lantern Movie
Many critics have compared “Lanterns” to the 2011 Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Reynolds. That film received a 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 39 on Metacritic.
“Lanterns” is performing much better with an 89-91% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 72 Metacritic score.
The series takes a completely different approach than the movie. Instead of going big with CGI and cosmic action, it stays small and character-focused.
The series has “no shame about its spandex origins: Hal Jordan does indeed get a Green Lantern ring, wears the recognizable black-and-green outfit, and runs around protecting the galaxy.”
Behind the Scenes
“Lanterns” was created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King. Mundy also serves as showrunner.
The series was developed as part of DC Studios’ Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters”. It represents a major step for the Green Lantern franchise, which has struggled to find success in live-action.
The show held a panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 to promote the series. The cast also walked the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere on August 14.
HBO has also released “Lanterns: The Official Podcast” as a companion series for fans.
“Lanterns” arrives at a time when superhero fatigue is a real concern for studios. By grounding the story in character and mystery rather than spectacle, the show offers something different from the usual superhero fare.
The partnership between Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre is the heart of the series. Their odd-couple dynamic – the tired veteran and the eager rookie – drives the show forward.
With a strong cast, respected showrunners, and mostly positive reviews, “Lanterns” looks like a solid addition to the DC Universe. Viewers can decide for themselves when the series premieres on August 16.
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