The upcoming DC Universe series Lanterns will be as much a crime drama as a superhero story, according to its creator. Showrunner Chris Mundy describes the show as a “buddy cop” series centered on the dynamic between two Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
The series, scheduled to premiere on HBO in early 2026, will follow the two heroes as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. This terrestrial-based mystery is a key part of the show’s premise, grounding the intergalactic peacekeepers in a dark, Earth-bound case.
The Buddy Cop Dynamic
In a recent interview, showrunner Chris Mundy explained the core relationship at the heart of the show. He stated that Lanterns is “as much of a buddy cop show as a superhero show”. The dynamic between the seasoned Hal Jordan and the new recruit John Stewart is a central focus.
“Our show is in a lot of ways about replacement—when should someone step aside and when is it time for the next person to take the reins?” Mundy said. “That push and pull between those two characters is really important.”
This dynamic is built into the characters’ personalities. Mundy described Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan as having a “throwback Chuck Yeager vibe,” a guy you “don’t know whether you like him or you want to punch him.” In contrast, Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart carries a “quiet authority,” with his power coming from not taking the bait or overcompensating.
Meet the Green Lanterns
The series features two of the most famous Green Lanterns from the comics. Kyle Chandler plays Hal Jordan, a legendary but aging member of the Green Lantern Corps who is a former test pilot. Aaron Pierre plays John Stewart, a new recruit who is meant to be Jordan’s replacement.
John Stewart is a particularly significant character in DC Comics history. He was the first Black superhero to join the Green Lantern Corps back in 1971. The show will explore his complex background as both a former Marine sniper and a skilled architect. This balance between a military mindset and a creative spirit is key to the character.
“For me, the character just radiates strength and fortitude,” Pierre said about John Stewart. “That hunger to be the best version of yourself, which also holds you accountable when you’re not.”
Mundy noted that Pierre, “especially as a Black man playing this particular role,” felt a deep responsibility to understand and faithfully bring the character to life.
A Grounded Mystery
Unlike previous adaptations that focused on space opera, Lanterns will be a grounded mystery. The official logline reveals the plot: the series “follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
The show’s style has been compared to crime dramas like True Detective. The cinematographer for the series, James Hawes, also mentioned No Country for Old Men and Fargo as influences, pointing to a sophisticated, Americana-inspired tone.
James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, previously described the show as “more of a True Detective-type mystery” where the two Green Lanterns act as “supercops on ‘Precinct Earth.’”
The Creative Team and Cast
Lanterns is helmed by a strong creative team. Showrunner Chris Mundy is known for his work on the crime thriller Ozark. He is joined by Damon Lindelof, the creator of Watchmen and Lost, and comic book writer Tom King.
The cast includes several other notable actors. Nathan Fillion will appear as another Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, a role he also plays in the Superman movie. Fillion mentioned that his character is “a little bit higher strung” in this series.
Ulrich Thomsen is set to play the villain Sinestro, a rogue former member of the Green Lantern Corps. The cast also includes Kelly Macdonald as a local sheriff, with Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, and Jason Ritter in key roles.
A Different Kind of Power
The series will also explore how the two main characters use their Green Lantern powers differently, reflecting their personalities. The power rings create constructs based on the wearer’s will and imagination.
“One thing we attacked from the beginning was that the Green Lantern powers, a lot of it is based in creativity,” Mundy explained. “To manifest things from the Lantern rings, you’ve got to manifest something from your brain—but also kind of from your soul.”
John Stewart’s background as an architect means he appreciates the creative aspect of the powers, likely manifesting more intricate and detailed constructs. Mundy joked that Hal Jordan’s approach is much simpler: “We always joked that Hal just wants to hit everything with a big, green fist.”
Filming for the eight-episode season began in Los Angeles in February 2025 and wrapped in July 2025. The series is a major part of the new DC Universe’s “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” and is one of the most anticipated projects on the DC slate for 2026.
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