The upcoming HBO series Lanterns is making a clear statement. It is not just another superhero show. Slated for a mid-2026 release, this series aims to be a grounded detective story first and a cosmic adventure second, setting itself apart from other shows in the new DC Universe like Peacemaker and Creature Commandos . Starring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, the show follows two Green Lanterns investigating a murder in rural America, blending elements of crime thrillers like True Detective and Fargo with classic superhero lore .
A Grounded Approach to Cosmic Heroes
From the start, DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran described Lanterns as a terrestrial-based mystery. They pitched it as a major HBO-quality event in the style of True Detective . This focus on an Earth-bound investigation is a significant shift from the previously planned Green Lantern series, which was a more traditional, expensive space opera exploring different characters and time periods .
The core premise finds an experienced Hal Jordan and a new recruit, John Stewart, landing in Nebraska to solve a murder. This case is expected to uncover darker mysteries that connect to the larger storyline of the DCU . Director James Hawes emphasizes the show’s “rooted” and “naturalistic” feel, aiming to present a world where aliens and power rings exist, but the human drama feels real and tangible .
“People will still go, ‘What were you talking about?’ to some extent, but I would also bring in No Country for Old Men, Fargo and things that have that Americana heart to them. There’s a wry humor, and so there definitely is more wit and humor than there is in True Detective,” said director James Hawes .
The Creative Team Behind the Mystery
The series boasts a writing and producing team with serious prestige television credentials. The showrunner is Chris Mundy, known for his work on Ozark and the fourth season of True Detective . He is collaborating with Damon Lindelof, the mind behind Lost and Watchmen, and Tom King, an acclaimed DC Comics writer . This combination suggests a series focused on deep character study and complex narrative, hallmarks of HBO’s most respected dramas.
James Hawes, who directed the first two episodes, comes from a background that includes shows like Slow Horses and Black Mirror . He describes the dynamic between Hal and John as a “buddy cop structure,” but one with sophisticated storytelling and a dry, wry sense of humor that differentiates it from its grittier inspirations .
How Lanterns Differs From Past DCU TV Projects
Lanterns marks a distinct evolution in the DCU’s television strategy. It is the first DCU series to be officially branded as an HBO Original, a label associated with high-caliber, award-winning programming like Game of Thrones and Succession . This is a different approach from Peacemaker Season 2 and the animated Creature Commandos, which were and are presented as Max originals . The HBO Original branding signals an intent for the series to be viewed as premium, character-driven television.
Furthermore, while Peacemaker was a violent, comedic romp and Creature Commandos is an animated horror-comedy, Lanterns is pursuing a specific, grounded tone. It is a detective story with supernatural elements, more concerned with mood and mystery than outright spectacle or comedy. The series will also have a direct narrative link to the wider DCU. James Gunn has stated that the mystery Hal and John uncover in Nebraska is very important and “leads into the overall story” being told across films and other shows .
The Cast and Characters
The series features a strong ensemble cast led by Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan. Chandler’s Hal is described as a veteran Lantern approaching retirement, inspired by the quiet, capable test pilots of films like The Right Stuff . His new partner is Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, a marine and architect who is new to the Green Lantern Corps. Hawes praised Pierre’s “magnificent presence,” noting he feels “forceful, so cool, so understated” .
They will be joined by Nathan Fillion, who reprises his role as the brash Guy Gardner from the Superman film . The cast also includes Kelly Macdonald as a local sheriff, Ulrich Thomsen as the rogue Lantern Sinestro, and Laura Linney in an undisclosed role .
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Ties to DC Comics and the Wider DCU
Showrunner Chris Mundy has clarified that Lanterns is not a direct adaptation of any single comic book story. Instead, it is an original tale that stays true to the core of the characters .
“Our characters are true to the comics, but we’re putting them in a new story. So the actors didn’t have to dig into a specific period in the comic books. It was more about understanding who John is and understanding who Hal is,” Mundy explained .
Visually, the show has drawn comparisons to the Green Lantern: Earth One graphic novels, which present a more realistic, hard sci-fi take on the mythology . More importantly, the story is confirmed to connect to Salvation, the mysterious planet revealed in other DCU projects. This connection places Lanterns as a key piece in setting up future events in the shared universe .
Filming for the eight-episode first season took place in Los Angeles from February to July 2025 . With a planned mid-2026 premiere on HBO, the series is positioned to be a summer television event that offers a different kind of superhero story—one lit by the glow of a power ring but grounded in the soil of a murder mystery.
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