Lanterns 2026

Lanterns (2026) is an American superhero crime drama series created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King for DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television. Based on DC Comics’ Green Lantern, the series stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. Rather than focusing solely on cosmic adventures, the story blends superhero action with a grounded murder mystery set in the American heartland. The first season premieres on August 16, 2026, on HBO Max.

Lanterns (2026) Storyline

Veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan is partnered with rookie John Stewart, a former Marine who has recently joined the Green Lantern Corps. Their latest assignment takes them to rural Nebraska, where a seemingly ordinary murder investigation begins to uncover something far more dangerous.

As the two Lanterns dig deeper into the case, they encounter hidden conspiracies, mysterious forces, and secrets that stretch well beyond Earth. Their investigation gradually reveals a threat with potentially devastating consequences for the wider DC Universe.

While the series features the iconic Green Lantern mythology, its story is built around detective work, character development, and suspense. The partnership between the experienced Hal Jordan and the disciplined John Stewart forms the emotional core of the series as they learn to trust each other while confronting an ancient mystery.

Main Cast

• Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan
• Aaron Pierre as John Stewart
• Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry
• Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
• Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro
• Garret Dillahunt as William Macon
• Laura Linney
• Poorna Jagannathan
• Jason Ritter
• J. Alphonse Nicholson
• Jasmine Cephas Jones

Production Details

Lanterns is one of the flagship television projects in DC Universe Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Emmy-winning writer Chris Mundy serves as showrunner, while James Gunn and Peter Safran executive produce the series. Directors for the first season include James Hawes, Geeta Vasant Patel, Alik Sakharov, and Stephen Williams.

Unlike previous live-action Green Lantern adaptations, the series adopts a grounded detective-thriller approach. James Gunn has compared its tone to True Detective, combining a murder investigation with superhero mythology and larger DC Universe connections. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles, California, during 2025.

Release Date and Where to Watch

Lanterns premieres on August 16, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max in the United States. The first season consists of eight episodes, with international streaming availability expected through Warner Bros. Discovery’s regional partners.