In the brightest day, in the darkest night, the first look at the new DC series Lanterns is in sight! An HBO Original series, Lanterns places legendary Green Lantern Hal Jordan alongside new recruit John Stewart as the pair examine a strange murder deep within America’s Heartland.
These intergalactic police officers, both Earthlings, are well-equipped for this mission on their homeworld. What mystery unfolds from there may shape the rest of their lives, perhaps their universe.
In a social media post by the official Max account, we now know the actors portraying these important roles. Kyle Chandler, of Friday Night Lights fame, embodies Jordan as a grizzled veteran, while Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge and M. Night Shyamalan’s Old) wields the ring for Stewart.
The post’s image shows the pair walking down a winding highway across an autumnal grassland. Eagle-eyed fans can spot the iconic ring on Chandler’s right hand, held on his middle finger.
This image, combined with the premise, lends itself to the buddy cop genre. Hal Jordan being a cop in the twilight of his career and John Stewart being a rookie cop that may or may not play by the rules is a classic staple in the genre.
However, I speculate that this series will have an interesting wrinkle.
In the comics, Green Lantern has covered social-political issues. For instance, I can see Lanterns adapting elements of the Dennis O’Neill and Neal Adams run of Green Lantern/Green Arrow, which covered serious topics. It also introduced fans to John Stewart! As science fiction and superhero elements drive the narrative, I can see Stewart filling in Green Arrow’s shoes as Jordan’s opposition in perspectives.
The series will be a part of executive director James Gunn’s lineup in the DC Cinematic Universe’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters phase of media. Lanterns is scheduled to be released on MAX in early 2026 with eight episodes. The series will be helmed by showrunner Chris Mundy