(L to R) Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.
Arriving on HBO August 16th with the first episode (and seven more to follow weekly), ‘Lanterns’ sees James Gunn’s (‘Superman’) DC Studios universe move into live-action TV with a show that mixes interstellar law-keeping mythology and ground-level small town crime.
“Only one can wear the ring.”
Air Date: August 16th, 2026
Created by Chris Mundy (‘Ozark’), Tom King (a veteran comic book writer) and Damon Lindelof (‘Watchmen’), ‘Lanterns’ also stars Garret Dillahunt (‘No Country for Old Men’), Laura Linney (‘Nocturnal Animals’), Poorna Jagannathan (‘Big Little Lies’) and Ulrich Thomsen (‘The Celebration’).
Related Article: ‘Lanterns’ Brings the DC Studios TV Energy to San Diego Comic-Con 2026
Initial Thoughts
Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.
After finding big screen success with ‘Superman’, the latest variant of the DC Universe on screens stumbled at the box office with ‘Supergirl.’ But while it technically kicked off its TV arm with the animated ‘Creature Commandos,’ this new Green Lantern-based series represents the true first televisual test for the fledgling take on the comic book characters.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.
Created by Chris Mundy, Tom King and Damon Lindelof, the mixture of genre TV specialists in Mundy and Lindelof allied with a veteran comics writer has so far borne fruit. On the evidence of the episodes given to press, ‘Lanterns’ is a fresh, darkly funny and fulsome dive into the world of the Green Lantern corps.
Initial director James Hawes and his colleagues have created a dusty, grounded world for our heroes, but one that still has room for some well-realized use of the Lanterns’ powerful rings, which can create almost anything they can imagine (including at one point for Hal, counterfeit money to use in a jukebox).
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Kelly Macdonald, Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.
Chandler, even given his reputation as playing conflicted good-hearted men, has real fun letting loose as Hal Jordan, a man who has let the burden of being Earth’s first Lantern turn him into something of a boundary-pushing nuisance, yet one who still believes in getting the job done.
Pierre is more the straight-arrow former military man who nevertheless brings his own fun to the role. Macdonald, meanwhile, has less to chew on so far as a small-town sheriff, but she still works really well.
Hedlund, always good value in supporting role, has a vein of humanity running through his criminal character.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.
‘Lanterns’ has the potential to be a great superhero series that never forgets to be human alongside all the special abilities and energy-channeling jewelry on display.
‘Lanterns’ receives 75 out of 100.
Aaron Pierre in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.
What’s the plot of ‘Lanterns’?
‘Lanterns’ follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Who stars in ‘Lanterns’
- Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan
- Aaron Pierre as John Stewart
- Kelly Macdonald as Kerry
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
- Garret Dillahunt as William Macon
- Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe
- Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro
‘Lanterns’ premieres on HBO Max August 16th. Photo: Courtesy of HBO Max.
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