DC's Lanterns lights up HBO: A True Detective-style cosmic mystery arrives in 2026
Lanterns, Green Lantern, HBO, DC Studios, James Gunn, Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, True Detective, DCU, streaming, superhero mystery, Hal Jordan, John Stewart
DC Studios is set to deliver a new kind of superhero story with its upcoming HBO series, Lanterns, heading for a 2026 release. With an eight-episode order, the series promises a grounded, character-driven mystery in the vein of a buddy cop procedural, but with the high-stakes cosmic elements of the Green Lantern Corps.
Lanterns will follow the unlikely pairing of two iconic Green Lanterns: the veteran space cop Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler) and the new recruit John Stewart (played by Aaron Pierre). The two are forced to team up for a dark, earth-based murder mystery in the American heartland. Their investigation will quickly unravel a larger conspiracy that is foundational to the future of the new DC Universe (DCU).
Cast brings star power and depth
The series has already lined up an impressive cast:
Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) as the rugged, veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan.
Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) as the serious and focused John Stewart.
Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire) as Sheriff Kerry, who gets caught up in the mystery.
Garret Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead) and Jason Ritter (Only Murders in the Building) in key recurring roles.
Nathan Fillion (Superman) will appear as Guy Gardner.
Ulrich Thomsen will appear as the rogue former Lantern Sinestro.
Why you should be excited
A new flavor of superhero show: Unlike other superhero fare, Lanterns is leaning into a gritty, earthbound detective story. This "buddy cop" approach, combined with HBO's prestige storytelling, offers a fresh and mature take on the classic DC characters.
Part of a larger plan: The series will be a crucial building block in James Gunn and Peter Safran's rebooted DCU, officially part of "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters".
High stakes and tension: With Hal Jordan's potential retirement teased and a dark mystery at its core, the show promises a tense, character-driven narrative with a lot on the line.
Ready to see the light? Get ready for Lanterns, coming to HBO and Max in early 2026.