Lanterns will soon be debuting on the screens with its first season, bringing in two Green Lanterns exclusively from the comics into James Gunn’s revamped DCU. The third television series in the DC Universe is currently scheduled to premiere in the United States in early 2026 on HBO Max, available to be streamed on the same.
While Greg Berlanti began developing a Green Lantern series in 2019, it was redeveloped when Gunn and Peter Safran took creative control of the DC Studios as its co-CEOs in 2022. It was announced with its detective story style in January 2023 and was ordered by HBO in mid-2024. Filming took place in Los Angeles from February to July 2025.
Consisting of eight episodes, this TV series will notably be a part of the super-verse’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. It will finally hit the screens in the course of a few months, more than three years after being first announced, if everything goes as per schedule. The series will then be followed by the next DCU movie, Supergirl.
That said, here’s all you need to know about this upcoming television show, from its cast, crew, and characters to the plotline that it will encompass, from all we know so far, ahead of the release of the series. Without further ado, dig in!
Cast, Crew, and Characters in Lanterns Season 1
The main cast of Lanterns season 1 will be carried by Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre. While the former has been cast as Hal Jordan, a former test pilot and legendary Green Lantern Corps member approaching retirement, the latter will be embodying the character of John Stewart, a new Green Lantern recruit whom Jordan is training to replace himself.
Joining them are Nathan Fillion, who is once more playing fellow Lantern Guy Gardner, an abrasive member of the Lantern Corps, and Kelly Macdonald, who will be seen as Kerry, a sheriff deeply devoted to her family and close-knit town. Sinestro, a former Lantern gone rogue, will also appear in the saga, played by Ulrich Thomsen.
Besides them, other recurring characters listed so far include Garret Dillahunt as William Macon; Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe; Nicole Ari Parker as Stewart’s mother, Bernadette Stewart; Sherman Augustus as Stewart’s father, John Stewart Sr.; Jason Ritter as Kerry’s husband, Billy Macon; and Paul Ben-Victor as the extraterrestrial Antaan.
Here’s a cleaner look at the actors, characters, and crew:
Then there are the guest stars, which include Chris Coy as “Waylon Sanders” and Cary Christopher as young Noah. Jasmine Cephas Jones and J. Alphonse Nicholson will be playing the young counterparts of Bernadette and John Stewart Sr., respectively (as reported by Space). Laura Linney and Paula Patton have also reportedly been cast in undisclosed roles (as reported by The InSneider and SuperHeroHype).
While the show is said to be drawing inspiration from ‘prestige’ drama series like True Detective and Slow Horses, it was created by Chris Mundy, Tom King, and Damon Lindelof, both credited as executive producers alongside Gunn and Safran. The writers’ room includes Justin Britt-Gibson, Breannah Gibson, and Vanessa Baden.
Mundy will serve as the showrunner, while James Hawes is set to direct the first two episodes, and Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov will reportedly be helming the rest of season 1. Cynthia Summers is on board as the costume designer. The series will be produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television.
What Will be the Plotline of Lanterns Season 1?
The storyline of Lanterns season 1 will follow experienced Lantern Hal Jordan and new recruit John Stewart, members of the Green Lantern Corps, which is a group of intergalactic (and thus, not always human) peacekeepers. The former, now approaching retirement, is tasked with training the latter, who is a new Lantern Corps recruit and former Marine.
Together, the two embark on a mission to investigate a murder in Nebraska on Earth. However, little do they know that the story will eventually lead them to a sinister mystery as they approach darker mysteries and reckonings. Not to mention, of course, as intergalactic peacekeepers, both of them get granted extraordinary powers through their iconic magic power rings.
Previously, Gunn described the series as being “really a terrestrial-based TV show, which is almost like True Detective with a couple of Green Lanterns who are space cops watching over precinct Earth.” He further dramatized the story to mention that other members of the Lantern Corps will be “peppered in there,” and that Jordan and Stewart will “discover a terrifying mystery that ties into our larger story of the DCU” (via ComicBook.com).
Unfortunately, though, no official trailer for Lanterns season 1 has been released as of yet. But there are chances for a teaser to drop soon; maybe even by the end of Peacemaker season 2, for all we know.
Nonetheless, are you hyped about this forthcoming series? Plus, when it does debut on the screens, will you be among the ones to tune in right on time? Do you have your own thoughts and opinions to share with us about this series? Whatever it is, do make sure to let us know in the comments below!
Lanterns season 1 is expected to be released on HBO Max by early 2026.
