Lanterns

Lanterns is an upcoming American superhero crime drama scheduled to premiere in August 2026 on HBO and Max. As the first live-action television entry in James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe (DCU), the eight-episode series serves as a foundational piece of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Developed by showrunner Chris Mundy (Ozark) alongside Damon Lindelof and Tom King, the series moves away from traditional space-opera tropes to deliver a grounded, gritty detective story inspired by True Detective and Slow Horses.

The narrative centers on the uneasy partnership between legendary Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). In this iteration, Jordan is portrayed as a seasoned veteran approaching retirement, tasked with training Stewart, a disciplined former Marine who is just beginning to harness the power of his emerald ring. The two intergalactic law enforcers are drawn into a dark mystery in the American heartland when a disturbing murder in Nebraska reveals ramifications that extend far beyond Earth.

As the investigation unfolds, the “buddy cop” dynamic between the two Lanterns is tested by their opposing methods and Jordan’s cynical, jaded outlook on the Corps. They are joined by local Sheriff Kerry (Kelly Macdonald), a no-nonsense law officer who bristles at the presence of these “supercops” in her small town. While the series maintains a terrestrial focus, the inclusion of characters like the abrasive Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) and the recurring presence of the villainous Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) hints at the vast cosmic lore operating behind the scenes.

Beyond the immediate homicide case, the show explores the civilian lives of Jordan and Stewart, examining who they are when they are “out of uniform.” This character-driven approach delves into themes of replacement, legacy, and the personal cost of being a hero. The mystery they uncover—described by James Gunn as an “ancient horror” found on Earth—is integral to the overarching plot of the DCU, directly setting the stage for future films and series.

The series concludes its first season by escalating from a local crime thriller into a high-stakes intergalactic reckoning that threatens to upend the Green Lantern Corps. By grounding the extraordinary powers of the rings in a layered, human drama, Lanterns aims to redefine the superhero genre for a mature audience. As the investigation leads to a startling reveal about Earth’s role in the cosmos, Hal and John must reconcile their differences to face a threat that connects the entire DC Universe.