Lanterns may be taking a little longer to arrive on HBO Max than we initially thought, but that doesn't mean there's any less to be excited about. The DCU Chapter One's next small-screen outing is inspired by the Green Lantern comics, and follows Hal Jordan and John Stewart, two members of the Green Lantern Corps, as they investigate an Earth-based mystery.
Of course, we've already met another Lantern in the new DCU: Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, who appeared as part of the Justice Gang in Superman and will also feature in the upcoming DC show. Don't expect anything too similar to that movie, though – Lanterns looks set to have a darker, grittier, and more grounded tone than anything we've seen in the DCU so far.
So, for everything you need to know about the DCU's next TV show, we've got your complete guide to the Lanterns release date, confirmed cast members, a trailer breakdown, and spoiler-free plot speculation.
Lanterns release date speculation
The first thing we're all wondering is when we'll be able to watch Lanterns. Sadly, as yet, we don't have a concrete Lanterns release date. It was originally reported to premiere on HBO Max in early 2026, but new updates suggest it'll be after Supergirl hits theaters in June. Anytime from late summer 2026 onwards seems to be our best bet, then.
Filming began on Lanterns in LA in the week beginning February 17, 2025, and completed in the middle of July, meaning the show will now be deep in post-production for the next few months. Given the DCU has only released a few projects at this stage (Creature Commandos in December 2024, Superman in June 2025, with Peacemaker season 2 in August 2025), it's hard to predict what the studio's typical release pattern looks like just yet.
Is there a Lanterns trailer?
The first Lanterns trailer was released behind closed doors during an HBO Upfront presentation, which unfortunately means it's not available to watch online just yet.
By all accounts, the trailer reveals that Hal Jordan is a "substitute" for the Green Lantern who's meant to be mentoring new recruit John Stewart, as well as showing the pair bickering and Hal mid-fight. It also reportedly includes a reference to Ch'p, a comic book character who's a squirrel-like alien and wields the power of the Lantern ring.
Lanterns cast
The Lanterns cast is led by Friday Night Lights' Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, who starred in Netflix's acclaimed action thriller, Rebel Ridge. They're backed up by the familiar face of Nathan Fillion, once more playing fellow Lantern Guy Gardner. Long-time comics fans, meanwhile, will be excited to learn that Sinestro – a former Lantern who has since gone rogue – will also appear, played by Ulrich Thomsen.
At this point, we have a fairly lengthy list of actors who have been cast in the show, though bear in mind that for many of the characters listed here, we only know their name – and sometimes not even that!
Check out the complete Lanterns cast list so far below:
- Kyle Chandler – Hal Jordan
- Aaron Pierre – John Stewart
- Kelly Macdonald – Kerry
- Nathan Fillion – Guy Gardner
- Garret Dillahunt – William Macon
- Poorna Jagannathan – Zoe
- Ulrich Thomsen – Sinestro
- Nicole Ari Parker – Bernadette Stewart
- Jason Ritter – Billy Macon
- Sherman Augustus – John Stewart Sr.
- Paul Ben-Victor – Antaan
- Chris Coy – Waylon Sanders
- Cary Christopher – young Noah
- Laura Linney
- Paula Patton
Lanterns plot
With the show still some way out, very little concrete information is yet known about the plot of Lanterns. We do have some details, however...
The series follows two members of the Green Lantern Corps – a group of intergalactic (and therefore not always human) peacekeepers. Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) is a test pilot from Earth who was recruited by the Corps, had a legendary career with them, but is now approaching retirement. He's tasked with training up new Lantern Corps recruit and former Marine, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). Together, the two investigate a murder in Nebraska that leads them to a sinister mystery.
It's "as much of a buddy cop show as a superhero show," showrunner Chris Mundy said. "Our show is in a lot of ways about replacement – when should someone step aside and when is it time for the next person to take the reins? That push and pull between those two characters is really important. So much of the power that John has is by not taking the bait, understanding that you lose your power if you’re yelling and screaming."
James Gunn previously described Lanterns 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 also mentioned that other members of the 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."
In the comics, the known universe is divided into 3600 different sectors, with each sector patrolled by one or two Lanterns. Earth is in Sector 2814. We don't know if this will be mentioned in the show, but that makes some sense of Gunn's "precinct Earth" comment.
Where can I watch Lanterns?
This one is easy to answer if you live in the United States. Lanterns, like all the other DCU projects, will be available to stream in the US on HBO Max.
It's less certain where the show will air for UK viewers, but we can take a guess. Both Creature Commandos and Peacemaker have aired on Sky Max and NOW TV in the UK. Keep your eyes on this guide as we update you on the latest streaming news. While we wait, you can also check out our list of the best shows on HBO Max to watch right now!
For more of the DCU, check out our guide on how to watch DC movies in order, and keep up with all the upcoming superhero movies and shows heading your way.
