First Look at HBO’s “Lanterns”: Green Lantern Mystery Drama Begins Production

by Annika February 28, 2025

The HBO series Lanterns, based on the long-running DC Comics characters, has started production. The first photo released of its main stars, Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler, hints at a superhero narrative with a Green Lantern Corps ring visible on Hal Jordan’s finger, although it strays from the traditional superhero attire, depicting them in everyday clothes. The show will have a true detective vibe, following two intergalactic cops investigating a murder mystery in the American heartland.

First Look at HBO’s “Lanterns”: Green Lantern Mystery Drama Begins Production

– HBO’s new show “Lanterns”, based on the DC Comics characters of the Green Lantern Corps, has released a first look at its stars Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in their regular attire on an empty road.
– The series will follow new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan as they investigate an earth-based mystery, hinting at a superhero story with a picture of a Green Lantern Corps ring on Hal Jordan’s finger.
– The series, produced by Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, is described as a “layered drama”; additional cast members include Kelly Macdonald and Garret Dillahunt, among others.

Production on HBO’s Lanterns has kicked off, with a sneak peek featuring the program’s main actors, but they’re not in the iconic Green Lantern Corps attire.

In the premier released image, Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler can be seen in everyday clothes, strolling down an uninhabited street. This falls in line with the synopsis of the series, which is founded on the perpetual DC Comics figures. The plot revolves around “fresh recruit John Stewart (Pierre) and Lantern luminary Hal Jordan (Chandler), two cosmic law enforcers unravelling an ominous, Earth-centric enigma as they probe a homicide in the core of America.” The show, developed by Chris Mundy, Tom King, and Damon Lindelof, has also been likened to True Detective.

In the initial image, there’s a subtle nod suggesting that Pierre and Chandler are part of a superhero narrative — the Green Lantern Corps ring adorning Hal Jordan’s finger.

“From inception, our predominant motivation has been to bring to the screen a complex drama — anchored in detail-oriented storytelling and extensive universe creation — that harmonizes suspense and intrigue with genuine, heartfelt emotion,” quoted Mundy. “The aspiration is to present something that feels classic and grounded without forfeiting the enchantment of the original body of work.”

Joining the roster of Lanterns are Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, and Ulrich Thomsen.

Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios have partnered to bring Lanterns to life. Chris Mundy, known for his work on Ozark, takes the helm as showrunner and co-author of the eight-episode season with Eisner Award recipient, Tom King, and Damon Lindelof, known for his work on Watchmen and Lost. James Hawes has been handed directorial reigns for the first two episodes; the four of them executive produce the series alongside DC Studios chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran and Ron Schmidt. Noted directors Stephen Williams (Watchmen), Geeta Vasant Patel (House of the Dragon) and Alik Sakharov (Ozark) will also share directorial duties.