Wednesday 17 December, 09:00 by Karzal

HBO unveils first look at superhero series Lanterns

HBO Max shared a preview of its 2026 lineup last week, which included a glimpse of Lanterns, a new HBO Original series from DC Studios.

The superhero series Lanterns revolves around the Green Lanterns John Stewart and Hal Jordan, played by Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler, respectively. In the preview, John Stewart is seen saying that he has trained his whole life for this role, while Hal Jordan makes it clear to him that he will only be truly ready when the ring decides so.

©Deadline - HBO

In a striking scene, Hal places the ring on a car's dashboard and jumps out while the vehicle is still moving, causing John to be flung off a hill. Later, we see John running against traffic on a highway, highlighting the physical and mental trials of his training.

The series is developed by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King and follows the young recruit John Stewart and the seasoned Lantern legend Hal Jordan. Together, they function as intergalactic agents who become involved in a dark mystery on Earth when they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

In addition to Pierre and Chandler, the cast includes Kelly MacDonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Ulrich Thomsen, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Sherman Augustus, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Jason Ritter, Nathan Fillion, Chris Coy, and Paul Ben-Victor.

According to showrunner Chris Mundy, Lanterns is not only a superhero series but also distinctly a kind of buddy cop story. A central theme is succession: when should someone step back and when is it time for a new generation to take over. The dynamic between John and Hal revolves around that tension.

According to Mundy, John's strength lies precisely in his composure; he doesn't need to prove himself by shouting or overcompensating because he knows deep down that he belongs in this role. Mundy praises Aaron Pierre's presence: physically impressive, yet soft and thoughtful at the same time.

Lanterns is scheduled to premiere in 2026 on HBO Max.