HBO has released the first trailer for Lanterns, offering audiences their first real look at the upcoming DCU series centered on two of the franchise’s most iconic Green Lanterns. The show, which premieres this August, stars Kyle Chandler as veteran Lantern Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as rookie recruit John Stewart. Together, the pair are tasked with solving a mysterious murder in the American heartland—an investigation that may have consequences far beyond a quiet Nebraska town.
The series introduces viewers to a grounded yet expansive take on the Green Lantern mythology. While the Green Lantern Corps are known across DC lore as intergalactic peacekeepers wielding powerful rings capable of manifesting constructs of whatever they can imagine, Lanterns places its central mystery in an unexpectedly small and isolated setting. The trailer teases a tone that blends cosmic superhero storytelling with elements of a procedural detective drama, as Hal and John investigate a murder that appears to connect to a larger and darker conspiracy.
Check out the official Lanterns trailer below.
At the center of the story is the dynamic between the two lead characters. Chandler’s Hal Jordan is portrayed as the seasoned veteran, someone who has spent years navigating the responsibilities and dangers that come with wielding a power ring. Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart, meanwhile, enters the narrative as a new recruit still learning the realities of the job. Their relationship appears to lean heavily into a buddy-cop dynamic, with Hal guiding—and occasionally pushing—John into situations that force him to grow quickly.
One of the opening sequences for the Lanterns trailer highlights that mentorship in dramatic fashion. Hal intentionally drives a car off a cliff, forcing John to think on his feet and use his newly acquired Green Lantern abilities to save himself. The moment underscores both the danger of their mission and Hal’s unconventional training style. It also showcases the visual potential of the Lantern rings, which allow their wielders to create constructs of virtually any shape or size made entirely from green energy.
Despite the grounded tone of the murder investigation, the trailer also confirms that the show will embrace the larger mythology of the Green Lantern Corps. Brief glimpses reveal iconic elements from the comics, including the emerald power ring itself and the lantern-shaped power battery used to recharge it. Fans also spotted a quick reference to Ch’p, a fan-favorite extraterrestrial Lantern who resembles a small squirrel-like creature.
Lanterns boasts a large supporting cast that mixes original characters with figures drawn directly from DC lore. Kelly Macdonald plays Kerry, a small-town sheriff who becomes involved in the unfolding mystery. Nathan Fillion reprises his role as Guy Gardner—first introduced in the recent Superman film—as another member of the Green Lantern Corps and the Justice Gang.
Garret Dillahunt appears as William Macon, described as a modern-day cowboy, while Jason Ritter portrays Billy Macon, Kerry’s husband. Poorna Jagannathan plays Zoe, a character described as composed and cunning, and Ulrich Thomsen takes on the role of Sinestro, the infamous former Green Lantern who ultimately becomes one of the Corps’ greatest enemies.
Additional cast members include Nicole Ari Parker as Bernadette Stewart, John’s mother, and Sherman Augustus as John Stewart Sr., further exploring the hero’s personal life and background. Paul Ben-Victor will play Antaan, an extraterrestrial figure driven by a quest for truth, while Chris Coy portrays Waylon Sanders, a mysterious truck driver whose true identity remains unknown. Cary Christopher appears as Noah, a gifted child who may play a key role in the unfolding events. Laura Linney and Paula Patton are also attached to the series in currently undisclosed roles.
Behind the scenes, Lanterns is created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King. The trio brings a mix of television, comic book, and prestige drama experience to the project. Mundy, known for his work on “Ozark,” serves as showrunner, while Lindelof—co-creator of HBO’s acclaimed “Watchmen”—and King, a celebrated DC Comics writer, help shape the series’ story and tone.
The show is executive produced by Mundy, Lindelof, King, James Gunn, Peter Safran, James Hawes, and Ron Schmidt. As heads of DC Studios, Gunn and Safran are overseeing the broader launch of the new DC Universe, making Lanterns one of the franchise’s most significant early television projects. The series is produced by DC Studios in association with Warner Bros. Television.
With its mix of grounded storytelling, cosmic mythology, and character-driven drama, Lanterns appears poised to bring a fresh perspective to the Green Lantern saga. The trailer suggests a story that balances high-stakes superhero action with a compelling central mystery—one that may reveal just how far the reach of the Green Lantern Corps truly extends.
