DC Studios has unveiled a new teaser for its highly anticipated HBO Max original drama Lanterns, giving fans another glimpse at the gritty take on the iconic Green Lantern mythology while revealing Academy Award-nominated actress Laura Linney in her first footage from the series.
The drama, which premieres Sunday, Aug. 16 on HBO and will stream on HBO Max, stars Kyle Chandler as veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as rookie John Stewart. Rather than focusing solely on cosmic adventures, Lanterns takes a darker, grounded approach that blends superhero action with a murder mystery set in America’s heartland.
The newly released teaser hints at the show’s noir-inspired tone, introducing viewers to the uneasy partnership between Jordan and Stewart as they investigate a mysterious homicide with potentially universe-altering consequences. The footage also offers the first look at Linney, whose casting had generated significant buzz among DC fans eager to see what role the acclaimed actress will play in the expanding DC Universe.
Joining Chandler, Pierre and Linney is an impressive ensemble cast that includes Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Jason Ritter, Ulrich Thomsen, Nathan Fillion, J. Alphonse Nicholson and Jasmine Cephas Jones.
The series follows John Stewart, a promising new recruit in the Green Lantern Corps, as he is paired with the legendary Hal Jordan. Together, the two intergalactic peacekeepers find themselves investigating what appears to be an ordinary murder. As the mystery deepens, however, they uncover secrets that could have far-reaching consequences, forcing them to confront dangers much closer to Earth than either expected.
Lanterns represents another major step in DC Studios’ new interconnected universe under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. The project has assembled an accomplished creative team, with Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and acclaimed comic book writer Tom King serving as co-creators. Mundy also serves as showrunner.
The first two episodes are directed by James Hawes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel and Alik Sakharov directing additional installments throughout the season.
Unlike previous live-action Green Lantern adaptations that leaned heavily into large-scale visual spectacle, Lanterns appears to draw inspiration from prestige crime dramas, combining grounded storytelling with the rich mythology of DC’s cosmic heroes. The approach has already sparked excitement among fans hoping for a fresh interpretation of one of DC Comics’ most beloved franchises.
With an acclaimed cast, an award-winning creative team and a darker storytelling style, Lanterns is shaping up to be one of the biggest television premieres of the summer when it arrives on Aug. 16.