‘Lanterns’ Co-Creator Confirms the Next Chapter Is Already in Motion, But There’s a Catch
One of the best things about the DCU so far is how different each project feels from the last. ‘Creature Commandos’ is an animated Suicide Squad-style ensemble, ‘Peacemaker’ is a character-driven sci-fi series about mental health, ‘Superman’ is a glossy callback to comics’ golden age, and ‘Supergirl’ is a planet-hopping space opera. Now that its first season is over, a potential second season of ‘Lanterns‘ is the next question hanging over that lineup.
The ‘True Detective’-inspired HBO series premiered on August 16 and wrapped its eight-episode run on October 4. Season 1 brought the mystery to a close, with John Stewart solving the mystery behind Hal Jordan’s murder and finally accepting his role as Earth’s Green Lantern. That’s despite Guy Gardner holding the official title and John using an unauthorized lantern battery created by Sinestro.
Co-creator Damon Lindelof has confirmed that work on a second season is underway. Speaking to Collider’s Steve Weintraub about the finale, he said Season 2 is in the early stages of development, though he won’t be returning for it. He also said he does “not know anything” about what the sophomore story could be, but on continuing Hal’s story even after his death, he told Collider, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
The writers’ room has been active since before the show premiered. Showrunner Chris Mundy has been joined by Christopher Cantwell as co-showrunner. A report named Nakkiah Lui, Zack Whedon, Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and Vanessa Baden Kelly as part of the writing staff. Baden Kelly is the only Season 1 writer besides Mundy returning.
Lindelof and fellow co-creator Tom King won’t be part of the new season, as both are busy with their own new series, ‘The Chain’ and ‘Mister Miracle’. Lindelof said at the premiere that the first season was built as a self-contained mystery, adding in an interview with Screen Rant that “there’s a lot of runway to launch into future seasons.”
Despite the momentum, ‘Lanterns’ has not been formally renewed. Puck reported that the current work is limited to pitch pages, a renewal is not imminent, and HBO executives hope to continue the show.
The skepticism didn’t come from nowhere. HBO boss Casey Bloys told Deadline that nothing else is in active development at DC beyond ‘The People v. Gorilla Grodd’. Fans also read a lot into James Gunn confirming on Threads that the finale is a season finale rather than a series finale, though that is not an official renewal.
On paper, the case for renewal is strong. According to Variety, ‘Lanterns’ averaged nearly 19 million viewers per episode worldwide, with more than 12 million in the US. The penultimate episode drew 7 million US viewers in its first three days.
Not every comparison is flattering. One outlet noted the season is averaging below ‘The Penguin’, which never got a second season. Meanwhile, Forbes estimated that a second season might not arrive until somewhere between August and December 2028.
The trailer for the final episode of ‘LANTERNS’ has arrived! Premieres October 4 on HBO Max. https://t.co/N9zTdjrQnY
— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) September 28, 2026
The finale sees John take flight with his own Green Lantern oath, setting up his next appearance in next year’s ‘Man of Tomorrow’. Lindelof even said he’d love to see his ‘Watchmen’ star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II cast if he could get anyone involved in a second season.
For now, the work is happening quietly behind the scenes while fans wait for HBO to decide. Reviews were largely positive, though one critic found the finale’s twists predictable and Sinestro underused.
Should HBO renew Lanterns for Season 2?
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