‘Lanterns’ Episode 3 First Look: New Stills Tease This Sunday’s HBO Return

HBO’s approach to superhero television has never been about flash for flash’s sake, and ‘Lanterns‘ has leaned hard into that tradition since its debut. Rather than chasing cosmic spectacle, the series has positioned itself closer to a grounded detective drama, trading capes-and-cowl theatrics for a slow-burn mystery rooted in the American heartland.

That tonal choice has made ‘Lanterns’ one of the more distinctive entries in the growing DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. Aaron Pierre stars as rookie Green Lantern John Stewart, paired with Kyle Chandler’s seasoned veteran Hal Jordan, as the two intergalactic cops investigate a murder that pulls them deep into a case with unsettling implications.

Now, fresh stills from Episode 3 have surfaced, giving fans their clearest look yet at what’s coming next. The new episode is set to release this Sunday on HBO and HBO Max, continuing the show’s weekly Sunday night rollout following its August 16 premiere.

The newly released images feature the show’s wider ensemble, including Kelly Macdonald, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Jason Ritter, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, and Laura Linney, alongside leads Pierre and Chandler. That range of faces reflects just how much of ‘Lanterns’ hinges on its supporting cast, especially as the show digs deeper into its mystery-of-the-week structure layered with a larger cosmic throughline.

Behind the camera, the series has spread directing duties across several filmmakers throughout its eight-episode run. Slow Horses director James Hawes helmed the first two episodes, while Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov have taken on additional installments, giving the show a bit of visual variety while showrunner Chris Mundy keeps the overarching story on track.

Created by Mundy alongside Damon Lindelof and Tom King, ‘Lanterns’ draws clear inspiration from prestige detective dramas, with the show’s tone often compared to ‘True Detective.’ With eight total episodes on the docket, the season is scheduled to wrap with its finale on October 4.

Despite the show’s early buzz, HBO has not yet confirmed a second season. Mundy addressed the show’s future directly, telling The Hollywood Reporter that he and his fellow writers have already begun thinking ahead to what a follow-up season could look like, even though the process remains in its early stages.

According to Mundy, the team is still working through the broad strokes of a potential Season 2 story, describing the writers as roughly six weeks into breaking out the season. He’s been careful to frame any renewal as dependent on audience response, telling reporters he’s hopeful a second season comes together but that the outcome ultimately depends on whether viewers respond to the show.

For now, all eyes are on Sunday’s Episode 3 release, which will keep pushing Stewart and Jordan’s partnership further into the show’s central mystery. With five episodes still to come after this weekend, ‘Lanterns’ still has plenty of time to build toward whatever cosmic revelation is waiting at the end of Season 1.

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