Lanterns season 1 release schedule: When is episode 2 available to stream?

The DC Universe has expanded once again with Lanterns, a new HBO show that begins as a murder mystery, but morphs into something far more cosmic.

Based on the long-running DC Comics Green Lantern mythos, the series centres on veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a murder in a small Nebraskan town.

The show was announced back in January 2023 as part of writer-director James Gunn's new vision for Warner Bros' shared DC Universe, and co-creators Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King have spoken openly about taking inspiration from previous HBO property, True Detective.

But that didn’t stop fans questioning the show’s creative direction upon the release of the first trailer, with many expressing dismay at the series's drab colour palette (and lack of visible green) and its subdued characters.

But, with the first episode now out, you can watch the series and make a decision for yourself! Read on for everything you need to know about the release schedule.

When is episode 2 of Lanterns released in the UK?

The second episode of Lanterns arrives on HBO Max in the UK on Monday 24 August at 2am BST, meaning it's available to watch now!

The episode will drop a little earlier in the US on Sunday 23 August 2026.

The new series is being released in weekly instalments. Read on for the full release schedule.

Episodes of Lanterns are dropping on Sunday evenings in the US, while UK-based fans will get each instalment a little later on Monday mornings.

The full release schedule is as follows:

• Episode 1 – Sunday 16 August 2026 (US, out now) / Monday 17 August 2026 (UK, out now)
• Episode 2 – Sunday 23 August 2026 (US) – Monday 24 August 2026 (UK)
• Episode 3 – Sunday 30 August 2026 (US) – Monday 31 August 2026 (UK)
• Episode 4 – Sunday 6 September 2026 (US) – Monday 7 September 2026 (UK)
• Episode 5 – Sunday 13 September 2026 (US) – Monday 14 September 2026 (UK)
• Episode 6 – Sunday 20 September 2026 (US) – Monday 21 September 2026 (UK)
• Episode 7 – Sunday 27 September 2026 (US) – Monday 28 September 2026 (UK)
• Episode 8 – Sunday 4 October 2026 (US) – Monday 5 October 2026 (UK)

How many episodes are there in Lanterns season 1?

Lanterns season 1 consists of eight episodes, which are being released weekly. The finale is expected to drop on 5 October 2026 in the UK.

Is there a trailer for Lanterns season 1?

Yes, as detailed above, HBO Max released a full-length official trailer ahead of the series' premiere, which left fans divided on the show's approach to the comic book material upon which it is based...

You can watch the footage for yourself below:

Lanterns is on HBO Max from Monday 17 August 2026 in the UK.

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Authors

Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.