Lanterns Season 2 Is Ready To Switch Main Characters

Published Oct 17, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT

Ben is a Senior Writer on the New TV team at Screen Rant. He graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class B.A. Degree in English Literature and History.

Born and raised in Ireland, Ben has always had a love for storytelling in all forms of media and operates multiple projects under the name Benjamin Blogs. Ben is a comic book writer and podcast host, in addition to his work as an entertainment journalist. He has worked as both a writer and editor for Screen Rant, Collider, and other media outlets across various departments, including features, news, reviews, and interviews.

Throughout Lanterns season 1, there was a central contention between John Stewart and Hal Jordan, but season 2 could see a dramatic shift in the narrative. While HBO's Lanterns was frequently marketed as a True Detective-style series, with a tense mystery at the heart of the story and a fascinating partnership that constantly raised the stakes, it is no longer possible to repeat the process in future seasons.

In part, John's progression to the point of becoming the Green Lantern of Earth massively alters the dynamics, but the primary reason that Lanterns can't do more of the same is because Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan is now dead and gone. While that fact was revealed as early as episode 1, the show's non-linear format gave it some wiggle room to tell the story and explore Hal and John's relationship.

Lanterns would need to drastically alter the plot, the tone, and even the core cast in order to tell an effective story in season 2. Fortunately, it's clear who would also take over as the lead of the show and provide the core connection for audiences to cling to moving forward.

Lanterns Season 2 Would Put John Front & Center

It will come as no surprise to anyone that John Stewart is the obvious and clear choice to lead a future season of Lanterns. However, it is fascinating to consider how the series could evolve around John. From a gritty and grounded mystery story that took place in a small town, USA, the show has the potential to move off-world, or to simply incorporate other members of the wider Green Lantern Corps.

John may have established himself with a brand-new version of the oath, but the show is still called Lanterns, plural, and there is plenty of runway to see how the Guardians deal with Guy Gardner informing them that John Stewart has taken over guarding Earth. And of course, seeing John find a way to operate on a planet inhabited by other metahumans would prove to be an incredibly entertaining new adventure.

The result is that Lanterns season 2 could end up looking very different to what came before, shifting genres, tackling new conflicts, and exploring a different side of John Stewart. That being said, there is another way that the show could cling to the True Detective style for at least another season.

Could John Stewart's Lantern Find A New Partner?

One of the defining features of the True Detective anthology series is the central relationship between the detectives who lead each new season. While Lanterns season 1 put the spotlight on John Stewart and Hal Jordan, Lanterns could potentially follow this up with John Stewart finding a new partner in his fight against evil.

John may have told Guy Gardner's Green Lantern to leave Earth to him, but considering Guy hails from Earth, it's hard to imagine he would be so quick to leave his home behind. In this way, Guy and John could end up working together, leading to conflict which could eventually give way to deeper understanding and a mutual respect.

There is also the potential for John to begin working alongside some other Lanterns from beyond the Solar System, potentially learning new ways to wield the power of the Green Lanterns ring. And beyond even that, John may end up working with other heroes on Earth, such as Superman, Supergirl, the Justice Society, or heroes who have yet to be introduced officially to the DCU.

In all eventualities, there is plenty of room to continue to explore the story of John Stewart, further reveal details about the Green Lantern Corps, and continue to carry the same tone and style forward with new characters joining the series and providing a counter to the stoic John Stewart. With all of that in mind, Lanterns could keep building out a thrilling corner of the DCU, as long as they have the right cast and story.

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  Kyle Chandler

  Hal Jordan

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  Aaron Pierre

  John Stewart