Lanterns

***Lanterns*** was an American television series that ran for five seasons from 2026 to 2032. It is based on the DC Comics heroes the Green Lanterns. It is the fourth television series of the DCU and the fourth in Chapter 1. It premiered on December 17, 2026 and ended on January 15, 2035.

## Plot Summary

### Season 1

Hal Jordan has been the Green Lantern of earth for 5 years and the Guardians believe that he is too brash and can’t follow the rules so he is paired with the new, by the books, rookie Lantern John Stewart. Hal and John have to work together to uncover a mystery hidden in the earth that is extra-terrestrial origin. But what they find may be more terrifying than anything they could ever imagine.

### Season 2

Hal Jordan and Jon Stewart have been off world ever since the events of Justice league: The New Frontier. They are sent back to earth after they receive a distress signal from the old and destroyed Manhunter. The Manhunter attacks them, and they do not know why, as it was previously decommissioned the Manhunter androids have gain sentience, and want to take revenge on the guardians of the universe after they decommission them, and replaced them with the green lanterns. Hal and John will have to work together to find a way to stop the Manhunters and what they are planning

### Season 3

Sinestro has broken out of Oa’s prison and discovers the entity of Fear. Hal Jordan and John Stewart must search for the fugitive who has now taken operations on earth, wanting revenge on Hal for causing the Guardians to revoke his ring and imprisoning him. John Stewart is tempted by Sinestro to join him as he could be a better hero using fear instead of willpower but overcomes the temptation in the end.

### Season 4

Several mysterious deaths happen that are a result of willpower energy similar to that of a Green Lantern. Hal and John investigate the earth for any potential rogue Green Lanterns and stop them from killing anyone else. Hidden is a serial killer that stumbled upon a device that can absorb energy from the emotional spectrum and uses this new gift to kill his victims and evade from the police. Hal and John discover this serial killer and discover his plans.

### Season 5

After the events of Blackest Night, various emotional entities have been going haywire due to the interference of the banished Guardian known as Krona. Krona plans on taking the powers of the entities and using them to kill all of the Guardians and using them to save the planet.

### Season 6

In the sixth and final season, Hal, John, and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps face off against their most powerful threat, the First Lantern. The First Lantern wants revenge on the Guardians for imprisoning him for decades and wants to destroy the Emotional Spectrum so that he can be set free,

## Cast

### Main

* Grey Damon as Hal Jordan
* Eli Goree as John Stewart
* Keith David as Ganthet
* Nina Dobrev as Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire
* Rupert Friend as Thaal Sinestro (Season 5-6)

### Recurring

* Ron Perlman as Kilowog
* Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
* Jessica Henwick as Katma Tui
* Kathy Bates as Sayd
* Tony Todd as The Centre (Season 1)
* China Anne McClain as Eleanor Stewart (Season 1 & Season 4)
* Brett Dalton as Jack Jordan (Season 1-2)
* Rupert Friend as Thaal Sinestro (Season 2-4)
* Taraji P. Henson as Shirley Stewart (Season 1, Season 3-4)
* Daniel Dae Kim as Lud (Season 2)
* Bill Skarsgard as William Hand/Black Hand (Season 4)
* Mark Hamill as Neuron (Season 4)
* Rami Malek as Roger Hayden/Psycho Pirate (Season 5)
* Tilda Swinton as The Entity (Season 5)
* Jackie Earle Haley as Krona (Season 5)
* Lee Pace as Saint Walker (Season 5)
* James McAvoy as Vol Thoom/First Lantern (Season 6)

### Guest

* Viola Davis as Amanda Waller (Season 1)
* Hayden Christensen as Neal Emerson/Dr Polaris (Season 2)
* Naomie Harris as Fatality (season 2)
* Fred Hechinger as Wally West/Flash (Season 2)
* David Harbour as Arkillo (Season 3)
* Ving Rhames as Atrocitus (season 4)
* Lupita Nyong'o as Indigo-1 (Season 4-5)
* Andy Serkis as Lar Fleeze (Season 4-5)
* Lee Pace as Saint Walker (Season 4-5)
* Bill Skarsgard as William Hand/Black Hand (Season 5)

## Reception

When it first premiered, *Lanterns* received critical acclaim from critics and audiences. "The Green Lantern characters have finally been handled well in live action and Lindelof managed to showcase the characters in a new and interesting format." It managed to keep that reception throughout the first season, praising the performances from Goree and Damon, as well as the slow burn writing, and effects.

When season 2 premiered, it received slightly positive reception. "Lindelof continues to make a great season of Lanterns, although this season was a step down from the first." While The Manhunters were well received better and were more fleshed out than the Centre, some felt that the build up to them were lackluster. The action was praised although some felt that all of the action took away from the writing of the more dramatic scenes. Lindelof stated that he wanted to focus more on the action and move away from the mystery genre, fearing that the show would repeat Lost's mistakes but saw that this was a mistake.

When season 3 premiered, it received positive reception. "After the action packed season, we return to a more slower pace which payed off in the end and felt that it struck a good balance between seasons 1 and 2 ." Lindelof and DeKnight managed to find a more equal balance to both of their wants, focusing on the character of Hal and John. On top of that, also dealing with the more personal threat of Sinestro and his new Lantern Corps and building the cosmic lore of not only the different Corps, but of the DCU. Rupert Friend's performance of Sinestro became a fan favorite.

When season 4 premiered, it received critical acclaim. "Despite Lindelof leaving the series, season 4 is as string as ever." The main villain this season, mainly being Black Hand, was considered the show's best villains. Many fans consider this season as the best one. Despite the praises, many felt that this season was a tad incomplete although when Justice League: Blackest Night released, many came to forgive the season's faults.

When season 5 premiered, it received positive reviews. "After the great performance of Skarsgard, we are given a sufficient performance from Haley" Many praised the performances of Goree and Friend, as well as their chemistry with Damon. Some thought the season's action packed premise was a breath of fresh air while still continuing to have the mystery element.

When Season 6 premiered it received critical acclaim. "DeKnight was able to give the show a great and heartfelt finale." Many praised the performance of McAvoy, as well as the special effects and Lovecraftian elements. Many fans wanted a seventh season after this one but still considered the series finale as a good conclusion to the show.

## Trivia

* Peter Safran recommended Damon Lindelof as the showrunner due to how the earlier seasons of *Lost* handled it's mysteries and thought that he would bring great value to the show. Steven S. DeKnight was later brought on after Lindelof was feeling pressured from season 2 and they worked on improving the show. Lindelof left after season 3, believing that the show was in good hands.
* The show was originally supposed to last for 5 seasons but after the reception and high ratings of past seasons they decided to renew the series for a shorter season 6.
* Rupert Friend was only supposed to appear in seasons 2 and 3 but due to being so well received as Sinestro he continued appearing and was promoted to part of the main cast for the final 2 seasons.