HBO’s Lanterns: Krypton’s Aaron Pierre Confirmed to Play John Stewart — James Gunn Hails ‘Incredible’ Casting

Onetime Krypton resident Aaron Pierre is officially confirmed to play Green Lantern John Stewart in HBO’s Lanterns TV series, TVLine has learned.

Pierre’s TV credits also include NatGeo’s Genius: MLK/X and Prime Video’s The Underground Railroad miniseries, and he currently can be seen in Netflix’s well-reviewed Rebel Ridge action thriller.

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“Welcome to DC, Aaron Pierre,” DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn said on socials. “After a long and grueling series of auditions, I am absolutely sure we’ve found an incredible John Stewart.”

Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Bloodline) reportedly has signed on the dotted line to play Green Lantern Hal Jordan, though HBO/DC Studios thus far has yet to confirm that casting.

Produced by HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, Lanterns was given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order back in June, with Damon Lindelof and Eisner Award winner Tom King set to pen the script. Chris Mundy (True Detective: Night CountryOzark) will serve as showrunner and executive-produce with Lindelof and King.

Described by DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran as being “very much in the vein of True Detective,” Lanterns will follow new recruit John Stewart and legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

“John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters,” DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn said in June, “and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with [the feature film] Superman.”

Chapter 1 of that “unified DCU” — dubbed “Gods and Monsters” — officially launches with the animated series Creature Commandos, hitting Max on Dec. 5. On the film side, the new DCU will kick off with Gunn’s Superman, starring David Corenswet (The Politician) and flying into theaters July 11, 2025.

Want scoop on Lanterns, or for any other DC TV show ? Email InsideLine@tvline.com, and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line!

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