Who’s in HBO’s ‘Lanterns,’ based on DC’s Green Lantern comics?

Rather than zipping around the galaxy, Lanterns plants its story in the American heartland, pairing a seasoned Hal Jordan with a rookie John Stewart as they work a grim, Earth-bound case that pulls in wary locals and an old foe. The investigation runs through a small community where a no-nonsense sheriff, a troubled family named Macon, and the long shadow of the Green Lantern Corps’ past all collide.

DC die-hards will spot familiar ring-slingers alongside fresh faces. Nathan Fillion turns up as hothead Guy Gardner, Laura Linney is on board in a major role the show is keeping quiet for now, and Ulrich Thomsen plays Sinestro, the classic Lantern adversary whose presence hints the conspiracy stretches well beyond county lines.

Lanterns premieres August 16, 2026 on HBO, with 8 episodes rolling out weekly through October 4, 2026.

The partners and prime suspects

• Aaron Pierre — John Stewart, a brilliant young Green Lantern recruit drawn into a massive mystery.
• Kyle Chandler — Hal Jordan, the veteran Lantern guiding Stewart through a dangerous investigation.
• Nathan Fillion — Guy Gardner, the brash Lantern who makes key appearances across the season.
• Kelly Macdonald — Sheriff Kerry, a sharp local law officer dealing with an otherworldly threat on her turf.
• Laura Linney — an undisclosed but central role kept under wraps.
• Garret Dillahunt — William Macon.
• Jason Ritter — Billy Macon.
• Poorna Jagannathan — Zoe.
• Ulrich Thomsen — Sinestro.

Around town: the supporting players

The show fills out its rural setting with townspeople, family members, and figures who know more than they’re saying — some in the present, some in flashbacks.

• Nicole Ari Parker — Bernadette.
• J. Alphonse Nicholson — John Senior in flashbacks.
• Sherman Augustus — John Senior (present day), appearing throughout the season.
• Michael Ocampo — Deputy Lopez (4 episodes).
• Cary Christopher — Young Noah Macon (3 episodes).
• Hannah Christine Shetler — Maggie (3 episodes).
• Romeo Brown — Aaron Stewart (3 episodes).
• Shea Pritchard — Noah Macon, adult (3 episodes).
• Cairo Cash Lee — 10-Year-Old James (3 episodes).
• Justin Buchanan — Rushville student (3 episodes).
• Angela Mujukian — Chadbron High student (2 episodes).
• Noah Gibson-Slates — Adolescent Marcus Stewart (2 episodes).

Guest shots worth catching

• Paul Ben-Victor — Antaan (1 episode).
• Chris Coy — Waylon Sanders (1 episode).
• Jasmine Cephas Jones — Young Bernadette (flashback; 1 episode).
• Henry Samiri — Young Hal Jordan in a pivotal origin episode.
• Kent Shocknek — Local news anchor (1 episode).

Season 1 is built as a grounded detective story first, DC mythmaking second — with the Corps’ rings lighting up a mystery that starts on a two-lane backroad and points to something far bigger. The 8-episode run begins August 16, 2026 and continues weekly on HBO through October 4.