DC's 'Lanterns' Season 2 Fate Revealed: Greenlight Pending Epic Script
HBO’s “Lanterns” may get a second season, but its renewal depends on the strength of the new story being developed by the writers, according to DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran. The first season achieved significant viewership and successfully revitalized the Green Lantern property, concluding with key revelations and setting up future DC Universe connections.
HBO’s “Lanterns” series, adapted from DC Comics’ “Green Lantern” franchise, has successfully brought the iconic property back into the cultural conversation. Following a massively successful premiere and run for its first season, fans are eagerly awaiting news on a potential second season. DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran confirmed that an announcement regarding a Season 2 renewal should arrive “before the end of the year.” However, the decision is conditional, resting heavily on the quality of the story being developed in the writers’ room.
Safran emphasized that a second season would need to be a “worthy successor to a beloved and great first season.” He explicitly stated that the work being done on the Season 2 narrative will be the deciding factor for the series moving forward, highlighting that a compelling story is paramount to its continuation. For Safran, the most rewarding aspect of Season 1’s success has been seeing the “Green Lantern” property re-enter public discourse in a positive fashion, especially considering the character’s previous cinematic challenges.
The eight-episode first season, which wrapped up with its finale on October 4, successfully concluded the central mystery of who killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and revealed the identity of the second Manhunter. It also depicted how John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) becomes Earth’s sole Green Lantern, setting the stage for his role in DC Studios’ forthcoming “Superman” sequel, “Man of Tomorrow.” The series, created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, was lauded for its focus on the complicated relationship between John and Hal and its intriguing mystery set in the American heartland.
“Lanterns” garnered significant viewership, with its seventh episode reaching 7 million U.S. viewers in its first three days of availability. Previous episodes averaged over 12 million viewers per episode in the U.S., a figure that climbed to nearly 19 million when international viewing was included. Despite this strong performance, the future of Hal Jordan remains a talking point. When asked about the implications of John charging the ring at the end of the season, potentially signaling Hal’s definitive demise, Safran remained non-committal, telling fans they would have to continue waiting for a definitive answer.
All eight episodes of the critically acclaimed first season of “Lanterns” are currently available for streaming on HBO Max. Fans and enthusiasts will need to stay tuned for further updates on Season 2’s prospects, with an announcement anticipated before the end of the current year, contingent on the development of a story deemed worthy of the series’ high standard.