HBO Sci-Fi Detective Series Lanterns Becomes Streaming Hit

HBO has a long history of producing prestige television. Network shows like The Sopranos and Sex and the City remain regular fixtures on top television lists. Alongside its original programming and franchises like Game of Thrones, the network regularly launches hits that capture widespread attention.

James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios in 2022 to build out the DCU. They started with a specific slate of movies and characters before getting to work. One of their earliest pitches to Warner Bros. was the new show Lanterns. Set in Rushville, Nebraska, the series is described as the DCU version of True Detective. The performance of the first three episodes proves that HBO has a major hit on its hands.

The third episode, titled “OutKast”, brought in 10 million global viewers to HBO Max, setting a series high early in its run. Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, the series explores a 2016 mystery featuring Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, and John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre. Since its premiere, the first episode has accumulated over 20 million views on the streaming platform, while episode 3 reached 10 million views within three days of its release. The series also holds a 92% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

What Makes Lanterns Stand Out

Lanterns explores the boundaries of the superhero genre while highlighting what makes the Lantern Core a compelling part of DC Comics history. Green Lanterns are defined by fearlessness, and the show contrasts two distinct men: one privileged enough to claim he has no fear, and another raised never to let fear stunt him. While the mystery drives the narrative forward—highlighted by a shocking twist at the end of episode 1—the core of the series lies in its exploration of what it truly means to be a Green Lantern.

Audiences can catch the latest episodes of Lanterns on HBO to follow Chandler as Hal Jordan and Pierre as John Stewart.

Source: Polygon