Why Kyle Chandler Saw Himself in DC's New Ageing Superhero Role for 'Lanterns'

At 60 years old, actor Kyle Chandler found himself reflecting on the concept of an ageing-out superhero, a realization that immediately drew him to the script for Lanterns, DC’s new HBO drama. Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King, the eight-part series streams on OSN+ and pairs Chandler’s character, Hal Jordan, with Aaron Pierre, who plays John Stewart. Both actors star as members of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force equipped with rings that grant them the ability to fly and materialize nearly anything they imagine.

While Hal has spent years on the job, John—a former US Marine—is a recent recruit. Their paths cross during an investigation into a murder in the American heartland, just as the veteran hero begins questioning how much longer he can sustain the work. Despite connecting deeply with the character's internal mindset, Chandler admitted to feeling intimidated by the scale of a superhero production during the initial table read.

To find his grounding, Chandler leaned into the script's humour, discovering a shared creative rhythm with Pierre. The two actors quickly bonded over a mutual appreciation for improvisation and comedic timing, encouraging each other to take creative risks throughout the production.

Reflecting on Hal’s complex psychological background, Chandler compared the role to his past performances in Friday Night Lights and Netflix's Bloodline, noting the heavy burdens and dark decisions accumulated over a long career. Meanwhile, the off-screen dynamic between Pierre, a council estate boy from South London, and Chandler, a rural Texan, translated into a compelling on-screen friction that enriched their characters' partnership.

Although the series weaves in elements of the wider DC universe—such as a local sheriff played by Kelly Macdonald—the narrative remains largely focused on the human elements and a True Detective-style murder mystery. Lanterns premieres on OSN+ in the Middle East.