'Lanterns' Season 2 Fate Officially Revealed [Exclusive]

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Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in the Lanterns finale

Published Oct 14, 2026, 4:38 PM EDT

The following contains spoilers for the ‘Lanterns’ Season 1 finale. Lanterns has officially finished its first season, but Green Lantern fans still have plenty to argue about. Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart has a ring, Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan has left viewers with some very big feelings, and the finale has given the DC Universe another hero to follow. Getting to the end of that story, however, has only made the question of what comes next harder to ignore. The HBO series gave one of DC’s most recognizable superhero properties a very different kind of screen adaptation. With Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King behind it, Lanterns built its first season around John and Hal’s complicated relationship and a mystery in the American heartland. Now that all eight episodes are available, fans are waiting to learn whether there’s another chapter coming.

Ahead of Clayface's premiere, DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran told Collider’s Steve Weintraub that fans should hear about a potential Lanterns Season 2 “before the end of the year.” That gives viewers a window for news, although Safran did not announce a renewal. He also confirmed that the work happening in the Season 2 writers’ room will help determine whether the series moves forward. Asked what he took away from the first season and its reception, Safran pointed to what the show had accomplished for Green Lantern following the character’s 2011 movie. He described the series as a success in bringing the property back into the public conversation. For him, that was the most rewarding part of its first season:

“This was one great season of television based on a property that had been somewhat irradiated since 2011, right? The thing that's most gratifying about this show and this season on HBO is that it's brought Green Lantern back into the conversation, into the public culture in a really positive fashion.”

‘Lanterns’ Season 2 Needs a Story Worth Returning For

Safran’s enthusiasm for the first season comes with a clear requirement for the next one. DC wants a follow-up that can meet the standard he believes the show has already set. As he explained: “If we're able to come up with what we believe to be a worthy successor to a beloved and great first season, that's what's going to dictate whether there's a second season.”

When Weintraub asked whether the writers’ room coming up with something worthy of another season was the deciding factor, Safran answered, “Yes.” He gave the same answer when asked whether that was what they were waiting on. The next story is being developed, but a second season remains conditional. Safran was less forthcoming about one of the finale’s biggest talking points. Asked whether John charging the ring at the end of the season means Hal is fully dead, he said, “I can't weigh in on what it means when he charges the ring at the end of the season.” Fans hoping for a definitive answer about Hal’s future will have to keep waiting, alongside those watching for a renewal.

All eight episodes of Lanterns are streaming on HBO Max. According to Safran, fans should hear more about Season 2's prospects before 2026 is over. Stay tuned at Collider for more updates.