Aaron Pierre Cast as John Stewart in DC’s Lanterns Series, Joining Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan

Lanterns, the highly anticipated series from DC Studios and HBO, has officially found its John Stewart in Rebel Ridge star Aaron Pierre. Pierre, a rising talent in Hollywood, will be taking on the iconic role of one of DC’s first Black superheroes, John Stewart, marking a major casting decision in one of DC’s most scrutinized searches in recent years.

The casting announcement follows a heated competition between Pierre and actor Stephan James (Race, The Piano Lesson), with both contenders participating in screen tests last week. The final decision came down on Tuesday, securing Pierre’s place in the series, where he will star alongside Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Bloodline), who has already been cast as Hal Jordan.

For Pierre, this isn’t his first brush with the comic book realm—he was previously cast in Marvel Studios’ Blade, though that project has since evolved. Additionally, fans may recognize him from his recent role in M. Night Shyamalan’s graphic novel adaptation Old or his commanding performance in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, which recently topped global charts on the streaming platform.

The Lanterns series promises a dark, gritty tone akin to True Detective, following Hal Jordan, a seasoned Green Lantern, as he reluctantly mentors the younger John Stewart. The two are pulled into a shadowy Earth-based mystery, investigating a murder in the heartland of America. The dynamic between the two intergalactic cops is sure to be a driving force behind the show, blending cosmic action with intense, grounded drama.

Veteran TV director James Hawes, known for his work on Slow Horses, is slated to direct the first two episodes of the eight-episode season. With heavy-hitters like Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, Lost), and comic book writer Tom King involved as executive producers, the show has no shortage of creative firepower.

The character of John Stewart was first introduced in Green Lantern #87 in 1971 by Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams, quickly becoming a fan favorite and an essential figure in DC’s expanding universe. Stewart’s portrayal in the new series adds a layer of excitement as it brings to life one of DC’s most celebrated characters in live-action form.

This marks another big win for Pierre, whose recent performances include playing Malcolm X in Genius: MLK/X and starring alongside Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan in Foe. He’ll also be taking on the lead role of Mufasa in Disney’s upcoming Lion King prequel directed by Barry Jenkins, further cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s rising stars.

Fans of the Green Lantern mythos can look forward to Lanterns bringing both Hal Jordan and John Stewart to the screen in a thrilling and dynamic way that bridges cosmic adventure and gritty detective storytelling.