With only one episode left in HBO's Lanterns, the series has jumped a decade past its 2016 storyline, inching closer to solving the mystery that's haunted the show from the start: who killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler)?
Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) has summoned John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) back to Rushville, but the truth is that Hal and John's final conversation happened just hours before Hal's body was found on those bleachers. Before that, Hal had been trying to make amends for the events of a decade prior, even as the townsfolk—including Kerry's ex, Billy Macon (Jason Ritter)—still carry deep resentment toward the Green Lantern. While the show edges toward revealing Hal's killer, it also highlights how Rushville has been permanently altered by 2016.
In a recent interview, Macdonald and Ritter opened up about playing multiple versions of their characters across timelines, the emotional weight of Kerry's Episode 7 reunion with the Halogram, and why Billy's decision to confront John Stewart is a terrible idea.
Kerry's Gotham Past Shapes Her Present
Macdonald explained that Kerry's backstory—fleeing Gotham with people wanting her dead—was crucial to understanding her. "She signs her life over basically to Rushville," Macdonald said, noting that the town becomes her family. Filming a younger, "gothy" Kerry with bangs and fancy makeup was a treat, she added.
Billy vs. Julian: Who Would You Want in Court?
When asked whether he'd pick Billy or his Matlock character Julian to represent him legally, Ritter laughed: "I would definitely pick Julian." He reasoned that Billy suffers from "big-fish-in-a-little-pond syndrome," relying on local connections rather than legal expertise. "Maybe Julian with a mustache," he joked.
The Halogram Reunion: A Boardwalk Empire Flashback
Macdonald described the Episode 7 scene where Kerry confronts a saved version of Hal from his ring—a moment that required little dialogue but immense emotion. "It's tricky because Hal Jordan's still Hal Jordan," she said, but working with Kyle Chandler made it easy. She recalled a similar experience on Boardwalk Empire, where her character discovers a lover's body, and the actor was hidden until the camera rolled to capture her genuine reaction.
"He walked on, and just one look in his eyes, and he was not the person that's got a history with Kerry," Macdonald said, praising Chandler's professionalism. The scene, she noted, was a testament to the show's ability to balance toughness and vulnerability.
As Lanterns hurtles toward its finale, the emotional stakes are higher than ever. For more on the series' gritty detective approach, check out Chris Mundy's long-term plan for the show, and don't miss the Episode 5 analysis that digs into the Atrocitus miss.
