HBO's Lanterns has been making waves since its premiere, with the first two episodes setting up mysteries in Rushville, Nebraska, and a shocking event a decade later. But this week's installment, "OutKast," takes a sharp turn, diving deep into the origins of John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). It's a character-driven hour that unpacks his family's tangled history with the Green Lanterns and the Guardians of the Universe—and it makes clear why John carries a heavy grudge against Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), even as he's being groomed to take over.
In a recent interview, Chandler and Pierre opened up about the challenges of portraying their characters across two distinct timelines, the emotional weight of Episode 3, and a particularly intense scene with Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) that hit close to home for Chandler.
Playing Two Versions of Hal Jordan
Chandler, known for his roles in Friday Night Lights and Bloodline, admitted that tackling Hal at two different life stages was a unique challenge. "Well, first of all, I got a paycheck. Second of all, craft service was really good," he joked, before getting serious. "It was just another dynamic to it. You've already got a non-linear show, we're block shooting it, I'm playing two characters with a decade between the two of them." He added that the experience allowed him to explore a more squared-away version of Hal, and even poke fun at himself and others.
Pierre, who has been praised for his breakout role, echoed the sentiment, noting that the dual timelines added layers to both characters. The actors also shared their excitement about watching the premiere with a live audience, something they hadn't done before.
Episode 3: A Deep Dive into John Stewart's Roots
Episode 3 is a pivotal hour for John Stewart, and Pierre was effusive in his praise for the young actors who portrayed John and his siblings in flashback scenes. "I really hope that they get appropriately championed," he said. "They hit those emotional beats with such ease and truth." For Pierre, the episode was a gift, providing crucial backstory that informed his portrayal of John in both 2016 and 2026. "The more information, the better," he explained. "It just finds its way into every interaction, to the point where you can improvise and know exactly what your character would do."
The episode also sheds light on John's complicated family dynamics, which helps explain his resentment toward Hal. It's a layered performance that adds depth to the DCU's newest hero.
The Sinestro Scene That Got Personal
One of the most talked-about moments in the early episodes is Hal's confrontation with Sinestro. Chandler revealed that the scene, which was initially just dialogue, became unexpectedly personal. "There were emotional feelings going through my character that I, as an actor, wouldn't have expected," he said. "The missing father and Sinestro came together when we were doing that scene. It just became very personal."
Chandler credited the natural process of acting for the scene's power, noting that he didn't force the emotion—it simply emerged. "It wasn't a fun scene, it was a fulfilling scene afterwards," he added.
For fans of the DC universe, Lanterns continues to deliver compelling storytelling. If you're curious about Aaron Pierre's earlier DC work, check out his overlooked role in Syfy's Krypton. And for more on the show's deep-cut threats, see Episode 2's Manhunters. The series also draws comparisons to the 2011 film, which still outshines in one key way.
New episodes of Lanterns air Sundays on HBO and Max.
