The upcoming DC TV show, Lanterns, will do something new for the franchise when it premieres in 2026: it will be the first series in 74 years to focus on the Green Lanterns. Starring Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler as John Stewart and Hal Jordan, the HBO Max series will introduce these well-known heroes into the new DC Universe, but it’s notably different from other DC superhero shows in a significant way.
The upcoming show Lanterns will be the first live-action DC team-up series in over 70 years to focus on just two main heroes. While the title Lanterns suggests a team, the show centers on the partnership of Hal and John, a smaller group than typically seen in other DC team-up shows.
Ever since the first live-action DC TV show, Adventures of Superman (1952), shows featuring teams of superheroes have always included at least three heroes. We’re not counting shows focused on just two leads – like Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman – because Lois Lane doesn’t have superpowers.
The upcoming series Lanterns will do something different with its superhero focus. Instead of featuring a large team, the show will primarily center on Hal Jordan and John Stewart, though other Green Lanterns will appear as guests. This breaks a 74-year pattern in DC television that started in 1952, making the show a noteworthy addition to the DC Universe. The first look at Lanterns also suggests a unique approach to storytelling.
Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, the upcoming HBO series Lanterns is a detective story with two partners, similar in style to True Detective. It’s expected to be released sometime in 2026.
DC’s Live-Action Superhero Ensemble TV Shows
Birds of Prey
Before Margot Robbie starred in the recent Birds of Prey movie, there was a Birds of Prey TV show on The WB in 2002. It featured three heroines: Huntress (played by Ashley Scott), Batgirl (Dina Meyer), and Dinah Lance (Rachel Skarsten). Though it only lasted for one season with 13 episodes, the show was a pioneering superhero series for its time, debuting alongside Smallville on The WB.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
In 2016, The CW launched its first team-up show within its popular Arrowverse of superhero series: DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. The show brought together heroes from existing Arrowverse programs and introduced new characters from DC Comics.
The team usually consisted of Sara Lance as Black Canary (played by Caity Lotz), Ray Palmer as the Atom (Brandon Routh), Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill), Martin Stein and Jax, who together formed Firestorm (Victor Garber and Franz Drameh), Kendra Saunders as Hawkgirl (Ciara Renee), Mick Rory as Heatwave (Dominic Purcell), Leonard Snart as Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller), and Carter Hall as Hawkman (Frank Hentschel).
Titans
The Teen Titans, a popular DC team known from comics and cartoons, recently had a successful four-season run as a live-action TV show. The team originally consisted of Dick Grayson (played by Brenton Thwaites), Starfire (Anna Diop), Raven (Teagan Croft), and Beast Boy (Ryan Potter). Later, other heroes like Superboy and Robin joined the group.
Doom Patrol
The superhero series Doom Patrol originally debuted on the now-defunct DC Universe streaming service before finding a home on HBO Max. The show centers around a group of flawed and tragic heroes – Jane, Elasti-Woman, Mr. Nobody, Negative Man, Robotman, and Cyborg – who form an unlikely team.
Although initially independent, Doom Patrol did have a short-lived connection with the shared universe of other DC TV shows like those in the Arrowverse and Titans.
Watchmen
Before creating Lanterns, Damon Lindelof successfully produced Watchmen for HBO – a limited series based on the famous comic by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen had a diverse cast playing unique superheroes, including Regina King, Yahya Abdul-Matteen II, Tim Blake Nelson, and Don Johnson.
While distinct from Zack Snyder’s Watchmen movie, the series was a critical and commercial success, earning Emmy Awards and high praise from reviewers.
Gotham Knights
DC’s latest team-based TV show was Gotham Knights, and it’s currently the most recent superhero series to air on The CW. The show followed a group of young, unconventional heroes connected to Batman’s history – including Bruce Wayne’s adopted son, Turner Hayes, the Row siblings, Carrie Kelley (Robin), and Duela, who is the Joker’s daughter.
In Gotham Knights, a group of heroes teamed up to protect Gotham City and solve the mystery surrounding Bruce Wayne’s death.
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2026-02-05 06:35