DC’s Lanterns Showrunner Breaks Down Huge John Stewart/Hal Jordan Bond, Praises Star Aaron Pierre

When you’ve got someone like Aaron Pierre stepping into the role of John Stewart in HBO’s upcoming “Lanterns” series, maybe we should actually pay attention. And honestly, after diving into his story, it’s pretty clear why this guy might just be exactly what the DC Universe needs right now. 

Aaron Pierre’s Journey to Lanterns: From Humble Beginnings to DC’s Next Big Hero

You know what’s refreshing? A superhero origin story that doesn’t involve a silver spoon or a trust fund. Pierre’s journey to “Lanterns” reads more like a masterclass in perseverance than your typical Hollywood fairy tale. Growing up in West Croydon’s council estate housing, this guy went from washing hair in his mom’s friend’s salon to potentially becoming DC‘s next breakout star.

He said on Men’s Health, “I would take their jackets. I would offer them a magazine and a hot or cold beverage of their choice.” When asked if he’d like to try doing hair, he jumped at the chance. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well. “I did one shampoo and was kindly asked to go back to hanging coats,” he admits with the kind of self-deprecating humor that makes you actually root for the guy.

Here’s where things get interesting—and where “Lanterns” might actually stand out in the oversaturated superhero landscape. According to showrunner Chris Mundy (the guy behind Ozark and True Detective), this isn’t just another cape-and-tights adventure. The series pairs Pierre’s John Stewart with Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan in what Mundy describes as “as much of a buddy cop show as a superhero show.”

Lanterns: Why Aaron Pierre Was Perfect Casting for John Stewart

Because apparently, what we really needed was “True Detective” meets Green Lantern. And you know what? That actually sounds pretty compelling. Let’s talk about why Pierre landed this role for “Lanterns” because it wasn’t just about looking good in green (though let’s be honest, at 6’3″ with that presence, he probably does). Mundy saw something specific in the actor that goes beyond the physical requirements.

Munday said on Deadline, “So much of the power that John has is by not taking the bait, understanding that you lose your power if you’re yelling and screaming, That’s what we’re trying to convey: He knows he belongs, so he doesn’t have to overcompensate.” For Pierre, playing Jon Stewart represents something a lot deeper.

He said on his interview with Men’s Health, “For me, the character just radiates strength and fortitude. That hunger to be the best version of yourself, which also holds you accountable when you’re not.” Taking on John Stewart, the first Black Green Lantern who became the Green Lantern for many fans thanks to the early-2000s Justice League animated series, comes with serious expectations.

Mundy added on Deadline that Pierre “felt a responsibility, especially as a Black man playing this particular role, to make sure he really understood him and brought him to life.” It’s refreshing to see an actor who understands the weight of the role without getting overwhelmed by it. Pierre seems to grasp that John Stewart isn’t just another superhero—he’s a symbol, particularly for Black comic book fans who saw themselves represented in a powerful, competent hero.

Final Thoughts

The real test will be whether they can balance the buddy cop elements with the cosmic Green Lantern mythology without losing what makes both concepts work. But if Pierre’s career trajectory is any indication, this is a guy who knows how to handle pressure and deliver when it counts.