‘Lanterns’ Season 2 Isn’t Greenlit Yet, and Peter Safran Explains What It Will Take

When HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ arrived, it carried the weight of reviving one of DC’s most storied properties. Adapted from DC Comics’ ‘Green Lantern’ franchise, which follows an intergalactic police force, the series was tasked with restoring a character whose reputation had taken a hit since the poorly received 2011 film.

By most measures, the show delivered. Its seventh episode reportedly reached 7 million viewers in the U.S. within its first 3 days, and all 8 episodes are now streaming on HBO Max. Despite that success, a second season still hasn’t been ordered.

Speaking with Collider’s Steve Weintraub ahead of the ‘Clayface’ premiere, DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran explained that the show’s future depends entirely on what the writers’ room comes up with.

“If we’re able to come up with what we believe to be a worthy successor to a beloved and great first season, that’s what’s going to dictate whether there’s a second season,” Safran told Collider. When asked if that was the deciding factor, he simply answered yes.

Safran didn’t give an exact date, but he did offer a timeline. He said fans should expect news on whether ‘Lanterns’ will return before the end of the year. In a separate conversation with IGN, Safran was also asked directly whether Season 2 had been greenlit. He confirmed that it has not.

No evil shall escape their sight. Watch the official trailer now. #Lanterns arrives August 16 on @hbomax. https://t.co/PQdkto9G2R

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 24, 2026

The development process has been underway for some time. Co-creator Damon Lindelof previously revealed that showrunner Chris Mundy had started a writers’ room to explore new stories, which has reportedly been working on spec since August.

Mundy himself said the day after the finale that nothing was official yet. His plans for a potential second season would reportedly keep the story set on Earth. The lack of a renewal has been consistent for months. Back in September, HBO boss Casey Bloys indicated that a second season wasn’t happening at that time.

Studios often pay writers to develop a possible season before committing to production. That approach allows DC Studios to make sure a follow-up meets its standards before moving forward.

The blackest night has yet to come. New trailer for the final three episodes of ‘LANTERNS’. You’re not ready. https://t.co/nWxJ5cZdPh

— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) September 17, 2026

Safran was especially proud of what the first season accomplished for the property. He said the most rewarding part of its success was seeing Green Lantern back in the cultural conversation in a positive way.

That turnaround is significant given the character’s rocky history on screen. For DC, a strong second season could cement the franchise’s comeback. Reactions to Safran’s comments have been mixed.

Some fans interpreted the “worthy successor” requirement as a sign that the show had underperformed, despite its strong viewership numbers. Others urged the writers’ room to deliver a story bold enough to earn the renewal. Either way, Safran has now set a public bar that the creative team will need to clear.

With an end-of-year deadline in place, the coming weeks will be crucial for the series. Whether the writers can craft a story ambitious enough to satisfy DC Studios will determine if the Lanterns fly again.

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