The fourth episode of HBO's new superhero drama "Lanterns," titled "The Weenie," is set to premiere on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The episode will be available on both HBO and the streaming service HBO Max.
"Lanterns" explores a grittier take on the Green Lantern comics, focusing on the character John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre. The previous episode delved into Stewart's backstory, revealing how his mother made a deal with a Guardian to raise him to be fearless, positioning him to eventually become a Green Lantern. This origin contrasts with the upbringing of Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler.
The series is navigating the tension between Stewart and Jordan as they are involved in a hunt for "Manhunters." The central question remains how their animosity will affect their ability to find crucial clues and potentially save the day.
"Lanterns" is an HBO original series. To watch, viewers need an HBO subscription or an HBO Max subscription. An ad-supported HBO Max subscription costs $10.99 per month, while an ad-free version is $18.49 per month. Bundles including HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu are also available, with the ad-supported bundle priced at $19.99 per month and the ad-free bundle at $32.99 per month.
The first season of "Lanterns" is scheduled to have eight episodes, with new installments released on Sundays through October 4, 2026. The episode schedule includes:
- Episode 1: "Pilot" – August 16
- Episode 2: "Trust Fall" – August 23
- Episode 3: "OutKast" – August 30
- Episode 4: "The Weenie" – September 6
- Episode 5: September 13
- Episode 6: September 20
- Episode 7: September 27
- Episode 8: October 4
The cast of "Lanterns" includes Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry Kane, Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Jason Ritter as Billy Macon, and Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro. The series is a new Sunday night drama for HBO. The potential for a second season has not yet been announced, though HBO has expressed hopes for the show's success. An official trailer for "Lanterns" is available.