Poorna Jagannathan Joins HBO’s 'Lanterns' DC Universe Series
The women are coming to shine a light on their guys, it seems
Well, if Hal’s (potential) lady is already accounted for, it makes sense that John gets one too. Poorna Jagannathan has been cast on Lanterns, the upcoming Green Lantern series for HBO set in DC Studios’s budding DC Universe, starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.
Jagannathan will play Zoe, described as “effortlessly confident and poised in any setting, even those where she stands out” and “every bit as composed and cunning of the influential men around her”. And yes, she’s rumored to be the “love interest” for John Stewart, the Green Lantern played by Pierre. Once again, this seems to be an original character, as the only major Zoe in DC Comics is Zoe Lawton, the daughter of Deadshot, and them being the same would be far too presumptuous and a bit too trigger-happy to speculate on connective tissue, even if the series is considered where the universe starts to sprawl out.
Her being a recurring role allows Jagannathan to be a series regular on Onyx Collective’s upcoming Hulu comedy series Deli Boys at the same time. She returns to HBO having starred as Safar Khan in the miniseries The Night Of. She’s also known for her role in the Netflix comedy series Never Have I Ever, and stars in the Apple movie Wolfs.
Lanterns sees Pierre’s Stewart the new recruit being paired with Lantern legend Hal Jordan, played by Chandler, described as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.” Kelly Macdonald plays Hal’s reported love interest, Sheriff Kerry, who from character description doesn’t seem to start in the dating way at least, while Garret Dillahunt plays modern cowboy William Macon.
The eight-episode series is currently set to film from January to June in Atlanta. It comes from showrunner Chris Mundy, previously of Ozark, and co-writers and executive producers Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen) and Tom King. It is looking as if Lanterns is meant to premiere in early 2026, which would place it before Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow the universe’s second film, which is based on King’s own comic and set to be released in June 2026. James Hawes directs the first two episodes and also executive produces.
Source: Deadline