Lanterns season 1 is going to wrap up this weekend after just eight episodes, and I’m not ready. The show seemed like a neat idea with strong casting when it was first revealed. Now it has me obsessed. It’s hands-down the best comic book show on TV and one of HBO’s strongest shows in a while. I’m not ready for it to go away.
Episode 8 could take things in a dozen different directions. It feels like every week brings new fan theories, only for the one that follows to rip them to shreds. Is Hal Jordan really dead? Will Sinestro go full Yellow Lantern? Will John Stewart get to finally unleash his powers and offload some childhood trauma in the process? Will the final episode be half flashbacks? I honestly could not tell you. The only thing I know is I will be seated and feeling completely empty once the final credits roll.
Don’t be afraid — to be afraid.
Stream the season finale of #Lanterns Sunday at 9pm on HBO Max. pic.twitter.com/2RKEKYek1U
— HBO Max (@hbomax) October 1, 2026
HBO has yet to confirm if Lanterns will be renewed for a season 2. The first season has felt pretty self-contained, but there are plenty of threads for the writers to continue tugging on. Plus I wouldn’t be shocked if episode 8 concludes with another big cliffhanger and more questions than answers. Lanterns continues to be bringing in millions of viewers at a time when creating a hit new TV show has never been harder.
There are already rumors flying about the convening of a season 2 writers’ room, and DCU boss James Gunn has been very coy about the difference between a “season” finale and a “series” finale on his social media account. I assume HBO will make the renewal announcement right after episode 8 finishes airing on Sunday.
But a Lanterns season 2 still wouldn’t be arriving anytime soon, and in the meantime I’ll be without one of the coolest, funniest, most big-hearted prestige genre shows currently on TV. At least there will be a ton of Green Lantern comics to go back and dig through. And Slow Horses is finally back on Apple. Both will be like filling in a giant hole with a toy beach shovel.