Despite dividing fan opinions, Lanterns has received largely positive reviews from critics and, according to HBO, is a ratings hit. The DC Studios TV series launched in August with 9.3 million global viewers and 6.6 million in the U.S. during its first three days on HBO and HBO Max.
Viewership numbers have been shared sporadically since, but Deadline recently reported that Lanterns is averaging 19.3 million global viewers overall and is closing in on 30 million viewers for the premiere, "Pilot."
Now, the trade has revealed that these numbers "[bode] well for a Season 2 renewal," which the outlet has heard is "pending."
That wording is a little confusing, as it could mean HBO is still waiting to make a decision or that the renewal will happen soon. It depends on your definition of "pending," but for fans of the DCU TV series, this news will be welcomed.
We should have more numbers to share with you soon, but the finale, "Dirt and Stars," is said to have received 7.2 million viewers in the U.S., which is an increase from the premiere.
Back to that 19.3 million global average, and that places it just beneath IT: Welcome to Derry (27.1 million) and The Penguin (19.8 million), both of which were considered successes. However, it took HBO a long time to greenlight a sequel to the former, so who knows what metrics the cable network looks at before making a decision.
A potential Season 2 could also hinge on the DCU's creative direction and what James Gunn has planned for John Stewart after his appearance in next summer's Man of Tomorrow. A writers' room has been assembled to discuss ideas, but based on what we last heard, they're still in the idea stage, and no scripts have been written.
"Lanterns' leads shine bright," we wrote in our Season 1 review, "but even they can't save this abysmal adaptation of the comics that, embarrassed by the source material it's based on, delivers a woefully bland and uninspired take on Green Lantern that's another miss for the DCU."
Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Alongside Kyle Chander and Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Nicole Ari Parker, Jason Ritter, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Jasmine Cephas Jones round out the cast.
Lanterns is now streaming in its entirety on HBO Max.