‘Lanterns’ Final Episode Press Conference with the Cast

Aaron Pierre stars in 'Lanterns'. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max. — Aaron Pierre stars in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

‘Lanterns’ debuted on HBO and HBO Max on August 16th and aired the season one finale on October 4th. The DC series follows John Stewart and Hal Jordan as they investigate a murder in the small, rural town of Rushville.

Moviefone attended a press conference for ‘Lanterns’ featuring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.

Related Article: TV Review: ‘Lanterns

1) Aaron Pierre & Kyle Chandler Being So Different Is Part Of What Makes ‘Lanterns’ So Good

(L to R) Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in 'Lanterns'. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max. — (L to R) Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

When talking about the dynamics of the series as a whole, Aaron Pierre points out that the two leads, himself and Kyle Chandler, are very different. This is part of what makes the show so enjoyable.

Aaron Pierre: Kyle and I couldn’t be any more different and I think they did that intentionally. Kyle and I are from two different places in the world. We have two very different upbringings, two very different journeys. But that is, what Kyle and I discovered instantly, but also, of course, on a much more deeper level throughout the six months that we were filming, is that we have far more in common than anything else.

2) Kyle Chandler Got Emotional Watching The ‘Lanterns’ Season Finale

Kyle Chandler in 'Lanterns'. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max. — Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

When discussing the emotional impact of ‘Lanterns’, Kyle Chandler admits that he shed a tear saying goodbye to Hal.

Kyle Chandler: After watching it this morning, there’s something that really struck me as the last scene with Aaron and I in the show, because when you win the state championship, tears come to your eye, because all the work that you put in slams into you at one moment on the field, and it happened to me this morning watching it, saying goodbye to him, and the whole thing, and all of it really did compact in just a little shooting star and I did have to gently wipe away a tear so my wife didn’t make fun of me.

3) Aaron Pierre Had A Lot To Explore With In Playing John Stewart

Aaron Pierre says that he has always been a John Stewart fan, but he really appreciated getting to play him in ‘Lanterns’ and explore his humanity.

Aaron Pierre: John was not born with superpowers., He is just like any of us, you know? And I think that that is, but yet he is so mighty. And I think that is what appealed to me so much. And the constant opportunity in portraying him to excavate his humanity, to explore his humanity, to explore his flaws, to explore his shortcomings, to explore his learning moments.

4) The “Halogram” Was Able To Give John Something He Never Got From Hal

(L to R) Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre in 'Lanterns'. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max. — (L to R) Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

One of the most emotional parts of the ‘Lanterns’ finale is when Halogram and John Stewart express their platonic love for one another. This is something that actual Hal was never able to do, but Kyle Chandler is happy they found a way to include it in the show.

Kyle Chandler: He could never pluck that string as Hal in the show, but as Halogram, he learned with Hal, and he could pluck the string. That’s how I sort of look at it. Like, the two of them were never fully separated. He is his subconscious. So there’s a lot to play with there.

5) Aaron Pierre Has Loved Getting To Interact With ‘Lanterns’ Fans

(L to R) Aaron Pierre and Kelly Macdonald in 'Lanterns'. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max. — (L to R) Aaron Pierre and Kelly Macdonald in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

When asked about the most memorable fan reactions to the series, Aaron Pierre says that the fan interactions are what will truly stick with him.

Aaron Pierre: What I’ve experienced most during these eight weeks is people approaching me in public and sharing really, I would describe it as courageously, how it’s moved them. I’m talking people from every walk of life. Like every walk of life, have come up to me and said, listen, man, this, that, and the third moved me to this… in this way, and I just want to share that with you, and I’m looking forward to the next episode, or whatever it might be. Those moments, I can’t tell you how precious those are to me.

'Lanterns' premieres on HBO Max August 16th. Photo: Courtesy of HBO Max. — ‘Lanterns’ premieres on HBO Max August 16th. Photo: Courtesy of HBO Max.

What’s the plot of ‘Lanterns’?

‘Lanterns’ follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.