Lanterns writers discuss character development and political influences

Writers for the upcoming HBO series ‘Lanterns’ have shared details regarding the character development of John Stewart and the political influences on the show’s narrative.

Executive producers Vanessa Baden Kelly and Justin Britt-Gibson explained that the casting of Aaron Pierre necessitated a change in John Stewart’s backstory. Because Pierre has a lighter skin tone than the character’s traditional depiction, the writers incorporated this into the script. The storyline suggests that Stewart’s appearance was viewed by his family as being ‘more palatable to damn white people,’ making him more likely to succeed in certain environments.

Additionally, the writers noted that the 2024 Democratic presidential succession and the Democratic National Convention influenced their exploration of the relationship between Hal Jordan and John Stewart. While the tension between the experienced Jordan and the younger Stewart was established during development, the political climate regarding the Biden-Harris transition amplified the themes of power and identity being explored in their buddy-cop dynamic.