HBO's Lanterns Casts Matlock's Jason Ritter As Son To Garret Dillahunt
Jason Ritter, who wrapped production on CBS' already-renewed Matlock back in October, has lined up a "super" side hustle, on HBO's upcoming Green Lantern series.
TVLine can confirm that Ritter has been cast in Lanterns as Billy Macon, "a good-looking charmer who does his father's bidding," the official character description tells us. "Capitalizing on his family's reputation, he clings to his small-town ego and has everything to lose."
Garret Dillahunt (Raising Hope) previously was cast as Billy's father, William Macon. (No, not confusing at all.) A version of the Ritter casting news was first reported by The InSneider.
It was back in October when the DC Studios production tapped Friday Night Lights alum Kyle Chandler to headline the series as Hal Jordan, alongside onetime Krypton resident Aaron Pierre as John Stewart.
Among other castings, Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire) will fill the series regular role of Sheriff Kerry, a "no-nonsense woman deeply devoted to her family and close-knit town. Her resilience, shaped by a complex past that's hardened her resolve, anchors her when the community's secrets begin to surface."
Additionally, Ulrich Thomsen (The Blacklist, Banshee) reportedly will play the DC Comics villain Sinestro, "a former Green Lantern who turned rogue" who is "ruthless yet undeniably charming" and whose "manipulative nature drives his enduring obsession with his former mentee, Hal Jordan."
Nicole Ari Parker (Empire) will recur as John Stewart's "fiercely protective" mother, Bernadette, while Poorna Jagannathan (The Night Of) will play Zoe, who is described as "every bit as composed and cunning of the influential men around her."
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn on Feb. 27 shared a first photo of Chandler and Pierre in character, while hailing the DC drama as "something really special."
"Excited that #Lanterns is now in production," Gunn shared on socials, alongside the first photo. "DC Studios' new show for @HBO and Max, from creators Chris Mundy, @damonlindelof & @tomking_tk, starring Kyle Chandler & @aaron_pierre1, is something really special."
Produced by HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, Lanterns was given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order in June 2024, with Damon Lindelof and Eisner Award winner Tom King set to pen the script. Chris Mundy (True Detective: Night Country, Ozark) will serve as showrunner and executive-produce with Lindelof and King.
Described by DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran as being "very much in the vein of True Detective," Lanterns will follow new recruit John Stewart and legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
"John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC's most compelling characters," DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn said in June, "and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU."
Chapter 1 of that "unified DCU" — dubbed "Gods and Monsters" — officially launched with the animated series Creature Commandos, which debuted on Max in December. On the film side, the new DCU will kick off with Gunn's Superman, starring David Corenswet (The Politician) and flying into theaters July 11.
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