Editor’s note: The below interview contains spoilers for Lanterns Episode 6.
HBO’s <em>Lanterns</em> only has a couple more weeks left to go, and with its 2016 storyline officially wrapped up, the DCU series has jumped ahead by a decade, making quiet strides toward resolving a mystery that’s been hanging over the show from the beginning: who killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler)?
Despite being summoned back to Rushville by Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald), what John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) knows — and what the show ultimately reveals — is that Hal and John’s last conversation took place hours before Hal turned up dead on those bleachers. Before that, Hal had actually been trying to make amends for what happened in Rushville 10 years prior, even though the townspeople, including Kerry’s now-ex Billy Macon (Jason Ritter), still carry a lot of resentment towards the Green Lantern and everything that went down. While the show continues to creep closer to confirming the identity of Hal’s murderer, it does shine a spotlight on the fact that Rushville has been forever changed by the events of 2016.
Ahead of the Lanterns premiere, Collider had the opportunity to speak with several members of the cast and creative team, including Macdonald and Ritter. Over the course of the interview, which you can watch above or read below, the co-stars discuss playing several versions of Kerry and Billy over different points in time, Kerry’s emotional Episode 7 reunion scene with the Halogram, why Billy unwisely decides to pick a fight with John Stewart, and more.
COLLIDER: Kelly, the show is primarily set around two distinct timelines, but for Kerry, we do get a glimpse of what life was like for her before Rushville. I was wondering how learning about her history in Gotham and what she’s been through prior to ending up in Rushville helped you develop a stronger understanding of her character.
KELLY MACDONALD: I don’t have too much information aside from the fact that she’s from Gotham. There are people that want to kill her, and she makes… not a deal with the devil, but she signs her life over basically to Rushville and to being there and protecting it, and it ends up being her family. So, yeah, I think it is quite important.
It was really nice to actually film a slightly younger Kerry, and sort of see her, like, she’s a bit gothy. They gave me little bangs, and I got makeup. It was really fancy.
Jason, I feel like I’m not the only person that’s going to be thinking of Matlock when Billy first walks in. Your first official scene in Lanterns, that really funny courtroom scene, and the interaction that you and Kyle [Chandler] are having feels like a bit of a parallel. This is admittedly a less serious question, but which of those characters would you pick to represent you in a legal matter: Billy or Julian?
JASON RITTER: [Laughs] I would definitely pick Julian. Not anything against Billy, but I think Billy is kind of big-fish-in-a-little-pond syndrome, and so he knows the judges, he comes in, he makes deals. He’s not necessarily an expert of the law. So, yeah, I definitely would choose Julian — but maybe Julian with a mustache.
‘Lanterns’ Halogram Reunion Reminded Kelly Macdonald of Filming ‘Boardwalk Empire’
“It’s tricky because Hal Jordan’s still Hal Jordan…”
Image via HBO
Fair enough. Kelly, we’ve obviously just been talking about Kerry’s past, but I really do love that we get to see the evolution of the character in both timelines, both in 2016 and then later in 2026. There’s been some estrangement, as well, between Hal and John, and how the ripple effects of that kind of still linger. How did you want to balance the external toughness that [Kerry] has to have as the sheriff of this town with some of the moments when we really see more vulnerability rise to the surface, especially while, in 2026, we see her grappling with the loss of Hal, too?
MACDONALD: I think from the get-go, when you meet Kerry, and certainly when Kerry meets Hal, they recognize in each other that there’s a lot of bravado masking something very vulnerable inside. The scripts are just lovely. The character arc allows for time to develop fully. With a film format, there’s such limited time to convey everything effectively.
There’s a scene I’m thinking about [in Episode 7] specifically from you where she finds herself confronted with that saved version of Hal from the ring. It feels like you watch all of the emotions just going over your face in real time. I’m curious about how you prepared to film that scene because it feels like we see a lot of emotion from her with very little dialogue.
MACDONALD: Thank you.
RITTER: I love that scene.
MACDONALD: I haven’t seen it yet but I was there! It was funny because I remember doing an episode in Boardwalk Empire, where my character’s having an affair with somebody who gets killed by Nucky. They kept this actor hidden until my character found him on camera so they could capture my reaction seeing him covered in blood.
The challenge is that Hal Jordan’s still Hal Jordan. Working with someone as professional as Kyle Chandler made it easier because just one look from him conveyed everything needed for that moment.
‘Lanterns’ Jason Ritter Reveals How the Last 10 Years Have Changed Billy Macon
“2026 is a very different time for Billy…”
To continue along the story of the time jump, Jason, I feel like you can see the lingering effects that the incident in 2016 has had on the town. Specifically there’s that moment between you and Aaron [Pierre], where it feels like we’re seeing a very different Billy Macon versus who we met back in 2016. The huge action and devastation that took place in Rushville — what sort of impact does that have on your character especially regarding resentment towards Green Lanterns?
RITTER: There’s been a lot of death in town. Even though they’ve gotten divorced it’s tough when your ex-partner starts dating a superhero. So definitely like many happy-go-lucky people your outlook changes when faced with disappointment or trauma.
Billy has a lot of anger and feelings of powerlessness. In 2026 things are very different for him — perhaps some misplaced confidence regarding his ability to start fights and finish them. [Laughs]
Your characters are linked not just because of their past relationship but also due to their child. How did both of you approach continuing this partnership? They’re no longer married ten years later but seem committed to co-parenting this young man [Noah], who clearly has potential even if he hasn’t decided on college yet.
RITTER: Yes! There’s been much divorce over time but now people seem more focused on protecting their children during these transitions. They try hard to put their differences aside for their child’s sake.
MACDONALD: And focus on him.
RITTER: Exactly! Although I’m sure Billy’s curious if Noah has hung out with Hal Jordan — “What’s he like? Is he funny?” Anyway nothing too devastating there!
New episodes of Lanterns premiere Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
