Across which two years do the main storylines of the DC series Lanterns unfold?

The main storylines of the DC series Lanterns unfold across 2016 and 2026.

The 2016 storyline centers on a murder in Rushville, Nebraska. Hal Jordan believes the case may involve an extraterrestrial incident, which links an apparently local crime to the wider Green Lantern mythology. A second storyline takes place in 2026 and connects back to the earlier mystery.

This two-period structure is a major part of the show’s design. It allows Lanterns to explore the consequences of an investigation over time while also showing the evolving relationship between veteran Lantern Hal Jordan and recruit John Stewart. The format recalls crime dramas that use multiple time periods to reveal a mystery gradually.

The years are easy to mix up with the production dates. Filming occurred from February through July 2025, while the series is scheduled to premiere in 2026. The story’s 2016 and 2026 settings are fictional narrative dates, not the dates when the program was made or first broadcast.