‘Lanterns’ Manhunter Mystery Deepens: Top 5 Suspects Fans Believe Could Be HBO’s Villain

HBO’s ‘Lanterns‘ has ignited fan speculation with one burning question: Who is the Manhunter lurking in Rushville, Nebraska?

This DC series has transformed its central mystery into a must-watch event, merging Green Lantern sci-fi elements with a True Detective-style police procedural that captivates both casual viewers and dedicated DC fans. As the investigation unfolds, the list of potential suspects continues to grow.

The Manhunters, rooted in DC Comics lore, were first introduced by Jack Kirby in 1975 as artificial beings created by the Guardians of the Universe. Designed as a galactic peacekeeping force before the Green Lantern Corps came into existence, their quest for “justice” led to the destruction of organic life, prompting the Guardians to eliminate them all.

However, one Manhunter appears to have survived. In ‘Lanterns’ episode 2, the alien Antaan and his crew abduct John Stewart, revealing that he is on the hunt for a Manhunter concealed within Rushville. Hal Jordan deduces that Abin Sur must have been the Lantern who initially apprehended this Manhunter before it killed him and escaped, leading to the crash landing that resulted in Abin Sur passing his ring to Hal.

Currently, only one Manhunter exists in the show’s narrative, and its true motives remain a mystery. This single detail has prompted fans and critics to create their own suspect boards.

At the forefront of fan theories is William Macon. Actor Garret Dillahunt, who portrays him, has fueled speculation by hinting that his character “might be a front for some other kind of character that’s very familiar to you all,” suggesting that “maybe William Macon is just a secret identity that had to be created.”

Some critics argue that this makes him an obvious target. When Antaan described the Manhunter’s destruction of his people, he mentioned it was done “quietly,” while Macon’s militia activities are anything but subtle. There’s also a theory suggesting William Macon could be the DCU’s version of the classic Green Lantern villain Black Hand, also known as William Hand, rather than the Manhunter itself.

Zoe Macon has also emerged as a significant suspect. She is currently viewed as one of the top candidates among fans, especially since she spent the night with John Stewart during his first evening in Rushville and was seen lurking in the background prior to that encounter.

Sheriff Kane is another character whose backstory raises suspicions. When Hal Jordan inquires about her origins, she hesitantly reveals that she grew up in Gotham before moving to Rushville “on a whim,” quickly shutting down further questions. Given that the Manhunter can assume any form, Sheriff Kerry Kane, played by Kelly Macdonald, remains a strong contender alongside the Macons.

Billy Macon, William’s son, has not escaped scrutiny either. Described as his father’s dutiful son and errand boy, his role raises questions, especially considering how central the Macon family has become to the mystery. Some outlets rank him lower on the suspect list, arguing that his understated presence makes him an unlikely candidate for such a dramatic reveal, while others believe that is precisely why he could be a perfect hiding spot for the Manhunter.

Hal Jordan himself has not been completely ruled out by some viewers, especially after his strange hospital experience. Hal wakes up in an eerily empty hospital with no other patients and equipment that seems completely unused, a peculiar detail for a town of this size. Jordan also suspects that there may be a piece of alien technology hidden on Macon’s ranch that is far more significant than the alien detection devices scattered throughout the town.

The allure of the mystery lies in how intentionally the show is playing its cards. The writers of ‘Lanterns,’ including Damon Lindelof, Tom King, and Chris Mundy, have woven narrative misdirections throughout the series, keeping viewers guessing with every character introduction.

Even the creative team behind the HBO series has avoided directly addressing the Manhunter’s identity, leaving fans with little more than on-screen clues to decipher. As the show progresses, the pool of suspects could expand, as any new character introduced is likely to be viewed with suspicion by both the audience and the lead Lanterns.

This uncertainty has only fueled the show’s growing buzz. Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, and John Stewart, portrayed by Aaron Pierre, arrived in Rushville to investigate a mass shooting that turned out to involve an extraterrestrial in disguise, setting the entire mystery in motion. What began as a single case has spiraled into a town-wide conspiracy that seems to implicate nearly everyone.

With the identity of the Manhunter still shrouded in mystery, ‘Lanterns’ has effectively made every resident of Rushville feel like a potential threat. Which of these suspects do you believe is truly hiding the Manhunter beneath their small-town facade?