Will Macon Isn’t the Manhunter in ‘Lanterns’ as HBO Show’s Mystery Deepens

Fans of ‘Lanterns‘ have been speculating for weeks that William Macon, portrayed by Garret Dillahunt, was the shapeshifting killer haunting Rushville. This theory seemed plausible given his suspicious demeanor and the air of mistrust surrounding him, which is typical for a character in a mystery series.

However, it turns out that the internet’s leading suspect was merely a red herring. The true identity of the Manhunter in ‘Lanterns’ has been unveiled, and it is not who many had anticipated.

For several weeks, ‘Lanterns’ teased the enigma of the Manhunter’s identity, revealing its ability to disguise itself, which turned every character in Rushville into a potential suspect. This included Hal Jordan and John Stewart, who, despite their differences, found themselves unable to trust anyone.

William Macon quickly became a top contender in fan theories. Several other potential Manhunter suspects were linked to the Macon family, which only fueled speculation about Will. GamesRadar noted that even though he seemed like the least likely candidate, the show’s creators could be cleverly hiding the Manhunter in plain sight through an unassuming character like him.

Garret Dillahunt added to the intrigue by suggesting in an interview with SyFy that his character might serve as a facade for someone viewers are already familiar with, hinting that William Macon could be a secret identity crafted for another purpose.

The truth was revealed in episode five. As disclosed at the end of episode four and confirmed in the episode titled Lights Out, the Manhunter is actually Zoe Macon, played by Poorna Jagannathan. This revelation shocked a fanbase that had spent the entire season focused on the wrong Macon.

Jagannathan herself was taken aback by the twist. She revealed that she had no idea she would be portraying the Manhunter until she received the script for the fourth episode, humorously noting that everyone else seemed to catch on before her. She expressed gratitude that the twist was kept from her initially, as she believed it would have affected her audition performance.

The significance of her performance is heightened by how her character was developed. Jagannathan explained that Zoe intentionally chose to take on the form of a South Asian woman, as being seen as an outsider provides her with a unique perspective to infiltrate society, a concept that resonates with her own experiences.

Although Will is not the shapeshifter, he is not entirely off the hook. By episode five, Hal directly tells Antaan that Will is the Manhunter, yet Antaan remains skeptical, and the group still prepares to confront Will at his ranch. This indicates that the Macon family’s involvement in Rushville’s turmoil is far from over.

There is also the thematic significance of Will’s character on the show. Despite the Manhunter’s identity being revealed, the season continues to focus on character development involving Hal, John, and the dubious William Macon, rather than treating the reveal as a conclusion. This suggests that Will’s storyline still holds important consequences, even after being cleared of the major accusation against him.

Dillahunt’s comments about portraying a character whose methods of enforcing his worldview may not align with typical Green Lantern villains further contribute to the sense of unresolved storylines. Whatever Will Macon’s ultimate goal is, the series appears to have more in store for him.

The mystery surrounding the Manhunter has been answered, but Rushville’s story is far from over. ‘Lanterns’ spent its initial episodes convincing viewers that the composed rancher at the heart of Rushville was concealing something sinister. Instead, the show delivered its most significant twist through a character that fans had largely overlooked, leaving even the actress surprised by her own role.

With Zoe Macon’s true identity revealed and the Macon family’s secrets continuing to unfold, ‘Lanterns’ has made it clear that eliminating one suspect does not mean the mystery in Rushville is nearing its end.

What are your thoughts on the show choosing to reveal its biggest twist through Zoe instead of Will? Do you believe the Macon family still harbors more secrets beneath that ranch?