‘Lanterns’ Star Aaron Pierre Covers HERO Magazine with Director Barry Jenkins Interview

Tena Milakovic
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Few actors have had a trajectory quite like Aaron Pierre’s. In just a few years, he has transitioned from an acclaimed supporting role in a prestigious limited series to headlining a Netflix action blockbuster, voicing a Disney character, and leading a DC superhero series on HBO. The star of ‘Lanterns’ is now basking in the spotlight that comes with a true breakout.

‘Lanterns’ premiered on August 16 on HBO, with episodes available for streaming on HBO Max. Pierre portrays John Stewart, a new recruit teamed up with veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler. By late August, the show boasted a 94% Tomatometer score based on 65 critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

Now, Pierre has reached another significant milestone. Blackish Press revealed images of him gracing the cover of HERO Magazine, where he is featured while promoting ‘Lanterns.’ The striking black-and-white cover, captured by Kaan Alexander Olcay, depicts him lounging in an open shirt next to a vintage boxing magazine.

What makes this issue particularly special is the identity of the interviewer. HERO’s Issue 36, titled ‘Ghost Story,’ features a conversation between Pierre and filmmaker Barry Jenkins, discussing his career, recent projects, and future aspirations. Jenkins is the director who provided Pierre with his big break in ‘The Underground Railroad,’ the Amazon Prime series that debuted in May 2021.

The two reunited for ‘Mufasa: The Lion King,’ where Pierre lent his voice to the young Mufasa in December 2024. Pierre has expressed that his collaboration with Jenkins has influenced his choice of roles, encouraging him to prioritize truth and authenticity. This is especially poignant for an actor who was once told he was too tall to convincingly convey emotion on screen.

The issue also features other notable pairings, including George MacKay in conversation with Léa Seydoux about exploring the realm of ghosts, and Austin Abrams discussing his latest work with filmmaker Zach Cregger.

Pierre’s cover comes as ‘Lanterns’ continues to attract viewers. The series follows Stewart and Jordan as they delve into a murder investigation in a small Nebraska town. Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, with Mundy as showrunner, it is part of the DC Universe overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran.

The show also explores its hero’s backstory. Episode 3 delves into how John was conditioned to be fearless from a young age, and Pierre shared with TVLine that the character carries “an immense amount of trauma that is unresolved and internalized.” Critics have highlighted Pierre’s ability to balance intelligence with physicality in his performance.

The role holds significant personal meaning for him. In an interview with Ebony, he described portraying Stewart as a responsibility, particularly as a father, and emphasized the symbolic power of the Green Lantern ring. This sense of purpose likely contributes to the strong connection his performance has made with audiences.

Despite the pressures of a major genre franchise, Pierre’s momentum remains strong. He also starred in the Netflix thriller ‘Rebel Ridge,’ which topped the streaming service’s global chart for three consecutive weeks, and portrayed Malcolm X in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’ As of TVLine’s report in August, a second season of ‘Lanterns’ has not yet been officially greenlit.

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