TAGGED AS: DC Comics, streaming, Superheroes, television, TV
UPDATED 12/5/2024
Warner Bros. Pictures’ plans for the DC Comics characters always seem in a state of flux — projects are announced and forgotten, release dates shift constantly, and any attempt to maintain a consistent universe seemingly falls by the wayside. DC’s previous small-screen Multiverse, on the other hand, appeared on firmer ground with long-running shows like Smallville and The CW’s The Flash, surprise successes like HBO Max’s Doom Patrol and Peacemaker, and beloved animated programs including Young Justice and Harley Quinn.
But that sense of solidity is changing. In summer 2022, DC’s new corporate parent, Warner Bros. Discovery, announced to investors a 10-year plan for the characters, with a heavy emphasis on theatrical features. The company’s long hunt for a mastermind (à la Marvel’s Kevin Feige) to take control of a brand reset for film and TV finally ended when James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed their duties as co-CEOs and chairmen at the newly formed DC Studios on November 1, 2022. Meanwhile, the sale of The CW television network to Nexstar Media Group seemingly ended the longstanding foothold for DC on broadcast TV. The last vestige of that era, Superman & Lois, concluded its network run on December 2, 2024.
Of course, the DC superheroes always bounce back from any crisis, so there is always hope to be found. But it is worthwhile to take stock of the series based on the characters currently airing and in development in light of WBD’s and DC Studios new plans. Will your favorites survive a seeming Zero Hour to become Legends in a new (52) environment? And what of the studio’s “Chapter One” roadmap to integrate some TV shows into the new DC Cinematic Universe (DCU)?Let’s take a look at what we know about the various DC TV series for more insight.
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Peacemaker
(Photo by HBO Max)
Status: Wrapped production
What We Know: The success of Peacemaker on HBO Max means its planned second season will go forward. No plot details have emerged, but it is easy to imagine Chris (John Cena) seeking to get the band back together for any number of reasons. It is also possible Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) might want to exact some revenge on the task force. And with Gunn now the co-CEO and co-chair of DC Studios, the possibility of Peacemaker continuing beyond the second season increases exponentially. In the interim, though, he admitted to journalists in January 2023 that his duties as DC Studios’ co-CEO means he hasn’t had a chance to write the program’s sophomore outing. A year or so later, production began with Gunn helming a few episodes. Elsewhere, he clarified that the second season will be in continuity with Superman and the other DCU projects with the notable exception of the Justice League cameo as the team does not yet exist in the new universe. It will also take place after the events of Superman. Production occurred through the later half of 2024. Per Gunn, the second season will air/stream in the late 2025.
Related: What Peacemaker Season 2 Could Hold
88%
The Sandman
(Photo by Netflix)
Status: In post-production
What We Know: Although the series was welcomed by fans, critics, and viewers when it debuted in August of 2022, its future was unknown for a distressingly long time as the Warner Bros. Television production required a green light from Netflix to continue. Thankfully, word finally broke of its renewal in early November of that year. As previously reported, co-creator Neil Gaiman said on several occasions that season 2 was mapped out during the writing of season 1. Based on the structure of that debut season, the program will likely move on to the next major Sandman comic book story, “Season of Mists,” which sees Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie in the television series) making a momentous choice and Morpheus (Tom Sturridge) dealing with the fallout. Gaiman’s statement about the renewal strengthens our guess about the subject matter. “It’s time to get back to work,” he wrote. “There’s a family meal ahead, after all. And Lucifer is waiting for Morpheus to return to Hell…” Additionally, paparazzi shots of the set made it clear one shorter story, “The Song of Orpheus” will make its way to screens in the upcoming season. Production was disrupted during the 2023 Screen Actors Guild strike, but resumed that November. In May, Netflix revealed the actors playing the rest of Morpheus family: Adrian Lester as Destiny, Esmé Creed-Miles as Delirium, and Barry Sloane as a sibling known only (for now) as “The Prodigal” — although, fans of the comics will know this Endless’s name. It is unclear when the season will run or if the series will continue, though, as Gaiman is now the focus of sexual misconduct allegations that have already ended his other TV projects.
Related: The Sandman Season 2: What’s Next for the Dream Team
Lanterns
(Photo by Amy Sussman/FilmMagic)
Status: A go at HBO
What We Know: Announced at a HBO Max preview day in 2019, Green Lantern was said to be most ambitious comics-to-screen adaptation ever attempted by Berlanti Productions (the company behind the Arrowverse, Titans, and Doom Patrol), but those ambitions clearly changed in late 2022. Originally set to star Jeremy Irvine and Finn Wittrock (pictured) as Green Lanterns Alan Scott and Guy Gardner, respectively, word broke in October 2022 indicating the program will now focus on Green Lantern John Stewart. Irvine and Wittrock were released from their contracts and the previously announced showrunner, Seth Grahame-Smith, exited the series. Berlanti and other executives at his company remained involved, but none of the other previous creative staff stayed on. In fact, it was unclear who was developing the John Stewart version of the series.
That lack of clarity made a little more sense in January 2023, when Gunn revealed the Berlanti Green Lantern series has been shelved in favor of a DC Studios concept called Lanterns. The “event” program will focus on Stewart, a new recruit, and Silver Age GL Hal Jordan as they investigate a “dark mystery” in American’s heartland that may or may not be related to the overall Chapter One storyline. According to Gunn, the Berlanti project was a space opera while Lanterns will be set primarily on Earth. On June 25, 2024, HBO greenlit the series with Ozark‘s Chris Mundy serving as showrunner and executive producer. Watchmen‘s Damon Lindelof and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow‘s Tom King will write alongside Mundy in addition to being executive producers on the 8-episode event. In September of 2024, casting began with Kyle Chandler signing up to play Jordan and Aaron Pierre agreeing to play Stewart. Production is expected to begin in January.
97%
Harley Quinn
Status: Renewed for a fifth season on Max
What We Know: Harley (Kaley Cuoco), Ivy (Lake Bell), and the others will return for at least one more batch of episodes. Although, Harley Quinn‘s continued success might see it renewed several more times as it sits at a comfortable intersection of corporate needs and fan-pleasing fun.
Waller
Status: In development
What We Know: Viola Davis is set to star in a Chapter One live action series focusing on her morally flexible Suicide Squad character. Watchmen‘s Christal Henry and Doom Patrol‘s Jeremy Carver are writing the program with unspecified members of the Peacemaker cast set to reprise their roles.
Paradise Lost
Status: In development
What We Know: This Chapter One live action series will focus on the genesis of Themyscira — Wonder Woman’s birthplace — and the political intrigue as its all-women society takes shape.
Booster Gold
Status: In development
What We Know: Based on the popular DC Comics character, this Chapter One series focuses on a going-no-where man from the future who uses everyday technology in his era to become a superhero in ours. Will it lead to riches and brand deals or will Booster become a genuine hero with a Justice League membership? Like many other DCU projects, it awaits Gunn receiving a script he’s happy with before it can go forward.
Wonder Woman Animated Series
Status: Rumored (sort of)
What We Know: In March of 2023, Gunn responded to a comment on Twitter stating he is trying to set up a Wonder Woman animated series. It is unclear if the project will part of the DCU or an “Elseworlds,” but Diana definitely deserves the Batman: The Animated Series treatment. While we would normally leave a rumored project off the list, Gunn’s comments suggest it may be something series.
Arkham Asylum
(Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Status: Shelved
What We Know: Growing out of Reeves (pictured) and Max’s plan to develop a series centered on the Gotham City Police Department, the Arkham Asylum series was to focus on the family known for running the infamous mental institution. In October 2022, The Staircase’s Antonio Campos signed on to serve as executive producer and showrunner. In July of 2024, word broke indicating the series will not go forward.
