Garret Dillahunt Teases William Macon's Surprising Journey in Lanterns
The veteran actor talks comic-book fandom, the gritty detective drama at the center of HBO's DC series, working with Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, and why William Macon may be more complicated than a traditional villain.
Garret Dillahunt has spent his career bringing unforgettable and often unpredictable characters to the screen. With Lanterns, he enters the DC Universe as William Macon, a modern-day cowboy whose beliefs and ambitions place him directly in the path of the show's intergalactic investigators.
During an exclusive conversation with Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged, Dillahunt shared his excitement about joining the highly anticipated series and explained why the finished show impressed him even more than he expected. While Lanterns belongs to the superhero genre, its grounded mystery and hard-edged atmosphere immediately set it apart.
“I thought it was good when we made it, but I think it's even better now that I'm seeing it.” Garret Dillahunt
Interview Highlights
- Dillahunt reveals that he grew up as a devoted comic-book reader and still owns 15 long boxes of boarded-and-bagged comics.
- He describes William Macon as an adversarial presence, zealot and conspiracy theorist—but not necessarily a conventional villain.
- He praises Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre for their real-life chemistry and the energy they brought to the set.
- Episode 4 will reveal much more about William and includes what Dillahunt calls a vulnerable but funny scene.
- He says William could make a great supervillain if the character continues elsewhere in the DC Universe.
- He also previews Evil Genius, directed by Courteney Cox and starring David Harbour and Patricia Arquette.
A Comic-Book Fan Steps Into the DC Universe
For Dillahunt, joining Lanterns carried personal meaning. He described himself as a “comic book kid” and recalled loving the classic Green Lantern/Green Arrow run drawn by Neal Adams, along with Legion of Super-Heroes and Justice League. Having rarely worked within the comic-book genre, he was eager to become part of this world.
That lifelong familiarity with DC's history also helped him appreciate the show's visual and dramatic tone. Rather than presenting a polished, conventional superhero adventure, Dillahunt said Lanterns reminded him of the grit and strangeness found in older DC stories such as Swamp Thing and Solomon Grundy.
“This feels like an eight-issue limited-release Green Lantern story.” Garret Dillahunt
Is William Macon Really a Villain?
William Macon was created for the television series rather than adapted directly from the comics, giving Dillahunt room to build the character without carrying decades of fan expectations. Early descriptions presented William as an adversarial figure to the Lanterns, as well as a zealot and conspiracy theorist.
Dillahunt, however, resisted reducing him to a simple villain. From William's point of view, he is pursuing something he believes is right. The conflict comes from the methods he is willing to use and the different path he takes to reach his goals.
“I don't know if I would put him in the villain status, because I got to play the guy. I think he just thinks he's right.” Garret Dillahunt
The actor also joked that he briefly wore a Lantern ring during production and believed he would make a good Lantern himself because, like William, he is not afraid. That combination of conviction, fearlessness and moral ambiguity appears central to what makes William such an intriguing figure.
Watch the Full Interview
Garret Dillahunt joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss Lanterns, William Macon and more.
Real Chemistry Behind the Mystery
Dillahunt had high praise for Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, who lead the series as Hal Jordan and John Stewart. He said their on-screen chemistry is genuine and credited both actors with bringing generosity and joy to the production.
He felt equally confident in the creative team behind the series, pointing to Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and comic-book writer Tom King as storytellers who understood both the mystery and the larger DC world. That support allowed Dillahunt to concentrate on making William feel like a real person rather than worrying about how the wider story would come together.
“You better bring your best stuff because everyone else is.” Garret Dillahunt
The production also reunited Dillahunt with Kelly Macdonald, his co-star from No Country for Old Men. Jason Ritter plays William's son, while Poorna Jagannathan plays his wife. Dillahunt teased that William's marriage will challenge expectations of what a small-town rancher's home life might look like, describing the relationship as open, fluid and unconventional.
Episode 4 Holds Major Surprises
Although Dillahunt remained careful not to reveal the season's secrets, he confirmed that there is much more to William than viewers will initially understand. Important details that are not immediately visible will become apparent later, and he expects some revelations to genuinely surprise the audience.
He specifically identified Episode 4 as a major installment for his character. The episode includes a vulnerable scene that the production helped him feel safe filming, but he also promised that the finished moment is funny and works within the story.
“There's a lot about William you don't know. It's not on the page. That becomes apparent later, and I think it'll be a shock to some people.” Garret Dillahunt
Could William Macon Have a Future in the DCU?
When asked where William might go next within the wider DC Universe, Dillahunt made it clear that he would welcome the opportunity to return. He could not say much without revealing what happens during the season, but he offered one tantalizing possibility: William Macon could make a great supervillain in a different capacity.
The conversation ended on a lighter note when Dillahunt considered which of his past characters could survive in the world of Lanterns. His choice was Burt Chance from Raising Hope, reasoning that Burt would be so nonthreatening, amusing and enthusiastic about superheroes that the Lanterns would probably let him stick around.
Beyond Lanterns, Dillahunt also discussed Evil Genius, a film directed by Courteney Cox and starring David Harbour and Patricia Arquette. Based on the bizarre and tragic case involving a pizza delivery driver forced to rob a bank with a bomb locked around his neck, the movie blends dark, strange and unexpectedly funny elements. Dillahunt also praised its music and said he hopes it receives an old-fashioned soundtrack release.
With its detective-story foundation, morally complicated characters and deep affection for DC Comics history, Lanterns gives Dillahunt a distinct new corner of the superhero world to explore. If his careful teases are any indication, William Macon will be far more surprising—and potentially far more dangerous—than he first appears.
Lanterns premieres August 16 on HBO Max. Watch the complete interview above and subscribe to Pop Culture Unplugged for more exclusive conversations with the stars of television and film.