Kelly Macdonald stars in the HBO series Lanterns, which delivered a surprising reveal in its second episode linking the story to Gotham City.
- August 28, 2026
AceShowbiz - Kelly Macdonald stars in the HBO series Lanterns, which delivered a surprising reveal in its second episode linking the story to Gotham City. This development centers on Macdonald’s character, Sheriff Kerry Kane, exposing a significant connection to the iconic Gotham lore.
Episode 2 confirms that Sheriff Kane hails from Gotham, settling longstanding fan theories sparked by her interactions with a police commissioner and references to a character named Barb. The show establishes that Kane relocated to rural Rushville, Nebraska, on a whim, marking a stark contrast to her Gotham origins. Macdonald described this Gotham reveal as very significant, highlighting its weight within the series’ narrative. Kane's surname also aligns with Bruce Wayne’s mother’s maiden name, adding further intrigue to her backstory.
Lanterns is a detective drama rooted in DC Comics’ Green Lantern mythology, set in a small Nebraskan town, where Sheriff Kane enforces the law amid supernatural and criminal mysteries. Macdonald, known for her acclaimed roles in Trainspotting and the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, took a unique approach preparing for the role. She initially adopted a Gotham accent inspired by the TV show The Penguin but was guided by director James Hawes to tone it down to an ambiguous Nebraskan accent that reflects Kane’s long residence in Rushville while maintaining an enigmatic quality.
This Gotham connection in Lanterns deepens the show’s ties to the wider DC universe, offering fans a fresh perspective on familiar lore through Sheriff Kane’s character. The reveal enriches the layered storytelling and sets up potential future narrative explorations grounded in Gotham’s complex mythology.