March 14 (UPI) -- Matlock actor Jason Ritter is slated to join HBO's upcoming Lanterns series inspired by the Green Lantern DC comic. He will portray Billy Macon who tries to cash in on his family's name as he carries out tasks for his father, several outlets report.

HBO officially picked up “Lanterns,” the first live-action series created expressly for DC Studios under co-chairmen/co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, in June. The series was given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order by HBO, with Chris Mundy (“True Detective: Night Country,” “Ozark”) serving as showrunner and exec producer.

Nicole Ari Parker has joined the cast of Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King's Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler-starring series Lanterns.

According to the show’s official logline, Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. The story will unfold over eight episodes that will air on HBO and stream on Max.

Ritter is the latest in a growing cast list for DC's "Lanterns." Earlier this week it was announced Nicole Ari Parker ("And Just Like That") had joined the cast as Bernadette. Acc

HBO's Lanterns is adding to its cast again, signing Jason Ritter for a recurring role. Ritter will play a character named Billy Macon in the series based on DC's Green Lantern. Billy is described as "a good-looking charmer who does his father's bidding.