If you watched the second episode of HBO’s Lanterns and found yourself wondering where you had seen Antaan before, there is a good reason. The mysterious alien leader is played by veteran character actor Paul Ben-Victor, whose face has appeared across television and film for decades.

In Lanterns, Ben-Victor plays Antaan, an extraterrestrial who leads a group of aliens investigating the possible presence of Manhunters on Earth. His arrival puts John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, at the center of a dangerous investigation in Rushville, Nebraska.

Who Is Antaan in ‘Lanterns’?

Episode 2 introduces Antaan after John Stewart is captured by a group of seemingly hostile aliens. Antaan believes that a surviving Manhunter is hiding somewhere in Rushville, Nebraska, creating a potential threat to humanity.

However, Antaan and his group cannot enter the town without being detected. William Macon, played by Garret Dillahunt, and his mysterious “generous benefactor” have made that difficult.

As a result, Antaan turns to John Stewart. He gives the Green Lantern 48 hours to locate the Manhunter. If John fails, the aliens are prepared to take matters into their own hands, with consequences that could affect a large part of Nebraska.

The character is part of Lanterns’ broader mystery-driven storyline, which places John Stewart and Hal Jordan at the center of an investigation involving both Earth and extraterrestrial forces.

But while Antaan may be a new face in the DC Universe, the actor portraying him is anything but unfamiliar.

Paul Ben-Victor Was a Major Presence on ‘The Wire’

Long before appearing as Antaan, Paul Ben-Victor had already established himself as a recognizable character actor, frequently portraying police officers, criminals and other authority figures.

One of his most notable roles came on HBO’s acclaimed crime drama The Wire.

Ben-Victor played Spiros “Vondas” Vondopoulos, a high-ranking member of The Greek’s criminal organization, portrayed by Bill Raymond. Vondas was introduced during Season 2 and served as The Greek’s right-hand man and an important intermediary in the organization’s drug and smuggling operations.

One of Vondas’ most memorable scenes comes in Season 2, Episode 8, during a conversation with Frank Sobotka, played by Chris Bauer. When Sobotka considers distancing himself from The Greek’s organization, Vondas uses the decline of a steel mill as an analogy for the way legitimate industries disappear while criminal operations take their place.

The role helped make Ben-Victor one of the familiar supporting performers associated with the series.

You May Also Know Him From ‘Entourage’

For viewers who did not follow The Wire, Ben-Victor has appeared in several other recognizable productions.

On Entourage, he played talent agent Alan Gray, a rival of Ari Gold, the character portrayed by Jeremy Piven. The role once again placed Ben-Victor in the kind of high-pressure professional environment that has become a recurring feature of his career.

He also took on a very different role as Moe Howard in the 2000 film The Three Stooges. The transformation was significant enough that viewers may not immediately connect the character with the actor now appearing as Antaan.

More recently, Ben-Victor has continued to build an extensive television résumé. His credits include Sly Funaro Sr., a disbarred attorney, in The Lincoln Lawyer, as well as Phil Russo in Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

A Familiar Face in a Very Different Role

Ben-Victor’s casting as Antaan gives Lanterns another experienced character actor in its ensemble. While the alien leader is far removed from many of the grounded criminals, authority figures and professionals Ben-Victor has portrayed throughout his career, his presence may immediately register with longtime television viewers.

For Lanterns, Antaan also represents a significant part of the show’s extraterrestrial mystery. The character is an alien determined to uncover the truth and pursue his own form of justice, bringing him into direct conflict with John Stewart and the events unfolding in Nebraska.

So, if Antaan looked familiar when he appeared on screen, it was likely not just a trick of recognition. Paul Ben-Victor has spent decades moving between crime dramas, comedies, films and television series, often disappearing convincingly into very different characters.

Now, in Lanterns, he has stepped into the DC Universe as an alien leader with his own agenda.

Lanterns airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO Max.

Source: https://www.tvinsider.com/