John Cena returns as the titular antihero in "Peacemaker" season two, as the show moves into the new version of the DC Universe. It's a confusing shift — but the trailer promises more of the same exhilarating action and depraved comedy.
The first season, which was released on HBO Max in January 2022, followed Peacemaker as he fought against a secret alien invasion in the US by a race of bug-like creatures, while grappling with his violent legacy as the son of a white supremacist gang leader.
Now, "Peacemaker" season two will fold the titular character into the new rebooted DC Universe, after originally taking place alongside movies like "Man of Steel," "Batman v Superman," and "Justice League."
This is because director James Gunn was hired as the co-chairman of DC Studios in November 2022 after creating the "Peacemaker" TV series, and he's the one restarting the DCU with the new "Superman" movie.
So with that in mind, here's what to know about "Peacemaker" season two.
'Peacemaker' season two is a fresh start for the antihero in the new DC Universe
"Peacemaker" season two sees the antihero wanting to be taken seriously. Gunn told Entertainment Weekly, "He's still considered a punchline among all of the other metahumans, so he's starting the season in a bad place." A metahuman is a person with superpowers in the DC Universe.
The first trailer for the new season shows a group of other superheroes rejecting Peacemaker's request to team up with them. It also shows him going on the run because he killed Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) in "The Suicide Squad." Peacemaker then meets a version of himself from another universe — so it's clear that things are going to get weird.
Because "Peacemaker" originally took place in the DC Extended Universe, fans were confused about how the show is continuing despite now existing in a new universe.
On Threads, Gunn told DC fans that "season one isn't canon," which essentially means the events of the previous season still happened — but if he wants to rework the timeline, or the specifics of the story to fit his new universe, then he will.
This is all because the previous version of the Justice League had cameos at the end of "Peacemaker" season one, and now that the universe has rebooted, those characters don't exist anymore.
John Cena returns to 'Peacemaker' season 2 alongside Freddie Stroma, Robert Patrick, and Danielle Brooks
Despite shifting to a new universe, most of the main cast from the first season are returning for the second. So expect to see Danielle Brooks as Agent Leota Adebayo, Freddie Stroma as Adrian Chase/Vigilante, Jennifer Holland as Agent Emilia Harcourt, and Steve Agee as Agent John Economos.
"Terminator 2" star Robert Patrick will also reprise his role as Peacemaker's father, August Smith, the leader of a white supremacist gang.
Frank Grillo will play a live action version of Rick Flag Sr. for the second time, after playing him in the upcoming "Superman" movie and voicing the character in "Creature Commandos" last year.
Some of the "Superman" cast will also appear in the show, including Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, and Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord.
'Peacemaker' season 2 starts in August
It has been over three years since the show's release, but "Peacemaker" season two will start streaming on HBO Max on August 21, 2025.
The eight-episode series will be released weekly and run until October 9.
