Peacemaker (TV series)

Peacemaker is an American television series created by James Gunn for the streaming service HBO Max, based on DC Comics featuring the character Peacemaker. The first season is a spin-off of the film The Suicide Squad (2021) set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), further exploring jingoistic vigilante Chris Smith / Peacemaker. The second season is the first live-action series in the DC Universe (DCU), a "soft reboot" of the DCEU, retroactively incorporating most of season 1 into the DCU's continuity, and taking place after the events of the film Superman (2025). The series is produced by the Safran Company and Troll Court Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and with Gunn as showrunner. It was produced by DC Studios with Gunn returning as showrunner.

John Cena stars as Chris Smith / Peacemaker, reprising his role from The Suicide Squad, alongside Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick also starring in the first season, with Frank Grillo joining the cast in the second season. Although the character was originally slated to be killed in The Suicide Squad, Gunn conceived Peacemaker after noting Cena's strength as a dramatic actor, and wrote the first season while finishing the film. HBO Max ordered it straight-to-series in September 2020. Filming took place in Vancouver, Canada, from January to July 2021, with Gunn directing five episodes. He chose to use hair metal songs for the series' soundtrack, including "Do Ya Wanna Taste It" by Wig Wam for the dance sequence accompanying the first season's opening titles. A second season was ordered in February 2022, with Gunn again writing all episodes. The season was integrated with the DCU after Gunn was named co-CEO of DC Studios. Filming took place at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, from April to November 2024.

Peacemaker premiered on January 13, 2022, with its first three episodes. The other five episodes of the first season were released weekly until February 17. The second season premiered on August 21, 2025, and released weekly until October 9. Following the conclusion of the second season, Gunn announced there were no plans for a third season. The series has been nominated for several awards, including a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award. A spin-off series, Waller, is in development as part of the DCU.

Premise

The first season follows Chris Smith / Peacemaker after he recovers from the injuries he suffered during the events of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film The Suicide Squad (2021). Peacemaker is forced to join the mysterious A.R.G.U.S. black ops squad "Project Butterfly", who are on a mission to identify and eliminate parasitic butterfly-like creatures who have taken over human bodies around the world. The second season is set in the DC Universe (DCU) after the events of the DCU film Superman (2025). It follows Peacemaker finding an alternate universe where he is a beloved hero alongside his brother and father.