# Peacemaker season 2
**Peacemaker season 2** is the second season of the American superhero comedy-drama television series *Peacemaker*, created by James Gunn for HBO Max and [DC Studios](https://www.edgepedia.org/dc-studios). It premiered on August 21, 2025, with a two-episode debut, and ran for eight weekly episodes through October 9, 2025.[1](https://press.wbd.com/us/ca/media-release/hbo-max/peacemaker/season-two-max-original-series-peacemaker-dc-studios-debuts-august-21) • [2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/peacemaker_2022/s02) The season is the first installment of the series set in the new [DC Universe](https://www.edgepedia.org/dc-universe) (DCU), the shared continuity launched by DC Studios co-presidents [James Gunn](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-gunn) and Peter Safran, and it picks up about a month after the events of the 2025 film *Superman*.[3](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/what-to-expect-in-peacemaker-season-2/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Premiere | Two-episode debut on August 21, 2025 (North and South America) and August 22 elsewhere, on HBO Max[1](https://press.wbd.com/us/ca/media-release/hbo-max/peacemaker/season-two-max-original-series-peacemaker-dc-studios-debuts-august-21) • [4](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/hbo-max/peacemaker-season-2-review) |
| Episodes | Eight, airing weekly; all written by James Gunn, who directed three, including the first[1](https://press.wbd.com/us/ca/media-release/hbo-max/peacemaker/season-two-max-original-series-peacemaker-dc-studios-debuts-august-21) |
| Returning cast | John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick[1](https://press.wbd.com/us/ca/media-release/hbo-max/peacemaker/season-two-max-original-series-peacemaker-dc-studios-debuts-august-21) |
| Continuity | Set in the new DCU, a month after *Superman*; most of season 1 remains canon with the Justice League cameo reworked to the Justice Gang[3](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/what-to-expect-in-peacemaker-season-2/) • [5](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-tv-shows/peacemaker-season-2-canon-dcu/) |
| Main antagonist | Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), Director of A.R.G.U.S., seeking revenge for his son's death at Peacemaker's hands in *The Suicide Squad*[6](https://www.dc.com/blog/2025-08-21/everything-you-need-to-know-before-watching-peacemaker-season-two) |
| Critical scores | 94% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer from 149 reviews; 78 on Metacritic from 18 critic reviews[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/peacemaker_2022/s02) • [7](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/peacemaker/season-2/) |
| New title sequence | A new dance number set to Foxy Shazam's "Oh Lord," replacing season 1's Wig Wam song[8](https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/peacemaker-cast-why-opening-dance-number-different-season-2-more-strenuous) |
## Production and release
The season was ordered in February 2022, shortly after the first season premiered. Gunn wrote all eight episodes and directed three, including the premiere; the [Warner Bros. Discovery](https://www.edgepedia.org/warner-bros-discovery) press release lists [John Cena](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-cena), Peter Safran, and Gunn as executive producers.[1](https://press.wbd.com/us/ca/media-release/hbo-max/peacemaker/season-two-max-original-series-peacemaker-dc-studios-debuts-august-21) Gunn worked on the season's editing while simultaneously finishing *Superman*, and production had wrapped before the release campaign began.[9](https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/dc-studios-press-event-james-gunn-peacemaker-season-2-themes/)
The season kept the series' signature choreographed opening credits, but with a new dance number set to [Foxy Shazam](https://www.edgepedia.org/foxy-shazam)'s "Oh Lord" in place of season 1's "Do Ya Wanna Taste It" by Wig Wam; cast members described the new routine as more strenuous.[8](https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/peacemaker-cast-why-opening-dance-number-different-season-2-more-strenuous) A companion series, *Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn*, co-hosted by Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee, broke down each episode after broadcast.[10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBvCiTIzwLA)
## Continuity and the DCU
Season 1 aired in 2022 as part of the [DC Extended Universe](https://www.edgepedia.org/dc-extended-universe) (DCEU). After Gunn and Safran took over DC Studios and launched the DCU, the second season became the character's first fully DCU-set story. Gunn stated that the events of season 1 still occurred nearly identically, with two changes: Chris Smith's references to other DC heroes, and the finale's [Justice League](https://www.edgepedia.org/justice-league) cameo, which was reworked so that the Justice Gang, consisting of Superman, Supergirl, Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl, arrives instead.[6](https://www.dc.com/blog/2025-08-21/everything-you-need-to-know-before-watching-peacemaker-season-two) • [5](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-tv-shows/peacemaker-season-2-canon-dcu/)
The premiere opens with a "previously in the DCU" recap rather than a conventional "previously on," laying out what carries over from season 1.[11](https://www.theringer.com/2025/08/21/dc/peacemaker-season-2-premiere-dcu-james-gunn) Gunn described the season as integral to the franchise's future, saying that *Superman* leads into the show and that the season sets up the rest of the DCU.[5](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-tv-shows/peacemaker-season-2-canon-dcu/) Guy Gardner ([Nathan Fillion](https://www.edgepedia.org/nathan-fillion)) and [Maxwell Lord](https://www.edgepedia.org/maxwell-lord) ([Sean Gunn](https://www.edgepedia.org/sean-gunn)) appear in the premiere, in a scene where Peacemaker interviews for a spot on the Justice Gang.[3](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/what-to-expect-in-peacemaker-season-2/) • [5](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-tv-shows/peacemaker-season-2-canon-dcu/)
## Story and characters
The season follows Chris Smith (John Cena) and the 11th Street Kids roughly six months after they defeated Project Butterfly. The central antagonist is Rick Flag Sr. ([Frank Grillo](https://www.edgepedia.org/frank-grillo)), who debuted in *Creature Commandos* and appeared in *Superman*; as the new Director of A.R.G.U.S., he assembles a squad, including Langston Fleury ([Tim Meadows](https://www.edgepedia.org/tim-meadows)), Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodríguez), and Red St. Wild ([Michael Rooker](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-rooker)), to hunt Peacemaker in revenge for the killing of his son Rick Flag Jr. in *The Suicide Squad*.[6](https://www.dc.com/blog/2025-08-21/everything-you-need-to-know-before-watching-peacemaker-season-two) • [12](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/superhero-shows/peacemaker-season-2-review-darker-and-sadder-than-the-first-year-but-theres-still-a-lot-of-fun-to-be-had-with-the-11th-street-kids/)
A parallel-universe storyline drives the season. Exploring the Quantum Unfolding Chamber in his late father's house, Chris discovers a doorway to an alternate reality where he is a celebrated hero, his father Auggie ([Robert Patrick](https://www.edgepedia.org/robert-patrick)) is alive, and he has a romantic history with Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland).[12](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/superhero-shows/peacemaker-season-2-review-darker-and-sadder-than-the-first-year-but-theres-still-a-lot-of-fun-to-be-had-with-the-11th-street-kids/) Reviewers noted that the multiverse is used for emotional stakes rather than science-fiction plotting, with Chris drawn toward a life where his past is less painful.[13](https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/peacemaker-season-2-review)
The supporting cast carries consequences from season 1: Harcourt is fired from A.R.G.U.S. and blacklisted after Leota Adebayo's (Danielle Brooks) press conference exposed Amanda Waller's operations, Adebayo and her wife Keeya take a break, and John Economos (Steve Agee) is pressed into monitoring Peacemaker for Flag.[4](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/hbo-max/peacemaker-season-2-review) • [12](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/superhero-shows/peacemaker-season-2-review-darker-and-sadder-than-the-first-year-but-theres-still-a-lot-of-fun-to-be-had-with-the-11th-street-kids/) The eight episodes are titled "The Ties That Grind," "A Man Is Only as Good as His Bird," "Another Rick Up My Sleeve," "Need I Say Door," "Back to the Suture," "Ignorance Is Chris," "Like a Keith in the Night," and "Full Nelson."[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/peacemaker_2022/s02)
## Reception
The season was Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, debuting at 100% from early reviews and settling at 94% on the Tomatometer from 149 reviews, with a 78% Popcornmeter audience score; the critics consensus describes the season as going "multidimensional while still maintaining a singular focus on emotional stakes."[2](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/peacemaker_2022/s02) • [14](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-tv-shows/peacemaker-season-2-debuts-to-100-percent-on-rotten-tomatoes-with-critics-calling-it-a-standout-in-superhero-television-and-blood-spattering-bone-crunching-fun/) Metacritic assigned a Metascore of 78, based on 18 critic reviews, categorized as generally favorable.[7](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/peacemaker/season-2/)
Critics generally found the season darker, sadder, and more character-driven than the first, with several comparing its shift in emphasis toward the title character's interior life to *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*.[15](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/peacemaker-season-2-first-reviews/) Common criticisms included underused returning characters, a sense of repetition in the plot beats relative to season 1, and a divisive finale that many viewers found anticlimactic.[12](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/superhero-shows/peacemaker-season-2-review-darker-and-sadder-than-the-first-year-but-theres-still-a-lot-of-fun-to-be-had-with-the-11th-street-kids/) • [16](https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/dc-show-with-96-rotten-tomatoes-just-disappointed-fans-theyre-not-holding-back-not-good-tv/) Cena's performance and the ensemble's chemistry drew consistent praise across reviews.[15](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/peacemaker-season-2-first-reviews/)
## References
1. [Season Two of the Max Original Series PEACEMAKER, From DC Studios, Debuts August 21, Warner Bros. Discovery Pressroom](https://press.wbd.com/us/ca/media-release/hbo-max/peacemaker/season-two-max-original-series-peacemaker-dc-studios-debuts-august-21)
2. [Peacemaker: Season 2, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/peacemaker_2022/s02)
3. [What To Expect In Peacemaker: Season 2, Rotten Tomatoes](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/what-to-expect-in-peacemaker-season-2/)
4. [Peacemaker season 2 review, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/streaming/hbo-max/peacemaker-season-2-review)
5. [Is Peacemaker season 2 in the DCU and is season 1 canon?, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-tv-shows/peacemaker-season-2-canon-dcu/)
6. [Everything You Need to Know Before Watching "Peacemaker" Season Two, DC.com](https://www.dc.com/blog/2025-08-21/everything-you-need-to-know-before-watching-peacemaker-season-two)
7. [Peacemaker Season 2, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/peacemaker/season-2/)
8. [The Peacemaker Cast Explains Why The Opening Dance Number Is Different In Season 2, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/peacemaker-cast-why-opening-dance-number-different-season-2-more-strenuous)
9. [Peacemaker Season 2 Is Almost Complete, Says James Gunn, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/dc-studios-press-event-james-gunn-peacemaker-season-2-themes/)
10. [Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn, Season 2, Ep. 6, YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBvCiTIzwLA)
11. ['Peacemaker' Enters Its Second Season, and Its Second Cinematic Universe, The Ringer](https://www.theringer.com/2025/08/21/dc/peacemaker-season-2-premiere-dcu-james-gunn)
12. [Peacemaker season 2 review, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/superhero-shows/peacemaker-season-2-review-darker-and-sadder-than-the-first-year-but-theres-still-a-lot-of-fun-to-be-had-with-the-11th-street-kids/)
13. ['Peacemaker' Season 2 Review: The DCU's Odd Stepchild Is Better Than Ever, Inverse](https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/peacemaker-season-2-review)
14. [Peacemaker season 2 debuts to 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/dc-tv-shows/peacemaker-season-2-debuts-to-100-percent-on-rotten-tomatoes-with-critics-calling-it-a-standout-in-superhero-television-and-blood-spattering-bone-crunching-fun/)
15. [Peacemaker: Season 2 First Reviews, Rotten Tomatoes](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/peacemaker-season-2-first-reviews/)
16. [Peacemaker Fans Turn on Finale Despite 96% RT Score, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/dc-show-with-96-rotten-tomatoes-just-disappointed-fans-theyre-not-holding-back-not-good-tv/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Seasons, episodes, and installments › Screen seasons › Streaming-original series seasons*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license