Peacemaker release date, cast, teaser trailer and more

John Cena as Peacemaker in HBO Max's Peacemaker show
(Image credit: HBO Max)

The Peacemaker TV show is bringing one of the breakout characters from James Gunn's The Suicide Squad to the smaller screen at home. And so, expect the same kind of wacky, inane behavior we saw from John Cena, who stole nearly every scene he was able to in the DC movie. And he's not alone on this mission either.

The film reunites Peacemaker with two of the operatives that aided The Suicide Squad in the film, John Economos and Emilia Harcourt. But that's not the real big news. Peacemaker's got a pet. And, of course, in the name of patriotism, it's an eagle. And it seems that Eagly will become a beloved character in its own right. It was Gunn himself, the series' creator/writer/co-director, who revealed that Eagly "steals the show," at DC Fandome.

So, what should we expect from Peacemaker? And when is it getting here? Let's dive right in.

Peacemaker teaser trailer

The Peacemaker teaser trailer revealed at DC Fandome picks up where The Suicide Squad post-credits scene left off: at the hospital. Peacemaker is frustrated to find that a custodian (Rizwan Manji) has never heard of him, and that sets the mood. 

Then, we see Peacemaker blowing stuff up, thrusting his crotch and bending so far forward that he's looking behind himself and shooting (between his legs) the "peace" symbol into a metallic surface. 

The Peacemaker trailer reveals enough of the show to give us an idea of its plot. Peacemaker, still alive, is still working for Amanda Waller. Except that he's now working for one of her underlings, Clemson Murn (Chukwudi Iwuji). This is how he starts working with his new field handler Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and tactics expert John Economos (Steve Agee). Also on their team is Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), who seems interested in at least humoring Peacemaker in conversation. Then, there's Vigilante (Freddie Stroma), also on the team. His name tips off his duties: he's a wanna-be crime fighting vigilante.

When Peacemaker's not on missions, he's at home with his father Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick). The two seem to have a lot of issues, as dear old dad calls his son a "nancy boy."

Peacemaker cast

Peacemaker is a minor reunion from The Suicide Squad, with Cena reuniting with  Agee and Holland, who (respectively) played John Economos and Emilia Harcourt in that film. They reported to Amanda Waller in that film, though Viola Davis won't be returning. 

The other big names in the show include Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgement Day) as Auggie Smith, the father of Christopher Smith (aka Peacemaker). 

It appears that Danielle Brooks (Orange Is the New Black) will have a large role in the series, as her character Leota Adebayo seems to be getting a lot of time to chat with Peacemaker.

The cast, as we know it, is below:

  • John Cena as Peacemaker / Christopher Smith
  • Steve Agee as John Economos, warden of Belle Reve penitentiary and aide to Amanda Waller
  • Jennifer Holland as NSA agent Emilia Harcourt, also an aide to Waller
  • Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo
  • Robert Patrick as Auggie Smith, Peacemaker's father
  • Freddie Stroma as Vigilante, a vigilante crimefighter
  • Chukwudi Iwuji as Clemson Murn
  • Lochlyn Munro as Larry Fitzgibbon
  • Annie Chang as Detective Sophie Song
  • Christopher Heyerdahl as Captain Locke
  • Elizabeth Ludlow as Keeya
  • Rizwan Manji as Jamil
  • Nhut Le as Judomaster

Peacemaker release date and episode schedule

Peacemaker show poster

(Image credit: HBO Max)

You can watch Peacemaker online on HBO Max starting on January 13. There are eight episodes in total, and we're expecting weekly releases. 

Fandom (via ScreenRant) reported that the first three episodes — titled "A Whole New Whirled," "Best Friends Never," and "Better Goff Dead," — will be coming out together on the release date. But that was back when we thought it would be on January 16. 

What are Peacemaker's powers?

The art for the Peacemaker show

(Image credit: HBO Max)

Is patriotism a power? If so, then Peacemaker's got an abundance of that superpower. Aside from that, Christopher Smith's powers are more human than superhuman. 

As we saw multiple times in The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker's an incredibly accurate marksman and spectacular fighter. He's also in peak physical condition.

Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.