Peacemaker | |
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Season 1 | |
Showrunner | James Gunn |
Starring | |
No. of episodes | 8 |
Release | |
Original network | HBO Max |
Original release | January 13 February 17, 2022 | –
Season chronology | |
The first season of the American superhero television series Peacemaker is based on the DC Comics character of the same name. It is the only television series in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. Set after the events of the film, the season further explores jingoistic mercenary Christopher Smith / Peacemaker. It was produced by the Safran Company and Troll Court Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and with James Gunn as showrunner.
John Cena stars as the title character, reprising his role from The Suicide Squad, with Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick also starring. Gunn conceived the series after noting Cena's strength as a dramatic actor while filming The Suicide Squad, and wrote all eight episodes while completing the film during the COVID-19 pandemic. Peacemaker was ordered straight-to-series in September 2020, and additional casting took place over the following months. Filming began in Vancouver, Canada, in January 2021, with Gunn directing five episodes. Production on the season wrapped in July. Gunn chose to use hair metal songs for the season's soundtrack, including "Do Ya Wanna Taste It" by Wig Wam for the opening titles; the title sequence features cast members seriously and stoically performing a choreographed dance number.
The season premiered on the streaming service HBO Max on January 13, 2022, with its first three episodes. The other five episodes were released weekly until February 17. Each episode received higher viewership than the last, and the finale broke the record for highest single day viewership of an HBO Max original episode. The season received positive reviews, particularly for Cena's performance, Gunn's directing and writing, and the opening title sequence. It was nominated for several awards including a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for the season's stunt coordination. A second season was ordered in February 2022 which integrates the series with Gunn's new DC Universe (DCU).[1][2]