When do new episodes of 'Peacemaker' Season 2 release? Date, time, how to watch

John Cena returned as Chris Smith, aka Peacemaker, in Season 2 of the series of the same name, with a premiere that was fun, yet explosive, and set the stage for what is to come.

Based on the character from director and screenwriter James Gunn's 2021 film "The Suicide Squad," the series follows the "explosive escapades" of Peacemaker, "a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it," according to HBO.

In Season 2 of the series, Peacemaker "discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be." However, it also puts him in a position where he is forced "to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands."

Cena, during a Season 2 panel for the action-comedy series at Comic-Con, said Peacemaker “is going through a rough patch in life and thinks the grass might be greener on the other side.”

“That’s something people can relate to," the WWE star turned actor added.

All eight episodes of "Peacemaker" Season 2 were written by Gunn, who also directed three episodes this season, including the first one. "Peacemaker" is also the first original DC show to have its series premiere on HBO Max, according to HBO Max Head of Original Content Sarah Aubrey.

Gunn, meanwhile, at Comic-Con, said Season 2 is more extreme than the first and is definitely not for kids. A very sexual situation is in the first episode, and it made actor Steve Agee (John Economos) think, “It’s insane we’re showing it on cable.”

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Here's what to know about Season 2 of "Peacemaker," including the release date and cast.

'Peacemaker' Season 2: John Cena, James Gunn tease new season

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When does the next episode of 'Peacemaker' Season 2 come out?

New episodes of "Peacemaker" Season 2 drop Thursdays on HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The next episode releases on the streaming service on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Season 2 of "Peacemaker" premiered on Thursday, Aug. 21.

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How to watch 'Peacemaker' Season 2

Season 2 of "Peacemaker" will be available to stream on HBO Max every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Season 1 of "Peacemaker" is also available to stream on HBO Max.

Watch 'Peacemaker' with Sling + Max

How many episodes will 'Peacemaker' Season 2 have?

Season 2 of “Peacemaker” will have eight episodes, with the finale scheduled for Thursday, October 9, according to HBO Max.

'Peacemaker' Season 2 cast

• John Cena as Chris Smith / Peacemaker
• Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo
• Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt
• Steve Agee as John Economos
• Freddie Stroma
• Robert Patrick

New cast members include:

• Frank Grillo
• David Denman
• Sol Rodriguez
• Tim Meadows

Watch 'Peacemaker' Season 2 trailer

Contributing: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.