Will Peacemaker return for season 3 on HBO Max? Here’s what we know so far about John Cena’s Chris Smith, the fate of the finale, and if another season is happening.
The future of Peacemaker is up in the air as fans wait to learn whether the HBO Max hit will be renewed for a third season. The James Gunn–created series, led by John Cena as Chris Smith, just wrapped up its second season, leaving plenty of unanswered questions about the hero’s fate.
The season two finale paints a bleak picture for Cena’s character. After spending much of the season caught between two worlds, Smith ultimately chose to remain in the alternate universe. But by the final episode, he finds himself behind bars, with the Quantum Unfolding Chamber — his connection to the alternate dimension — seized by the Advanced Research Group of the United States (ARGUS). The agency has wasted no time putting the device to use.
Meanwhile, Smith is consumed with guilt, calling himself the “angel of expletive death” in the teaser for the final episode. According to the finale’s synopsis, Rick Flag Sr. directs his team to search for another dimension using the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, raising questions about whether Smith’s imprisonment is permanent and who else may fall before the story closes.
Despite fan anticipation, HBO Max has not yet confirmed whether Peacemaker will be back for season three. A representative for the streamer told USA TODAY on October 7 that there was no information to share at this time.
If renewed, it’s unclear when season three would premiere. Season one launched on January 13, 2022, while season two arrived more than two years later on August 21, 2024. That lengthy gap suggests fans may be in for another long wait.
As for who could return, the cast for season two included John Cena as Chris Smith/Peacemaker, Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo, Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt, Steve Agee as John Economos, Freddie Stroma as Vigilante/Adrian, Robert Patrick as White Dragon/Auggie Smith, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Jr., David Denman as Keith Smith, Sol Rodriguez as Bordeaux, and Tim Meadows as Langston Fleury. Whether these stars will survive into a potential new season remains to be seen.
Based on the character introduced in James Gunn’s 2021 film The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker follows the “explosive escapades” of a man who believes in peace at any cost — no matter how violent the path. It also holds the distinction of being the first original DC series to premiere on HBO Max, according to the platform’s head of original content Sarah Aubrey.
For now, fans can revisit both seasons of Peacemaker, which are streaming on HBO Max, as they wait for word on whether Chris Smith’s story will continue.
