John Cena's Peacemaker series finally gets UK air date

James Gunn's The Suicide Squad spin-off Peacemaker, starring John Cena, will air on Sky and stream on NOW from 22 March, it's been confirmed.

UK fans have been dodging spoilers online ever since the eight-part series, written by the Guardians of the Galaxy helmer, aired on HBO Max in North America earlier this year.

But now Sky has picked up the show with Gunn announcing the news on Twitter.

Peacemaker explores the origins of the character — real name Chris Smith — that John Cena portrayed in James Gunn's 2021 film, The Suicide Squad. The press pack describes the character as 'a compellingly vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it.'

Read more: James Gunn shares original title for The Suicide Squad

The series stars John Cena as Peacemaker, Danielle Brooks as Adebayo, Freddie Stroma as Vigilante, Jennifer Holland as Harcourt, Steve Agee as Economos, Chukwudi Iwuji as Murn and Robert Patrick as Auggie Smith.

Gunn wrote all eight episodes of Peacemaker and directed five, including the first. Gunn, Safran and Matt Miller serve as executive producers on the series, with John Cena as co-executive producer.

Based on characters from DC, Peacemaker is produced by Gunn’s Troll Court Entertainment and The Safran Company in association with Warner Bros. Television.

A second season has already been announced after the show received overwhelmingly positive reviews for its dark humour and OTT action.

Talking about how character earned his own spin-off series, Gunn told Vulture: "[John Cena is] a guy I love and think is a great dude, and the kind of person I want to be in business with because he has so much integrity... Being able to make a show with people I really love around me is my favourite joy on earth.

Read more: John Cena 'blown away' by James Gunn

"Another part of it was that Peacemaker did seem like the one character who did not have a positive arc in The Suicide Squad.

"I also think he’s the most socially relevant character in The Suicide Squad. Chris stands in for a lot of people today, or at least aspects of the norm. But he’s also a very nuanced character."

All eight episodes of Peacemaker will be available to stream on NOW with a Sky Entertainment Membership from 22 March.

Watch: Peacemaker outtakes