John Cena and Frank Grillo Praise Each Other Ahead of Peacemaker Season 2 Premiere
New York, NY – As the highly anticipated second season of HBO Max’s Peacemaker gears up for its premiere, co-stars Frank Grillo and Jennifer Holland have offered effusive praise for lead actor John Cena, highlighting a surprising depth to his performance and unparalleled professionalism on set.
Attending the season’s premiere event, Grillo, 60, specifically lauded Cena’s dramatic capabilities, stating the former WWE superstar’s portrayal caught him ‘off guard — in the best way.’ Grillo, who joins the cast as Rick Flag Sr., a character poised to be at odds with Cena’s Peacemaker, shared his profound admiration in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. ‘He surprised me the most because he’s an amazing actor,’ Grillo revealed, emphasizing the challenging nature of the upcoming season’s script. ‘What he does on this show, with this season specifically, he’s got some heavy weights to lift.’
Beyond his acting prowess, Grillo, known for his roles in films like The Resurrection of Charles Manson, also described the 48-year-old Cena as ‘maybe the nicest guy I’ve ever met in my life,’ extending his praise to the entire ensemble, calling it ‘an amazingly deep cast.’
Jennifer Holland, reprising her role as Emilia Harcourt, echoed Grillo’s sentiments on the red carpet. Having worked with Cena since the series’ inception, Holland commended him as a ‘consummate professional.’ She added, ‘I couldn’t have asked for a better, more professional partner than John in this whole ride from season 1 to season 2, honestly.’ The second season promises a deeper dive into Peacemaker’s complex psyche, with an official synopsis revealing Cena’s character will ‘face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands’ as he ‘discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be.’
The ensemble cast for Peacemaker Season 2 also includes returning favorites Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, and Steve Agee, alongside newcomers like Sol Rodriguez, Nhut Le, and Michael Rooker. The series, critically acclaimed for its unique blend of action, comedy, and poignant drama, continues under the creative vision of director James Gunn. Fans can mark their calendars for the season two premiere of Peacemaker on HBO Max, set for August 21st at 9 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. PST.
