Peacemaker star Freddie Stroma opens up on DCU overlap and R-rated tone of the shows

Peacemaker has never been a show for the faint of heart, and now that it sits inside James Gunn's shiny new DC Universe, fans are asking: will its wild, unapologetically adult edge survive?

Freddie Stroma, who plays Vigilante, has given a clear answer: yes, it will. In fact, he admitted he's both excited and uneasy about how the overlap with DCU's lighter titles, like Superman, may affect audiences coming in blind.

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Freddie Stroma on how DCU changes affect Peacemaker

For Freddie Stroma, stepping into Season 2 was less about a change in rules and more about continuing as usual. Speaking with Discussing Film, Stroma said,

"It's weird because it's a new universe, but it doesn't really affect us as much. I keep thinking about the fact that Superman has come out, and then, if younger viewers are going to come in and see that first episode, I don't know what they're going to think."

That worry is valid. Superman, which landed digitally in August, was created as a fresh start for the DCU's "Gods and Monsters" phase, serving as a reintroduction of classic icons.

Peacemaker, on the other hand, proudly wears its R-rating, filled with profanity, blood, and explicit moments that are far from Metropolis's wholesome optimism. Stroma emphasized this contrast in his comments, adding;

"We're the Peacemaker lot and we do pretty R-rated stuff."

What makes this overlap tricky is the possibility that families who enjoyed Superman could stumble onto the show expecting the same tone. Instead, the Season 2 release alone unleashes ultimate chaos, including a jaw-dropping orgy scene that no one will forget for a long, long time.

The tone gap isn't just noticeable; it's also intentional. James Gunn, who has integrated this project into his bigger vision, seems unbothered by the contrast, embracing the idea that his universe can include both Superman's sincerity and Peacemaker's raw, messy, and chaotic storytelling at once.

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Season 2 doubles down on adult storytelling

If there were concerns about Peacemaker being "toned down" within the DCU, Season 2 quickly dismisses them. The show comes back after more than three years, and its first episode wastes no time pushing boundaries.

John Cena's Christopher Smith starts the season in deep depression, reeling from family trauma and personal failures, and this is portrayed unapologetically adult.

His spiral leads to a night of drug use and a surreal sex party, with full frontal nudity that goes further than any previous live action DC project.

Stroma's comments about the R-rated style resonate especially here. This isn't superhero storytelling made polished for mass appeal. Instead, it's about flawed, broken people stumbling through violence and regret while trying to cling to scraps of heroism.The new season also continues Gunn's pattern of reshuffling canon. The Justice League cameo from Season 1 has been replaced with members of the Justice Gang, aligning the series directly with the Superman timeline.

At the same time, the old "Project Butterfly" storyline is set aside, showing Gunn is more interested in repositioning Peacemaker than holding on to old threads. Yet, beneath the blood and chaos, Season 2 explores something much more emotional.

Peacemaker is haunted by his past- his father's shadow, his brother's death, and his desire to be recognized as a true hero. The AU storyline only sharpens these struggles even more.

In a way, the explicit visuals and profanity only amplify the show's real heart: a man fighting not just villains, but himself.

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Freddie Stroma's concerns about Peacemaker clashing with the DCU's broader, family-friendly titles highlight exactly what makes this show unique. It doesn't compromise.

Season 2 proves the series can coexist within the DCU without losing its meaning, charm, or voice. Despite its gore, nudity, and humor, the show remains fundamentally a story about redemption, messy, dark, and painfully human, just the way fans love it.