Peacemaker star reveals why Season 2 was harder to film than the first

Promotional poster for Peacemaker | Image via HBO Max
Promotional poster for Peacemaker | Image via HBO Max

Peacemaker stood out right away in its first season with an opening dance that quickly became part of the show’s identity. The routine caught people off guard and turned into one of the moments everyone kept talking about. When season 2 came around, the idea returned, only this time the sequence was larger and more demanding. Steve Agee, who plays John Economos, shared that filming it felt noticeably tougher than the first.

The decision to expand the opening credits meant that both cast and crew had to face new challenges. What once took only a single afternoon of shooting required extended preparation, longer rehearsals, and more coordination. The sequence grew into something more elaborate, reflecting the scale of the second season itself.


The rehearsal process

Agee described how the training for the new choreography stretched across weeks. He said:

"It was really difficult learning this dance. The first one was difficult. We don't show up on the day and have Charissa show us how to do the moves. It's a day or two each week for a few months going in and meeting with her, and she breaks down the dance into the sections."

According to him, the work involved regular meetings with choreographer Charissa-Lee Barton, who separated the routine into parts that could be learned step by step.

This method, already used in season 1, became more demanding because of the increased length of the sequence. The new choreography was longer, included more performers, and required consistent effort from everyone involved.

Peacemaker | Image via HBO Max
Peacemaker | Image via HBO Max

More characters on screen

The second season also introduced new figures to the dance number. In addition to the familiar members of the 11th Street Kids, the opening featured Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, and Langston Fleury, portrayed by Tim Meadows. Characters from an alternate universe discovered by Peacemaker in his father’s closet also appeared. The expansion of the lineup added more time to the sequence and created new demands for the choreography.


Peacemaker season 2 filming length

The difference between the two seasons became clear in the time spent filming. While the first season’s dance was captured in a single afternoon, the second required two full days to complete. The longer production period illustrates how much more complex the scene became.

Peacemaker | Image via HBO Max
Peacemaker | Image via HBO Max

The final moment

The closing image of the credits, referred to as the body pile, shows the cast lying on the ground in a staged heap. Agee commented:

"if you watch, I'm one of the last people to lay down and you can clearly see me looking for a comfortable place."

His remark points to the fact that even this seemingly simple moment required careful choices from the actors.


The role of music

Music had a big part in how the credits felt. Season 2 moved to Oh Lord by Foxy Shazam, and the song gave it a weight that felt sharper and more intense. Season 1 had gone with Do Ya Wanna Taste It? by Wig Wam, and that one carried a lighter, playful edge. Put side by side, the switch almost felt like watching two different moods play out. Not exactly the same vibe, and that was the point.


Complexity as a defining feature

The second season of Peacemaker showed that the series wasn’t just repeating what had already worked. The opening still had the same offbeat spirit, but this time it came with extra weight for everyone involved. More faces on screen, longer hours learning the moves, and two full days just to capture it all. The result didn’t look like a copy of the first version; it felt like the show pushing itself to go bigger.

Peacemaker | Image via HBO Max
Peacemaker | Image via HBO Max

Upcoming episodes

New episodes premiere on Thursdays on HBO Max. The longer and more elaborate opening already signals what the season is set to deliver. The additional work involved in putting the sequence together reflects a commitment to expand the production and introduce fresh elements for the audience.


Conclusion

Season 2 of Peacemaker required more effort and preparation to complete the opening sequence. With longer choreography, extended rehearsals, new characters, and a demanding filming schedule, the process was significantly different from the first year. Steve Agee’s comments underline how the second season challenged the cast while also shaping one of the most distinctive moments of the show.

Edited by Sroban Ghosh