Trained killer. Patriot. Maniac. Pet eagle owner. And… sad clown? Well, there’s more to Peacemaker than meets the eye.

The new DC series gives John Cena’s character in The Suicide Squad the spotlight. Picking up after the post-credits scene of the feature film, we see what happens when ARGUS (Advanced Research Group Uniting Superhumans) decides to recruit Peacemaker to do what he does best: keep the peace. By, uh, killing people. Obviously.

Check out the official trailer for the HBO Max series below.

Interestingly, the trailer for the show already reveals a much different Peacemaker than the character we met in The Suicide Squad. One who’s still killing on command, but starting to question why.

“I thought you loved peace, no matter how many men, women, and children you had to kill to get it,” says Jennifer Holland’s Harcourt.

“I don’t know. I think I’m having… feelings about things,” Peacemaker answers.

The trailer showcases a more introspective Peacemaker, unsure of his role in the world. A man starting to ask the big questions instead of just following orders. There’s still plenty of action (and shooting people), mind. But clearly the show wants to explore some more serious character elements, which should add depth to the series.

Walking the character development – superhero action – comedy tightrope is the very capable James Gunn. Following Gunn’s work on The Suicide Squad, he serves as writer and director of the Peacemaker series.

In addition to Cena and Holland, the series stars Danielle Brooks as Adebayo, Freddie Stroma as Vigilante, Chukwudi Iwuji as Murn, Steve Agee as Economos and Robert Patrick as Auggie Smith.

Peacemaker poster HBO Max

The first three episodes of Peacemaker drop on January 17 on HBO Max. The remaining five episodes of the eight-episode season will air weekly through February 17.

Source: HBO Max