Peacemaker (2022–) is an HBO original series that debuted on HBO Max. Part of the DC Extended Universe, the plot centers around Christopher Smith (played by John Cena), also known as the antihero Peacemaker, following his hospitalization in The Suicide Squad (2021). Initially believing he could cut loose from the world of black-ops and be a free man, the arrival of a team of agents surrounding his house quickly crushes those hopes. Peacemaker is thrust back into his old life to take on the mysterious “Project Butterfly” with his new, quirky, and diverse team of misfits.
A central conflict in the series revolves around Peacemaker’s strained relationship with his father, Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick), a cruel and violent man who also happens to be the villainous White Dragon. Auggie, a deeply racist and sexist figure, subjects Peacemaker to mistreatment throughout his childhood and adulthood, fueling much of his inner turmoil. Their relationship shifts from a mild alliance to outright animosity as Peacemaker grapples with his desire for his father’s approval, all while his own still-flawed ideals evolve.
The most significant example of bisexuality in Peacemaker is the title character himself. He is initially portrayed as hypersexual toward women, but with subtle indications that he may also have sexual interest in men. In the first episode, Peacemaker discusses bisexuality positively during a conversation about Aquaman, showing no issue with Aquaman’s relationships with both men and women, but finding it odd that Aquaman is rumored to engage with fish.
Early in the series, Peacemaker is shown flirting with a female colleague who clearly isn’t interested. After his failure to woo her, he heads to a local bar where he finds a woman to hook up with. However, she turns out to be the first “butterfly” — a body-stealing alien — that he encounters, leading to a hilariously unexpected twist.
Peacemaker’s dynamic with Adrian Chase (Freddie Stroma), aka Vigilante — an overly attached superfan — suggests a potential deeper connection between the two. Though their relationship is never explicitly defined as romantic or sexual, Vigilante frequently gazes at Peacemaker with apparent affection, further hinting at a more intimate bond. At one point, they are even seen in bed together with a woman. Peacemaker’s bisexuality is confirmed in a powerful moment during a confrontation with his father. In their emotional fight, Auggie condemns Peacemaker’s sexuality, saying, “I knew when you slept with the whores of polluted blood! And men!” This explosive moment underscores the tension in their relationship and highlights Peacemaker’s struggle with his father’s toxic views.
In an interview with Empire Magazine, show creator James Gunn commented on Peacemaker’s sexual identity:
‘Peacemaker is an interesting character because he’s so f*****-up in so many ways, and then in other ways, he is kind of weirdly forward-thinking,’ Gunn explained. ‘John does improv all the time, and he just turned Christopher Smith into this hyper-sexualized dude that is open to anything sexually. I was surprised by that. But I thought, ‘I guess it makes sense that this guy isn’t one-dimensional.’
Peacemaker is a bi character who is still exploring, growing, and finding himself. With season two on the horizon, it will be interesting to see what next steps Peacemaker takes and how his bisexuality evolves along with it.