At long last, Peacock has confirmed what we’ve long suspected: Michael James Shaw will be playing Axel in the second season of Twisted Metal (the first three episodes of which debut July 31). We finally got our first look at the fan favorite character, who famously drives around with a pair of giant tires attached to his arms, in the official trailer for the new batch of episodes. The footage holds the promise of even more bops from the early aughts like that not-so-subtle Ludacris classic: “Move B****.”
Axel, of course, is just one of several drivers participating in the high-stakes vehicular tournament hosted by the mysterious Calypso (Anthony Carrigan). His fabulous prize? One wish, no strings attached. John Doe (Anthony Mackie), Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz), and newcomer Mayhem (Saylor Bell Curda) hope to come out on top and end the inequality between walled cities and everyone living a paltry existence outside of them.
RELATED: Twisted Metal Season 2 First Look: Calypso’s Killer Tournament Begins in Explosive Clip (WATCH)
That’s definitely a noble cause, but according to Mackie himself, “Everybody’s a villain this season because we’re in a tournament.” After all, to win the contest (named after the show itself) is to see all of your competitors die in the process.
The Season 2 cast also includes Joe Seanoa and Will Arnett (as the body and voice of Sweet Tooth); Mike Mitchell (Stu); Patty Guggenheim (Raven); Tiana Okoye (Dollface, aka John Doe’s long-lost sister); Richard De Klerk (Mr. Grimm); and Lisa Gilroy (Vermin).
“I’m excited for fans to see these characters come to life and see what makes them funny and what makes them heartbroken. I think it’s gonna be fun to dive into these people,” showrunner/executive producer Michael Jonathan Smith told NBC Insider in 2023. “It’s gonna be fun to put them all in a [single] place at the tournament and have them interact. I’m excited about seeing how does Preacher react to Bloody Mary? How does Grimm react to Sweet Tooth?’ There’s a lot of really fun, interconenctive character headspace stuff that I’m really excited to dive into. It feels like a new toy box.”
Watch the official trailer for Twisted Metal Season 2 on Peacock
When does Season 2 of Twisted Metal premiere?
The first three episodes of Twisted Metal Season 2 debut on Peacock Thursday, July 31. The subsequent nine installments will then premiere on a weekly basis through Thursday, August 28.
RELATED: Twisted Metal Season 2 Promises to Be “More Faithful” Adaptation of the Games (EXCLUSIVE)
Check out new first-look images from Twisted Metal Season 2
Twisted Metal is executive-produced by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Anthony Mackie, Will Arnett, Marc Forman, Jason Spire, Grant Dekernion, Peter Principato, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, Hermen Hulst, and showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith.
The complete first season of Twisted Metal can be found on Peacock here!
