When Peacemaker premiered on HBO Max, it quickly established itself as one of the boldest and most unexpected hits in the comic book TV universe. The spin-off of The Suicide Squad from James Gunn was funny, violent, and surprisingly heartfelt, anchored by John Cena as a would-be hero learning to reckon with his past. But at the center of the chaos was Jennifer Holland. As Emilia Harcourt, the steely ARGUS agent who became both the backbone of the 11th Street Kids, she became one of the show’s most compelling characters.
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Holland’s performance stood out not because Harcourt had superpowers but because of the grounded strength she brought to the role. Tough, sharp-witted, and deeply human, Harcourt is the kind of character who cuts through the noise of larger-than-life heroes. For Holland, the role marked a turning point in her career, giving her the chance to play a woman who wasn’t defined by someone else’s story but by her own complexity.
With Season 2 of Peacemaker on the horizon, premiering Aug. 21 on HBO Max, Holland sat down with Parade to talk about what Harcourt means to her, how the character evolves after the events of Season 1, and why the show has resonated so deeply with audiences.
Related: James Gunn’s ‘Peacemaker’ Returns for Season 2 With Several ‘Superman’ Cameos
What does it mean to you to play such a powerful, grounded female character in a genre typically dominated by larger-than-life male heroes?
Oh gosh. It means more than I even know how to put into words. The industry continues to change and shift in ways that portray women as multifaceted, interesting human beings rather than the tropes we were stuck with for so long. You see it now all the time—stories where women are just the leads, not a publicity stunt, not a novelty, just a story about a woman. In most of my career, I was playing weak women who didn’t speak up for themselves, who were secondary to the men, and there to push the male story forward. So getting to play this character, and having someone write it for me because they saw this side of me, is pretty meaningful. When women walk up to me and tell me that Harcourt means something to them, or that her strength means something to them, it fulfills me in such a deep way.
Which parts of Harcourt are most like you, and which aren’t?
Harcourt has a strength, skepticism, and pessimism that are part of my personality. James [Gunn] was able to pull that out and make it a big part of her. But I’m also very different. She’s got this dry sense of humor and makes cutting jokes, which I have in me, but she’s much tougher. In Season 2, she’s in a tough place. She’s lost her job, sold her TV just to keep the lights on. She just wants her purpose back. She doesn’t know who she is without work, and that’s a dark place for her.
What excited you most about returning for Season 2?
I would play this character for the rest of my life. She’s a dream to play. Before I knew how much more depth she’d get in Season 2, I was just excited to explore the relationships between the 11th Street Kids. I love all those characters and actors. We could’ve ended up with a bunch of assholes, but we didn’t. They’re all great.
What part of your performance are you most proud of that audiences might not notice?
I’m proud of the initiative I took to prepare my body for Harcourt. I wanted her to look like someone who could handle heavy weaponry. I worked out really hard, on my own in Season 1, and with my trainer Paulo in Season 2, to put on muscle mass. It’s almost more important for my character than for an actual superhero. Harcourt is just a human being, and I’m a small person. She needed to look like she could believably beat up big guys. That mattered to me.
Related: DC Developing Two New ‘Superman’ Spinoffs Amidst Film’s Stunning Success
I think fans are eager to see where the relationship between Harcourt and Peacemaker is headed. What can you sayabout their relationship moving forward?
Season 1 centered around the bromance between Danielle Brooks’s character and John’s character. Season 2 centers around the relationship between Harcourt and Peacemaker. So you’re going to get the answer to that.
The opening credits dance is iconic. Can you give us a tease about the intro credits for Season 2?
I was a gymnast, so I’m no stranger to choreography, but this isn’t average dancing. It’s its own challenge. We do have a new dance sequence for Season 2, which was important because of the new cast. The first one was lightning in a bottle, but we put our all into this new one. I love it, and I’m so excited for people to see it.
Why do you think Peacemaker resonated so strongly with audiences?
People like stories they can relate to. James wanted to create a grounded story about real, flawed, emotional characters. That’s what people connect to. Some relate because a character feels like them, some because they see a strong female character, and others because they love a lovable buffoon like Peacemaker. He’s not perfect—none of us are—and that’s what makes him redeemable. James wrote real people.
Related: DC Producer Hints Legendary Superhero Could Pop Up in ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2
