If you haven’t gotten your fill of the most “batsh*t “(their words, not mine) Emmy-nominated show on television, fear not. Peacock’s hit, apocalyptic comedy Twisted Metal is back for Season 2 and yes, it’s going to get even batsh*ttier! If you’ve not yet seen the Season 2 trailer, you can check it out below…. But let me tell you – from what we just saw at Comic-Con International (SDCC 2025), this season is going to be even more  insane that the trailer suggests.

John Doe (Anthony Mackie) and Quiet (Stefanie Beatrice) are back and ready for more self-discovery, malevolence, and mayhem. Twisted Metal Season 2 will explore their personal journeys, both individual and romantic, as they navigate their way through what every fan of the video game series has been waiting for. Yes folks, this season we finally get to see a tournament!

Twisted Metal is back with a vengeance at SDCC 2025!

As showrunner Michael Jonathan Smith told That Hashtag Show this morning, one of the best parts of the tournament will be its effects. “Yes, there’s going to be CGI, but the majority of what you’ll see is all practical,” he said with the giddiness of a true Twisted Metal fan. His own fandom practically bleeds into the production. “There will be plenty of easter eggs,” deep cuts, and favorite characters (Axel!) to satisfy even the most casual fan.

Twisted Metal Season 2; SDCC 2025

At this afternoon’s panel, Producer Asa Qizilbash let us know that seeing “Axel in real life was absolutely mind-blowing.” Anthony Mackie followed by saying one stunt, a flaming jump with a an Audi TT, “nearly ended my producing career,” the scale is so big and so next-level.

Beatriz went on to explain how the tournament is the perfect opportunity for Quiet “to even the playing field” and tear down the wall between the insiders and outsiders. New-to-the-cast Anthony Carrigan (Calypso) described Twisted Metal Season 2 as “just unhinged enough” that it works.

Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal stars Stephanie Beatriz and Anthony Mackie appear at SDCC 2025. (Image: JJ Goodman for That Hashtag Show, LLC)

Sweet Tooth , Axel elevate Season 2

Joe Seanoa is of course back as Sweet Tooth, with Stu as his “official” protégé. In a first-look scene, Sweet Tooth teaches Stu a thing or two about killing…. We won’t spoil it, but will instead leave it at this: “Apple.” (You’ll know it when you see it.)  Seanoa also teased that his character will have new competition as the wasteland’s apex predator in Twisted Metal Season 2. Could it be Axel?

Image: Peakcock

A second sneak-peak scene depicting Axel’s entrance into the show’s lore wowed the SDCC 2025 panel crowd.  Smith declared that Axel longs to be “so much more than King Sh*t of F*ck Mountain,” and it certainly showed in the clip. We can certainly attest – the practical rig for Axel’s rig is indeed spectacular. “There’s no way that moment won’t reverberate with you,” show star Anthony Mackey added. And the Tournament itself? Well… You’ll just have to see it for yourself.

And, in case you were wondering, Anthony Mackie went to Julliard. (An inside panel joke – you had to be there.)

Twisted Metal Season 2 premiers on Peacock July 31.