The second season of Twisted Metal premieres in the United States on July 31, 2025. All episodes will drop at once on Peacock. The announcement came with exciting news: this time, the show will dive straight into the chaos of the demolition derby—the central tournament from the original game series.
From chaos to competition: now it’s for real
Released in 2023, the first season surprised audiences with its lighthearted, violent, and fun approach. The story played out in a post-apocalyptic world that felt more comical than dark. As a result, the show gained traction for its over-the-top action, outrageous humor, and a visual style that felt more like Fallout than The Last of Us.
However, the Twisted Metal tournament—the core of the games—was notably missing. Therefore, the new season aims to fix that. According to the producers, the derby will now take center stage, with brutal matches, insane vehicles, and all the iconic characters from the franchise.
Main cast returns with explosive new faces
The core cast remains intact:
Anthony Mackie returns as John Doe
Stephanie Beatriz reprises her role as Quiet
Will Arnett continues to voice the psychotic clown, Sweet Tooth
In addition, the cast gains a major addition: Anthony Carrigan (Barry) joins as Calypso, the mysterious tournament host and a classic character from the games.
It’s also worth noting that the creative team still includes names behind hits like Cobra Kai and Deadpool, which helps preserve the show’s fast-paced, irreverent, and chaotic tone.
The future of video game adaptations on TV
Currently, Twisted Metal is part of a new wave of video game adaptations gaining traction on television. Other notable examples include Arcane, The Last of Us, Castlevania: Nocturne, and Knuckles.
Meanwhile, the same trend is booming in theaters, with hits like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming Minecraft film.
On the other hand, while some adaptations aim for deep drama, Twisted Metal takes a very different road. The series leans into stylized violence, dark humor, and exaggerated characters that seem ripped straight from a ’90s arcade game. In doing so, it carves out a unique identity that doesn’t rely on emotional prestige.
Conclusion
The second season of Twisted Metal promises to deliver exactly what fans have been waiting for: the tournament, the chaos, and the violent spirit of the franchise.
With that, the series doubles down on its promise to not take itself too seriously—and still make a lasting impression. Unlike so many adaptations that chase prestige, Twisted Metal hits the gas on absurdity—and that’s where it finds its edge.
