Real-Life Love
‘Peacemaker’ Cast’s Real-Life Loves: Meet John Cena’s Wife & More
With all of the fighting, gore, and profanity going on, love isn’t exactly in the air on Peacemaker. Still, Season 1 hinted that romance may be in the cards for Christopher Smith (John Cena) and Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) after they teamed up to save the world in Season 1. Ultimately, the show made the right decision by giving them a slow burn, allowing them to develop a strong trust between them first. We can’t help but hope it pays off and they get together in Season 2.
To mark the occasion of Cena’s beloved antihero coming back for another round of fighting and fun, we did a deep dive into the real-life relationships of the people behind the characters. Find out more about series creator James Gunn‘s relationship with one of Peacemaker‘s stars, whether or not Freddie Stroma (aka the lovably unhinged Vigilante) is single, and more.
Peacemaker, Season 2 Premiere, August 21, 9/8c, HBO Max
John Cena
Though his Christopher didn’t have much romantic action in Peacemaker Season 1, Cena has love in his life. He married Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020.
Shariatzadeh worked in electrical and electronics engineering in Canada, which is where she met Cena, who was filming Playing with Fire. In fact, he was watching the Super Bowl at a restaurant when one of Shariatzadeh’s friends asked for a photo.
“So I got a picture with her, and then she brought by my wife-to-be over, we have our first fan photo, which we hang proudly where we hang our hats. It’s awesome,” he said during a February 2024 appearance on The Howard Stern Show.
They exchanged numbers during their first meeting. “I left the restaurant and on my walk home I [texted], ‘It was so nice to meet you, you’re beautiful, I’d like to get to know you more if you have any free time coming up I’ll make time for you,'” he recalled. “She’s like, ‘You want to go out this weekend?’ I said, ‘Sure.’ ” And the rest is history!
Jennifer Holland & James Gunn
Power couple alert! Holland, who plays the no-nonsense agent Harcourt, is married to the head of DC Studios himself. The actress has been with Gunn since 2015, after actor Michael Rosenbaum (aka Smallville‘s Lex Luthor) introduced them.
“We got really lucky in that we work really well together, and it just works for us,” she said in 2022, the same year they got married.
Since her husband took the reigns of the DC universe, Holland said that there’s been little work-life balance in their relationship. “I’ve not been, in any way, upset or judgmental with James, but I know that his number one focus right now at this time in his life has been taking on this opportunity that he has at DC with 100% full force,” she said.
Freddie Stroma
Stroma has also worked with his wife, actress Johanna Braddy. They met when they filmed the first season of Lifetime’s UnREAL, which aired in 2015. After a year of dating, the couple said “I do” in 2016.
“It feels great to know that she’s family, and that we are together now,” Stroma told People after their wedding. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
Danielle Brooks
Peacemaker’s bestie and government agent Leota is played by Danielle Brooks, who’s been in a relationship with Dennis Gelin for years. They married in 2022 after welcoming a daughter in three years earlier.
“When I reflect on our first year of marriage, I know in my heart, through all the ups and the downs this year came with, I still choose you,” Brooks wrote on Instagram on their first anniversary.
The couple met during a friend’s game night, and Brooks’ future husband caught her attention when he offered to help clean up. “I was so taken aback because there had been at least 10 guys in the room, and no one had thought enough to ask such a thoughtful question,” Brooks said.
The next day, Gelin delivered flowers to the actress’ doorstep. “In that moment, I knew this was a man who was going to always love and appreciate me,” Brooks recalled. “I had found someone who wasn’t going to take me for granted, someone who knew my worth.”
Robert Patrick
Robert Patrick is set to return as Christopher’s villainous dad, who died in Season 1 at the hands of his son. The actor has been married to his wife Barbara since 1990. She’s also a performer, having worked with her husband on projects like The X-Files.
“I love my wife, Barbara Patrick who has believed in me from the start, has picked me up, dusted me off, and sent me back out to fight again!” he wrote on Instagram to celebrate their most recent anniversary. “Who could ask for anything more than to have a spouse who always has your back never lets you down, and gives you the two most precious gifts ever! Austin Jessica and Samuel Robert James! I love you babe, thanks for 34 years of love and friendship!”
David Denman
It seems to be a trend in the Peacemaker cast to marry someone else in the entertainment biz! We don’t know what role David Denman will be playing in Season 2 yet, but we do know who his significant other is: The Rookie star Mercedes Mason! She tied the knot with The Office actor in 2014, and they’ve had two kids since. They frequently show up for each other on the red carpet and post each other on social media.
“I’m so grateful for another trip around the sun,” Denman wrote on his birthday Instagram post in July 2025. “This woman, these boys, this career, is more than I ever dreamed it could be. Nothing but gratitude for how it’s all going.”
Steve Agee
Steve Agee, aka the tech-smart John Economos, tends to keep his romantic life under wraps. In 2012, the comedian spoke about dating writer and TV host Teresa Strasser, but it’s unclear what his relationship status is now.
