As viewers, it’s always kind of strange to discover an actor has a very different accent than the one you’ve gotten used to hearing them use. So, one can only imagine how weird it must’ve been for the “Peacemaker” cast when they discovered that one of their co-stars sounds nothing like the character he plays (or how he had previously spoken on set). Freddie Stroma,the actor who plays Peacemaker’s somehow sweetly sociopathic sidekick Vigilanteis actually British (with a super-fancy full name: Frederic Wilhelm C. J. Sjöström) but he hid his real accent from everyone on-set until well after filming had wrapped on the show’s first season. Even John Cena was shocked when he found out!
Stroma explained his reasoning in an interview with Esquire, saying he was worried his castmates would treat him differently if they knew he wasn’t American.”I just didn’t want them to treat me any differently,” he said. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was worried they’d be like, ‘Oh, he’s putting on an act.’ I wanted them to just see me as Adrian.”
He managed to keep the secret for the entire shoot, even doing all his ADR (additional dialog replacement) in an American accent. it wasn’t until after they’d finished filming that he finally let his true accent slip during a cast party. “I think John was the most shocked,” Stroma admitted. “He was like,’What?! you’re British?!'”
Apparently,the rest of the cast had a similar reaction. Stroma said they were all “gobsmacked” when they found out. It just goes to show how convincing his American accent was, and how dedicated he was to fully embodying the role of vigilante.## Why Freddie Stroma ‘Hid’ His Real Accent From His ‘Peacemaker’ Co-Stars
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In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Steve Agee, who plays fellow 11th Street Kid John Economos, shared that when stroma took on the role of nerdball weirdo adrian Chase/Vigilante, he was worried about his accent slipping up. as Agee put it:
> “Freddie came in and killed it. He’s British unbeknownst to a lot of people on the cast and crew at the time. He was worried about keeping his accent, so he just stayed American [off-camera].”
Gunn obviously knew that Stroma was British, having apparently asked his friend and “Slither” star Elizabeth Banks if the actor was a good guy before hiring him. For those not aware: Stroma’s non-Vigilante roles include the smolderingly hot college radio DJ in the banks-produced “Pitch Perfect,” as well as parts in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” “Bridgerton,” and “Game of Thrones,” so he has his major British franchises on lock. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t recognize him at all despite having seen “Pitch Perfect” enough times that it’s almost aca-awkward. Maybe the whole “Clark Kent wears glasses to hide that he’s Superman” thing isn’t as silly as I always thought! Regardless, Stroma…
Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante: A Surprisingly Lovable Anti-Hero in “Peacemaker”
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Freddie Stroma’s portrayal of Adrian Chase, aka Vigilante, in the HBO Max series “Peacemaker” has been widely praised for its nuanced complexity. Despite a disturbing propensity for violence and questionable associations,Stroma manages to make the character surprisingly endearing,adding significant depth to the show’s overarching themes of redemption.
The appeal of a Hazardous Character
Vigilante presents a compelling paradox: a man capable of brutality who together evokes sympathy. As noted in a Slashfilm interview, Stroma “consistently threads that narrative needle,” making vigilante lovable despite his unsettling behavior. This is achieved through an underlying innocence in Stroma’s performance, portraying the character as a vulnerable, lost soul – a “Tasmanian devil that will shred everything you own,” but still possessing a childlike need for belonging.
Vigilante’s Role in “Peacemaker’s” Redemption Arc
“Peacemaker” centers on the possibility of redemption for individuals who seem beyond saving, and Vigilante significantly contributes to this theme. He is a core member of the ensemble cast, and while he exhibits the least outward change compared to other leads, his potential for growth remains a key element heading into the second season. A recent review of “Peacemaker” Season 2 on Slashfilm highlights the continued advancement of the show’s characters and storylines.
Stroma’s Performance and Unique Talent
While some British actors are known for their ability to seamlessly switch between accents,as demonstrated by Hugh Laurie,Stroma’s strength lies in his authentic portrayal of an American character without attempting an accent. This commitment to the role, rather than vocal mimicry, is presented as a unique and effective acting choice.
New episodes of “Peacemaker” premiere Thursdays on HBO Max.
Sources:
Slashfilm: Peacemaker Actor Freddie Stroma on Playing Vigilante
Slashfilm: Peacemaker Season 2 Review
* Slashfilm: Hugh Laurie Accent Story