Summary
In Twisted Metal season 1, viewers are introduced to a refreshing concept as the story unfolds amidst a post-apocalyptic wasteland, where an amnesiac courier named John Doe takes center stage.Fan-favorite characters like Sweet Tooth and Raven make appearances in the show, despite its deviation from the game's canon.
In season 2, the series introduces the actual tournament and hints at the significant involvement of the mysterious organizer Calypso.
Twisted Metal season 1 may not adhere closely to any of the games in the franchise, but it still features many of the beloved video game characters. The original Twisted Metal game first released on PlayStation in 1995 and gave rise to a whole series of games. Each Twisted Metal game revolves around the eponymous tournament, where racers, such as Sweet Tooth or Dollface, compete in customized vehicles armed with unique weapons. The enigmatic Calypso typically organizes the contest and promises to grant the winner their deepest desires.
The Twisted Metal video games do not follow a strict narrative continuity, as each new entry essentially acts as a fresh start. Peacock's Twisted Metal season 1 follows this approach, with Anthony Mackie portraying John Doe, an amnesiac courier assigned to traverse a post-apocalyptic wasteland in order to deliver a mysterious package. The actual tournament itself will be reserved for Twisted Metal season 2, but most of the game's beloved characters appear in significant or minor roles.
14 John Doe
The character named John Doe in Peacock's Twisted Metal shares the same name as the character from Twisted Metal: Black and both suffer from amnesia. However, that is where the similarities between them end. In the show, John Doe originates from San Francisco but loses his memory in a car accident. Although Calypso is absent to grant any desires, John's aspiration is to secure a permanent place in New San Francisco and become the first retiree known as the "Milkman."
In Twisted Metal: Black, John is an inmate at Blackfield Asylum with a wish to recover his forgotten memories. He believes he was once a member of a gang that attempted to destroy a Disease Control building. However, his story takes a twist when it is revealed in the end that he was actually an undercover FBI agent who successfully prevented the bombing. This revelation positions him as one of the more heroic characters in the game. Nevertheless, Calypso ironically manipulates John's desire to uncover his identity.
13 Sweet Tooth
Sweet Tooth, portrayed by Samoa Joe (voiced by Will Arnett), is a highly ironic character in the Twisted Metal games. This version of Sweet Tooth was a former child star who becomes consumed by jealousy towards his co-star, a beloved dog. This envy ultimately drives him to a violent and murderous rage, resulting in his confinement to an asylum. Doe and Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) initially encounter Sweet Tooth in Vegas, and the deranged clown embarks on a road trip across the Divided States of America, launching attacks on law enforcement outposts and amassing a following.
Throughout the Twisted Metal series, Sweet Tooth is recognized for his chilling clown mask and his distinctive ice cream truck. His backstory, however, has undergone various reinventions. In Twisted Metal 4, he even assumes the role of the contest organizer after overthrowing Calypso. Nevertheless, in almost every installment, Sweet Tooth is portrayed as a serial killer driven by a desire for chaos. In the latest release, 2012's Twisted Metal, Sweet Tooth's primary objective is to locate the sole survivor of his murderous spree, referred to as the "One who got away."
12 Raven
Neve Campbell portrays Raven in Twisted Metal, assuming the role of the Chief Operating Officer of New San Francisco. Although considered one of the primary antagonists in the series, Raven makes appearances solely in the initial and final episodes, with her true intentions unraveled only in the concluding scenes of Twisted Metal. It is important to note that this depiction of Raven has no association with the character named Raven in Twisted Metal: Black. In that iteration, Raven was a goth teenager participating in the tournament to avenge her best friend's death, caused by a group of boys. Interestingly, Raven's story concludes on a positive note, contrary to Calypso's customary malevolence.
11 Agent Stone
Agent Stone, portrayed by Thomas Haden Church, serves as the primary antagonist in Twisted Metal. He is held responsible for the death of Quiet's brother and relentlessly pursues both Quiet and John Doe. Prior to the apocalypse, Stone worked as a mall cop, facing little admiration. However, after the world's demise, he transformed into a merciless law enforcer, punishing even the most minor transgressions. The initial rendition of Agent Stone in Twisted Metal featured him as a covert operative, driving the sleek Crimson Fury vehicle. In contrast, the version depicted in the TV series, likely inspired by the game, shares similarities with this Stone incarnation. Although still portrayed as an uncompromising lawman, this version of Stone seeks to rectify a past error.
10 Agent Shepard
In Twisted Metal: Head-On for the PSP, Agent Shepard is an FBI agent with impeccable integrity who assumes the role of the new driver for the Crimson Fury. His ultimate goal is straightforward: if he emerges victorious in the tournament, he will personally take down Calypso. Jared Bankens portrays Agent Shepard in the TV adaptation, where he diverges significantly from his video game counterpart. In this version, Shepard, distinguished by his lengthy locks and occupation in law enforcement, transforms into Stone's merciless henchman and becomes a prime target of Quiet's vengeance for his brother's demise.
9 Miranda Watts
Peacock's live-action Twisted Metal features Jamie Neumann as Miranda Watts, the steadfast leader of a moving convoy of trucks. She is romantically involved with Diany Rodriguez's character, Amber, who is a florist. Throughout their journey, Miranda and her convoy become allies with John and Quiet during their road trip. In the finale, Miranda takes the wheel of the Twister car, much like her counterpart from Twisted Metal: Head-On. This iteration of the character participated in the race to search for her missing sister.
8 Amber Rose
Diany Rodriguez's Amber seems to draw inspiration from Amber Rose, a character featured in Twisted Metal III. In this widely criticized installment, Amber piloted the Flower Power vehicle and portrayed an advocate for the environment who joined the competition to prevent its devastation on the world.
7 Bloody Mary
Chloe Fineman portrays Peacock, John's former lover, in episode 7 “NUTH0UZ” of Twisted Metal. The story takes a turn when John and Quiet make a pit stop at Milkman Pitstop, where various characters from the game also make appearances. During this encounter, Mary reminisces about their past, feeling frustrated that her feelings for John were unrequited and that he is retiring due to a mysterious package. Fueled by her anger, Mary concocts a plot against John. In the game, Bloody Mary drives the Spectre and participates in the race with the hope of finally meeting her true love after a lifetime of romantic disappointment.
6 Carl & Jamie Roberts
5 Calypso
Carl and Jamie Roberts, a sibling duo, served as dedicated members of the police force in the original games. In the initial installment, Carl took charge of driving the Outlaw vehicle. However, after mysteriously vanishing, due to Calypso launching him into outer space in his Twisted Metal's ending, Jamie participated in the subsequent tournament with the goal of locating her brother. On the television series adaptation, Michael Carollo portrays Carl, while Jamie is portrayed by Chelle Ramos. Despite their continued affiliation with the law enforcement, they find themselves compelled to follow the orders of Agent Stone, much to their dismay.Calypso, the enigmatic organizer of the tournament, is known to fulfill the heart's desires of the winners, except in Twisted Metal 4. His origins remain shrouded in mystery as he consistently assumes the role of the antagonist in every iteration. While he only briefly appears on the Twisted Metal show, his presence is felt through his voice during episode 7 and a glimpse of him from behind in the finale. The conclusion of Twisted Metal season 1 sets the stage for the upcoming season, where Calypso is poised to assume a prominant role.
4 Mike & Stu
One of the notable attractions of the show is the dynamic duo of Mike and Stu, who were the drivers of the legendary Hammerhead monster truck in Twisted Metal 2. Although they haven't made an appearance in any subsequent games, they play significant roles as supporting characters in Peacock's Twisted Metal. Stu, portrayed by Mike Mitchell, and Mike, played by Tahj Vaughans, join forces with Stone as new agents. However, Stu becomes disillusioned with Stone's ruthless methods and decides to leave. He later aligns himself with Sweet Tooth, resulting in a fierce rivalry between former best friends Mike and Stu.
3 Dollface
In the climactic ending of Twisted Metal, John revisits his childhood residence and uncovers a treasure trove of old photographs, triggering a flood of memories involving his parents and sister. Despite assuming that he had lost them all, the final moments showcase the unexpected encounter between Quiet and Dollface and their army of Dolls. Astonishingly, it is revealed that this incarnation of Dollface is none other than John's long-lost sister who has been tirelessly searching for her sibling. The motivation behind her quest remains shrouded in mystery, raising questions of whether it is driven by a desire for vengeance or something entirely different. Dollface makes appearances in both Twisted Metal: Black and the 2012 installment of the game, portraying a former supermodel whose visage suffered severe disfigurement following a harrowing car accident.
2 Preacher
1 Twisted Metal "Milkman Pitstop" Cameos
Preacher made his debut in Twisted Metal: Black as the Brimstone driver before reprising his role in Twisted Metal 2012. In the TV series, he undergoes a comic adaptation portrayed by Jason Mantzoukas (Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Like in the 2012 game, Preacher once again leads The Holy Men, a rowdy group who carries out thefts under his guidance. This includes stealing John's cherished car Ev3lin, igniting a conflict between the two.
In episode 7 of Twisted Metal, John and Quiet encounter a variety of fellow drivers, some of whom are familiar characters from the game series. One of these is Conner Nazang, also known as "Pizza Boy" from Twisted Metal 4, portrayed by Connor Silcox. Alexa Milano takes on the role of "Petunia." Additionally, "Pit Viper" makes an appearance, likely representing Angela Fortin from the original game. Another notable character is Mr. Slam, played by Creek Wilson, who is the owner of the pitstop in the Twisted Metal series and earns his nickname due to a peculiar talent.