Anthony Mackie has built a legacy rooted in versatility, heart, and an unshakable sense of presence. From his breakout role in “8 Mile" to becoming a defining face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the new Captain America, Mackie has consistently brought depth and charisma to every character he portrays.

Beyond the blockbuster spotlight, he's taken on a range of roles that reflect his ability to balance action with humanity—whether it's a war-torn soldier, a conflicted superhero, or a man searching for purpose in a fractured world. With every performance, Mackie continues to solidify his place as one of this generation's most dynamic leading men.

Now, Mackie is revving up for the second season of “Twisted Metal,” the post-apocalyptic series where he stars as John Doe, a wisecracking outsider with amnesia. 

Season two dives deeper into the chaos as John and his partner Quiet enter the deadly Twisted Metal tournament, a brutal demolition derby hosted by the enigmatic Calypso. As John battles twisted foes and familiar enemies like the killer clown Sweet Tooth, the emotional stakes rise with the reappearance of his long-lost sister, now known as the vigilante Dollface. 

For the “Captain America” star, playing John Doe in “Twisted Metal" was less about stepping into a character with a rich backstory and more about shaping one from the ground up. A name typically reserved for the unknown, Mackie turned “John Doe” into something unforgettable.

“The thing about this character and this show is you want to make it memorable, but at the same time you want to make it authentic to the John Doe that we set up in the first season. When we initially meet John Doe at the beginning of the first season, he says he's the most badass driver in the outside world. At the same time, he doesn't have a memory of anything that's happened. Every moment is a new moment, a fresh start, and a new opportunity to create more memories for him. So as we build on that, we start to see this iconic character form.”

Off-screen, Mackie sparked headlines for a different reason for his viral appearance on “The Pivot", where he made waves with his thoughts on masculinity and manhood. 

The conversation was polarizing, drawing both praise and pushback. But for Mackie, the message was simple: it’s about mutual respect.

“One thing you have to understand is in this day and age, we are asked to allow everyone to be themselves and we respect them for that,” he explains.

“No matter what your background is, no matter what your belief is, the First Amendment says you can express it and I have to appreciate that for being who you are. That has nothing to do with me. So however you live your life, I respect that. I want that for you. That's good for you. However I live my life, I’m gonna need you to let that be good for me.”

Even with his success, Mackie stays deeply grounded. There are certain rituals that remind him exactly who he is—and where he came from.

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That gratitude runs even deeper when he thinks of home. This August marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans—a city that still shapes everything about who Mackie is.

“New Orleans has evolved in many different ways, but the essence and truth of New Orleans is still there,” he says. “I love my city for many different reasons, but I love my city the most because local true New Orleanians—you know somebody who is from New Orleans by where they went to school. I left Bienville and I went to Gentilly Terrace. Then I went to F.W. Gregory, left Gregory, went to Livingston, went to Warren Easton. So if you can’t make that track, you’re not from New Orleans. If you eat your crawfish with gloves, you ain't from New Orleans,” he adds with a laugh.

You can stream “Twisted Metal” with its second season premiering on July 31st, exclusively on Peacock.