One Piece Live-Action Season 3 Unveils Major Character Castings for Ace and Bon Clay

Prepare to set sail, Straw Hat fans! Netflix's live-action One Piece series is already making waves for its third season, bringing aboard two incredibly beloved and pivotal characters: Portgas D. Ace and Bon Clay. This early casting news has sent ripples of excitement across the Grand Line, confirming that the adventure is only getting bigger and better.

TL;DR: The Latest One Piece Live-Action Scoop

• Xolo Maridueña (Cobra Kai, Blue Beetle) is officially cast as the fiery Portgas D. Ace for One Piece Season 3.
• Tony Award-winning star Cole Escola (Oh, Mary!) will portray the theatrical assassin Bon Clay in Season 3.
• Season 3 is expected to dive deep into the fan-favorite Alabasta Saga, hinting at a more focused narrative pace.
• Don't forget, Season 2, titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line, premieres first on March 10, 2026, on Netflix.

Setting Sail with New Stars: Xolo Maridueña Joins as the Charismatic Portgas D. Ace

Imagine the excitement when a character as iconic as Portgas D. Ace, Monkey D. Luffy’s adopted older brother, gets his live-action counterpart. Well, the wait is over! Netflix officially announced on November 5, 2025, that Xolo Maridueña will embody the "Fire Fist" himself. This casting comes with serious fan approval, and it's easy to see why. Source: [Netflix Tudum, "ONE PIECE Recruits Xolo Maridueña for Season 3," Nov. 5, 2025].

Maridueña is no stranger to high-stakes action or fan-favorite roles. He cemented his place in many hearts as Miguel Diaz across all six seasons of Netflix's hit Cobra Kai. More recently, he made history as the first Latino superhero in a live-action DC film, starring as the lead in Blue Beetle. His charisma and proven ability to handle both dramatic depth and thrilling fight choreography make him a perfect fit for Ace, a character known for his strength, loyalty, and, of course, his fiery abilities thanks to the Flame-Flame fruit (Mera Mera no Mi).

The resemblance didn't go unnoticed, even by the Straw Hats themselves. Emily Rudd, who brilliantly plays Nami in the series, playfully tweeted, "am i crazy or does this dude look kinda related to iñaki," referring to Iñaki Godoy, the actor behind Luffy. This natural, brotherly look between Maridueña and Godoy is a fantastic bonus, instantly selling their on-screen dynamic even before filming begins. Source: [FandomWire, "Is Xolo Maridueña Related to Iñaki Godoy? Emily Rudd Is Confused After Ace’s Casting in Opla," Nov. 6, 2025].

The Theatrical Assassin Arrives: Cole Escola as the Dazzling Bon Clay

Just days before the Ace announcement, Netflix delivered another thrilling casting bombshell: Cole Escola will play Bon Clay, also known as Mr. 2. Escola, a Tony Award-winning performer, brings a unique blend of comedic timing and theatricality that promises to capture Bon Clay’s flamboyant, yet fiercely loyal, personality. Source: [Variety, "‘One Piece’ Season 3 Adds Cole Escola as Bon Clay," Nov. 3, 2025].

Bon Clay is more than just a villain-turned-ally; they are a master of performance whose combat becomes an art form. Escola's background, including their acclaimed Broadway role as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!, and their work on shows like Search Party and At Home With Amy Sedaris, perfectly aligns with the character's "camp, chaos, and heart," as one source eloquently put it. This casting is a stroke of genius, promising a dazzling and memorable portrayal.

Season 3's Crucial Storytelling Shift: A Deep Dive into the Alabasta Saga

With these major castings, a significant strategic shift for One Piece Season 3 is coming into focus. Both Ace and Bon Clay are integral to the beloved Alabasta Saga. This has led to strong speculation that Season 3 will dedicate itself primarily to this single, epic storyline. Source: [Polygon, "One Piece Season 3 Is Making A Small But Crucial Change," Nov. 5, 2025].

The first season expertly covered the East Blue Saga, encompassing about 45 anime episodes. Season 2, Into the Grand Line, is set to tackle Loguetown through Drum Island, another roughly 45 episodes. The Alabasta arc itself spans about 38 anime episodes. By focusing a full season on Alabasta, the showrunners, Joe Tracz and Ian Stokes, can provide a more thorough, unhurried adaptation. This is a crucial decision, allowing for deeper character development and a richer exploration of the story's emotional beats, rather than rushing through multiple complex arcs.

Why This Pacing Change for Season 3 is a Game-Changer

Adapting Eiichiro Oda’s sprawling manga, with its thousands of characters and over a thousand anime episodes, is no small feat. The live-action series walks a tightrope, aiming to satisfy existing fans while drawing in new ones. Rushing through storylines, while necessary at times, can leave certain elements feeling underdeveloped.

The decision to potentially dedicate an entire season to Alabasta signals Netflix's confidence in the series and a commitment to quality storytelling. This arc is a fan favorite for good reason, introducing pivotal characters like Crocodile (reportedly played by Joe Manganiello) and Nico Robin (Lera Abova), and featuring high-stakes battles, profound emotional moments, and significant world-building. Giving it ample screen time is a smart trade-off, prioritizing depth over sheer volume.

Example: Imagine a new viewer, perhaps someone who has only seen the live-action, experiencing the emotional weight of a climactic Alabasta confrontation. If the series had crammed it into a season covering several other arcs, the impact might be diluted. But with a full season's build-up, every punch, every reveal, every tear will land with the full force that manga and anime fans know and love. This intentional slowing of the pace allows for that crucial resonance.

Counterpoints and Challenges in Adapting a Beloved Saga

Of course, this approach isn't without its challenges. The primary limitation is the increased wait time between seasons. With Season 2 arriving in March 2026 and Season 3 projected for 2027, fans might feel the stretch. However, this extended production cycle often translates to higher quality and a more polished final product, which most dedicated fans would agree is worth the wait.

Another counterpoint could be the sheer volume of other beloved arcs that fans are eager to see. While focusing on Alabasta is excellent, it means other fan-favorite storylines like Skypiea will be even further down the line. The creative team has the daunting task of selecting which elements to emphasize and which to streamline, ensuring the core spirit of Oda's work remains intact.

A Look Ahead: What We Know About One Piece: Into the Grand Line (Season 2)

Before we dive into Alabasta, the Straw Hats have an entire new journey to embark on! One Piece: Into the Grand Line (Season 2) is slated to premiere on March 10, 2026. This season will see Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji sail into the legendary Grand Line, encountering "bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies." Source: [Netflix Tudum, "ONE PIECE Sets Sail for Season 2 in 2026," Oct. 28, 2025].

New characters making their live-action debut in Season 2 include the adorable reindeer-boy hybrid Tony Tony Chopper (voiced by Mikaela Hoover) and the mysterious Miss Wednesday (Charithra Chandran). Production for Season 3 is set to kick off later this year in Cape Town, South Africa, ensuring the grand scale and visual fidelity fans expect from this ambitious adaptation.

Practical Takeaways for Every One Piece Fan

• Mark Your Calendars for Season 2: The next adventure, One Piece: Into the Grand Line, arrives on Netflix on March 10, 2026. Get ready for new locations and new crew members like Chopper!
• Get Hyped for Season 3's Core Story: Xolo Maridueña as Ace and Cole Escola as Bon Clay confirm a major focus on the pivotal Alabasta Saga, promising a deep, engaging adaptation of this fan-favorite arc.
• Anticipate Stellar Performances: Both Xolo and Cole come with impressive resumes and a proven ability to capture complex, charismatic characters, making them ideal choices for their respective roles.
• Patience is a Virtue: While the wait between seasons can feel long, the early casting and strategic pacing for Season 3 indicate a commitment to quality that should pay off for viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions About One Piece Live-Action Season 2 & 3

When does One Piece Season 2 premiere? One Piece: Into the Grand Line (Season 2) is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on March 10, 2026. Who are Xolo Maridueña and Cole Escola playing in Season 3? Xolo Maridueña will portray Portgas D. Ace, and Cole Escola will play Bon Clay (Mr. 2) in One Piece Season 3. Where is One Piece Season 3 being filmed? Season 3 of the live-action series is set to go back into production later this year in Cape Town, South Africa. Are Xolo Maridueña and Iñaki Godoy (Luffy) related in real life? No, despite some fan speculation and their striking on-screen resemblance, Xolo Maridueña and Iñaki Godoy are not related. Actress Emily Rudd playfully highlighted their similar looks on social media. Sources

• Netflix Tudum: ONE PIECE Recruits Xolo Maridueña for Season 3 (Nov. 5, 2025)
• Netflix Tudum: ONE PIECE Sets Sail for Season 2 in 2026 (Oct. 28, 2025)
• Variety: ‘One Piece’ Season 3 Adds Cole Escola as Bon Clay (Nov. 3, 2025)
• Polygon: One Piece Season 3 Is Making A Small But Crucial Change (Nov. 5, 2025)
• FandomWire: Is Xolo Maridueña Related to Iñaki Godoy? Emily Rudd Is Confused After Ace’s Casting in Opla (Nov. 6, 2025)
• Deadline: Xolo Maridueña Cast As Portgas D. Ace In Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Season 3 (Nov. 5, 2025)