One Piece Season 3: Xolo Maridueña & Cole Escola Join the Crew

Netflix's live-action One Piece is already lining up a stacked cast for Season 3, with two fan-favorite characters getting their live-action stars announced early!

TL;DR: Your Quick Takeaways on One Piece Season 3 Casting

• Xolo Maridueña (known from Blue Beetle and Cobra Kai) is officially cast as Portgas D. Ace for Season 3.
• Tony Award-winning performer Cole Escola (of Broadway's Oh Mary! fame) will be dazzling us as the theatrical Bon Clay in Season 3.
• While Season 2, titled Into the Grand Line, premieres on March 10, 2026, Season 3's production is set to begin later this year.

"Am I crazy or does this dude look kinda related to Iñaki?" That's the question Nami actress Emily Rudd hilariously posted on X recently, alongside a picture of newly announced One Piece cast member, Xolo Maridueña. While the answer is a definitive "no," fans quickly understood her confusion – the resemblance between the two talented young Latino actors is quite striking! (Source: FandomWire, "Is Xolo Maridueña Related to Iñaki Godoy? Emily Rudd Is Confused After Ace’s Casting in Opla," November 6, 2025).

This buzz around Maridueña isn't just about looks; he's set to bring a beloved, fiery character to life in Netflix's hit live-action One Piece series. And he's not alone – another fan-favorite, known for their flamboyant flair, has also found their perfect match in a Tony-winning performer.

The Flame-Wielding Fan Favorite: Portgas D. Ace Sails In

Yep, the star of Blue Beetle and Netflix's own Cobra Kai, Xolo Maridueña, is officially stepping into the boots of Portgas D. Ace for Season 3. Ace, often nicknamed "Fire Fist" Ace, is a major player in the One Piece world, known for his incredible fire-wielding abilities thanks to the Flame Flame fruit, or Mera Mera no Mi. (Source: Variety, "Xolo Maridueña Joins ‘One Piece’ Season 3 as Portgas D. Ace," November 5, 2025).

He's not just powerful; Ace is also Monkey D. Luffy's sworn older brother. Their deep bond is a huge part of the manga's emotional core, making Maridueña's casting a massive deal for fans who've been eager to see this character brought to life. Ace was previously the captain of the Spade Pirates and later a commander in the formidable Whitebeard Pirates. (Source: Forbes, "A DCU Star Just Got Cast In ‘One Piece’ Season 3 Ahead Of Season 2," November 5, 2025).

While we won't see Ace until Season 3, there's a strong possibility he might make a tantalizing appearance in a post-credits scene for Season 2. This would be consistent with his manga debut, which occurs around the end of the Drum Island arc. Imagine the hype if "Fire Fist" himself popped up before his main role in the next installment!

Bon Clay's Grand Entrance: A Tony Winner Takes the Stage

But Ace isn't the only major character making waves. Get ready for Cole Escola, the Tony Award-winning actor and playwright, to dazzle as the iconic Bon Clay (also known as Bentham or Mr. 2 Bon Kurei). Escola's casting was announced earlier in November 2025. (Source: Deadline, "Cole Escola Cast As Bon Clay In Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Season 3," November 3, 2025).

Bon Clay is a master of performance and precision, a theatrical assassin who transforms combat into an art form. This character is famous for their flamboyant ballet style and swan-inspired look. Escola, fresh off their success writing and starring in the hit Broadway play Oh Mary!, seems tailor-made for this role. They truly embody the camp, chaos, and surprising heart that fans love about Bon-chan.

What's particularly exciting is that Bon Clay will be envisioned as non-binary in the live-action series, reflecting Escola's own identity. Escola made history as the first out nonbinary person to win a Tony for acting in a play. Their advice to LGBTQ+ youth? "You're right. Everyone else is wrong." It's this kind of confidence and flair that will make Bon Clay truly pop on screen.

“You’re right. Everyone else is wrong.”

— Cole Escola, offering advice to LGBTQ+ youth after winning a Tony Award

Season 3's Focus: A Deeper Dive into the Alabasta Saga?

These early casting announcements for both Bon Clay and Ace point strongly to a major storyline for Season 3: the Alabasta Saga. Both characters are absolutely central to this arc in the original manga, marking pivotal moments for Luffy and the Straw Hats.

Season 1 covered about 45 anime episodes (the East Blue through Loguetown arcs), and Season 2 is set to cover another 45 (Loguetown through Drum Island). The Alabasta arc itself is around 38 anime episodes. This suggests Season 3 might dedicate itself entirely to this saga, rather than rushing through multiple arcs. (Source: Inverse, "One Piece Season 3 Is Making A Small But Crucial Change," November 5, 2025).

This could be a crucial shift for the series' pacing. Instead of quickly island-hopping and compressing storylines, dedicating a full season to Alabasta would allow for deeper character development and a more thorough exploration of this fan-favorite adventure. It's a trade-off: potentially fewer arcs covered overall, but hopefully richer and more impactful storytelling for the ones chosen.

Example: Imagine a fan, who has followed the One Piece manga for two decades, finally seeing the casting for Ace. They might have pictured dozens of actors over the years, debated with friends online, and built up an immense amount of anticipation. Now, with Xolo Maridueña, an actor they've loved in Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle, embodying that role, the excitement transforms from abstract hope into a concrete vision for the first time. It validates their long wait and makes the live-action world feel even more real.

Navigating the Future: When Can We Set Sail for More?

So, when can you actually watch all this pirate goodness unfold? Season 2, officially titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line, is slated to premiere on March 10, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. (Source: Anime Trending News, "Xolo Maridueña & Cole Escola Cast in 3rd Season of One Piece Live-Action Series," November 5, 2025).

Netflix showed major confidence in the series by giving Season 3 an early renewal way back in August 2025, even before Season 2 drops. Production for Season 3 is set to kick off "later this year" in Cape Town, South Africa. (Source: Deadline, "Cole Escola Cast As Bon Clay In Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Season 3," November 3, 2025). This early commitment is a strong indicator of the streamer's belief in the show's continued success.

While no official release date for Season 3 has been announced, based on the anticipated production timeline, it's reasonable to expect it might arrive sometime in 2027. Joe Tracz is serving as co-showrunner for Season 3, joined by Ian Stokes, taking the helm from Season 1's Matt Owens.

While the early casting for Season 3 is undoubtedly thrilling, it does highlight the extended wait times between seasons. Fans will have to be patient, as a potential 2027 release for Season 3 means a significant gap after Season 2's 2026 debut. This lengthy production schedule is a necessary reality for ambitious, large-scale shows like One Piece to maintain quality.

Additionally, while dedicating an entire season to one arc, like Alabasta, promises greater depth, it also means the live-action series will adapt fewer manga chapters per season. This approach could lead to a very long overall run for the show if it aims to cover the full One Piece saga, potentially testing viewer patience over many years.

Practical Takeaways for Aspiring Pirates

• Netflix is showing huge confidence in One Piece, already greenlighting and casting key roles for Season 3 before Season 2 even makes its debut.
• Get ready to meet live-action fan-favorites Portgas D. Ace (Xolo Maridueña) and Bon Clay (Cole Escola) as major players in Season 3.
• Mark your calendars: Season 2, One Piece: Into the Grand Line, drops on Netflix on March 10, 2026.
• Expect Season 3 to potentially dive deep into the Alabasta Saga, promising a rich and detailed adaptation of a beloved arc.

Frequently Asked Questions About One Piece Live-Action

When does One Piece Season 2 premiere on Netflix? Season 2, titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line, is scheduled to premiere on March 10, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. Will Season 3 also be available on Netflix? Yes, Season 3 will also be exclusively available on Netflix. Based on production timelines, an estimated release date is currently sometime in 2027. What is the expected rating for the One Piece live-action series? Season 1 was rated TV-14, and it's expected that subsequent seasons will maintain a similar rating, making it suitable for young teens and up. Where is One Piece Season 3 being filmed? Production for Season 3 is set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, the same location as previous seasons.

Sources

• Deadline: Cole Escola Cast As Bon Clay In Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ Season 3 (November 3, 2025)
• FandomWire: Is Xolo Maridueña Related to Iñaki Godoy? Emily Rudd Is Confused After Ace’s Casting in Opla (November 6, 2025)
• Variety: Xolo Maridueña Joins ‘One Piece’ Season 3 as Portgas D. Ace (November 5, 2025)
• Forbes: A DCU Star Just Got Cast In ‘One Piece’ Season 3 Ahead Of Season 2 (November 5, 2025)
• Inverse: One Piece Season 3 Is Making A Small But Crucial Change (November 5, 2025)
• Anime Trending News: Xolo Maridueña & Cole Escola Cast in 3rd Season of One Piece Live-Action Series (November 5, 2025)