Netflix's One Piece Season 3 Casts Two Iconic Characters: Cole Escola as Bon Clay and Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace
Netflix's live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's beloved manga series continues to make waves with exciting casting announcements for Season 3. The streaming giant has confirmed two major additions to the cast: Tony Award winner Cole Escola will portray the flamboyant Bon Clay, while Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña will bring Luffy's iconic older brother Portgas D. Ace to life.
Cole Escola Brings Tony-Winning Talent to Bon Clay
The first major casting announcement for Season 3 introduces Cole Escola as Bon Clay, also known as Mr. 2 or Bentham. Escola, who recently won a Tony Award for their performance in the Broadway hit "Oh, Mary!", brings significant theatrical credentials to this colorful character. Bon Clay is one of Baroque Works' most memorable members, serving as a high-ranking agent alongside his partner in crime.
What makes this casting particularly noteworthy is the representation aspect. Both Cole Escola and their character are envisioned as nonbinary, making this a powerful choice that aligns with the source material's themes of identity and self-expression. Bon Clay's theatrical nature and flamboyant personality seem perfect for Escola's background in stage performance, suggesting viewers can expect a dynamic and authentic portrayal of this fan-favorite character.
The character's unique abilities, including their Mera Mera no Mi devil fruit powers that grant fire-based abilities, and their distinctive fighting style that incorporates ballet and dance moves, should provide Escola with plenty of opportunities to showcase their range as a performer.
Xolo Maridueña Takes on the Fire Fist Ace
Following closely behind, Netflix announced that Xolo Maridueña, best known for his roles in "Cobra Kai" and "Blue Beetle," will portray Portgas D. Ace, Luffy's beloved older brother. Ace holds a special place in the hearts of One Piece fans as one of the series' most tragic and beloved characters.
Maridueña brings considerable experience to this pivotal role, having proven his action credentials in both the "Cobra Kai" series and the DCU film "Blue Beetle." The transition to playing Ace, a character who wields the Mera Mera no Mi devil fruit and is known as "Fire Fist Ace," should be a natural fit for an actor comfortable with intense action sequences.
The casting is particularly significant because Ace's character arc represents one of the most emotionally impactful storylines in the One Piece universe. His relationship with Luffy, his complicated family history as the son of the legendary Pirate King Gol D. Roger, and his role as commander of the Whitebeard Pirates make him a cornerstone character for Season 3's narrative development.
Production Updates and Season 3 Outlook
These casting announcements come as One Piece Season 3 prepares to resume production later in 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. The series has been strategically building its cast ahead of production, with Season 2 still pending release and fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of Monkey Luffy's journey to become the Pirate King.
The inclusion of both Bon Clay and Portgas D. Ace suggests that Season 3 will delve deep into the Alabasta saga, where these characters play crucial roles. Bon Clay's involvement with the Baroque Works organization and Ace's connection to the larger pirate world should provide rich narrative material for the live-action adaptation.
Netflix's commitment to casting talented performers who can honor the source material while bringing their own interpretative skills to these iconic characters demonstrates the streaming platform's dedication to creating a faithful yet accessible adaptation of Oda's masterpiece.
A Promising Future for the Live-Action Adaptation
With these casting announcements, One Piece Season 3 appears poised to continue the series' successful transition from manga and anime to live-action television. The combination of Escola's theatrical expertise and Maridueña's action-oriented background creates an exciting dynamic that should resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.
As production gears up for what promises to be another ambitious season, these additions to the cast signal that Netflix is serious about exploring the deeper emotional and narrative complexities that make One Piece such a compelling story. Both Bon Clay and Ace bring unique perspectives to the larger narrative, and their inclusion suggests that Season 3 will explore themes of loyalty, identity, and family that are central to the series' appeal.
The anticipation continues to build as fans wait for more details about Season 3, but with casting choices this strong, it seems Netflix is committed to delivering a worthy adaptation of one of manga's greatest treasures.
