In a casting announcement that has the entire community talking, Netflix has revealed a major addition to its live-action One Piece saga. The critically acclaimed series is gearing up for its third season, and the first major casting reveal confirms a fan-favorite is on their way to the Grand Line.
- Dream Casting Confirmed: Tony Award winner Cole Escola has officially been cast as the fan-favorite character Bon Clay (also known as Mr. 2 Bon Kurei) for Season 3.
- A Theatrical Threat: Bon Clay is described as a “theatrical assassin who turns combat into art,” a flamboyant and dangerous operative who eventually becomes a key ally to Luffy.
- Major Season 3 Development: This is the first significant casting news for the third season, which is expected to adapt the highly anticipated Alabasta Arc from the original manga.
- Building on Success: The announcement comes as a testament to the show’s massive global success, which earned it an early Season 3 renewal even before Season 2’s 2026 premiere.
Tony Winner Cole Escola Steps into the Spotlight
Netflix has made a spectacular choice, casting Tony winner Cole Escola (Oh Mary!, At Home with Amy Sedaris) as a series regular for the pivotal role of Bon Clay. Known in the manga as Bentham or Mr. 2 Bon Kurei, the character is one of the most memorable figures from the Baroque Works saga. Envisioned as non-binary for the live-action adaptation, Bon Clay is a master of performance and disguise, blending deadly combat with dazzling theatricality.
Who is Bon Clay?
First introduced as a villainous officer agent for Baroque Works, Bon Clay quickly won over fans with their flamboyant personality, ballet-inspired fighting style, and unwavering loyalty. The character’s unique Devil Fruit ability allows them to perfectly mimic the appearance of anyone they touch, making them a formidable foe and a valuable, if unpredictable, ally. Their journey from antagonist to one of Luffy’s most devoted friends is one of the most beloved character arcs in the entire series, and fans have been eagerly awaiting their live-action debut.
A Perfect Fit for a Demanding Role
Escola’s background in theatre, particularly their recent Tony-winning performance in the hit Broadway play Oh Mary!, makes them an ideal choice to embody Bon Clay’s larger-than-life persona. Their proven talent for blending comedy, drama, and theatricality aligns perfectly with the character who is “as dangerous as they are dazzling.” This casting has been widely praised online, confirming what many fans had hoped for: an actor with the genuine performance chops to bring Bon Clay to life authentically.
What This Means for Season 3
With Escola’s casting, production for One Piece Season 3 is officially kicking into high gear, with filming set to return to Cape Town, South Africa. This announcement signals the show’s commitment to adapting the sprawling Alabasta Arc, a critical part of Monkey D. Luffy’s journey to become King of the Pirates.
The series, which stars Iñaki Godoy as Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji, became a global phenomenon upon its 2023 debut. It dominated Netflix’s Global Top 10 for eight weeks, hit the #1 spot in over 75 countries, and garnered nearly 100 million views, solidifying its status as one of the streamer’s biggest hits. While fans still have to wait for Season 2, titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line, which is slated for a March 10, 2026 release, the excitement for Season 3 is already building to a fever pitch.
Image Referance: https://deadline.com/2025/11/one-piece-cole-escola-bon-clay-1236604228/