Xolo Maridueña and Cole Escola are ready to set sail in season 3 of Netflix’s ONE PIECE, the live-action adaptation. Maridueña joins the cast as the beloved Portgas D. Ace. As for Escola, the nonbinary actor will play Bon Clay, also known as Mr. 2.
Xolo Maridueña as Portgas D. Ace
Best known for his roles as Jaime Reyes/ Blue Beetle in Blue Beetle and Miguel Diaz in Cobra Kai, ONE PIECE fans fancasted Maridueña as Ace for months. With his similar appearance to Iñaki Godoy, who plays Monkey D. Luffy, Maridueña and Godoy definitely pass as brothers, making him perfect for the role.
As the foster brother to the main character Monkey D. Luffy and son of the late Pirate King Gol D. Roger, Portgas D. Ace is an essential character in One Piece. Known as “Fire Fist Ace,” Ace previously captained the Spade Pirates before his recruitment to the Whitebeard Pirates, where he became the 2nd division captain.
He earned his nickname, Fire Fist Ace, after he ate the Mera Mera no Mi Devil Fruit (Flame-Flame Fruit). The Mera Mera no Mi Devil Fruit gave Ace the power to create, control and transform into fire.
Cole Escola as Bon Clay
Most known for their roles in Baby Shark’s Big Show! and Big Mouth, Escola is an incredible actor, writer and playwright. Not only that, but Escola made history at the 78th Annual Tony Awards earlier this year as the first nonbinary actor to win a Tony Award. Escola won the Tony for Leading Actor in a Play for their role in “Oh, Mary!” They were also nominated for a Tony for Best Play for the same play.
Bentham of the Wild, or more infamously known as Mr. 2 Bon Clay, was a major antagonist in the Arabasta Arc, as well as a central character in Miss Goldenweek’s “Operation: Meet Baroque Works.” The previous Baroque Works officer agent, Mr. 2, turned from an enemy to a friend of Monkey D. Luffy.
Although we cannot wait for the third season of the series, we must first get through season 2. Season 2 of ONE PIECE streams on Netflix on March 10, 2026. Fans can also keep up with the anime One Piece on Crunchyroll, as the series currently adapts the Egghead Arc.
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