Cole Escola, known for his roles in productions such as Oh, Mary! and Big Mouth, is set to join the cast of the live-action adaptation of ONE PIECE for its third season. The production will resume in Cape Town, South Africa later this year, marking an exciting new chapter for fans of the series.
Escola will portray Bon Clay, a character celebrated for his artistry in combat and theatrical flair, embodying the duality of being both dangerous and dazzling. The casting announcement follows Escola’s recent triumph at the Tony Awards, where he won Best Actor in a Play for his role as Mary Todd Lincoln in his acclaimed Broadway production. Earlier this year, he was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, highlighting his impressive achievements in the theatrical world.
The early renewal of ONE PIECE for a third season was announced in August during the ONE PIECE Day festivities in Tokyo. Ian Stokes will join Joe Tracz as co-showrunner, writer, and executive producer, promising more adventures to come.
As for the upcoming season, ONE PIECE: Into Grand Line is slated to return for its second season on March 10, 2026. Fans can look forward to the Straw Hats visiting iconic new locations, including Loguetown, Reverse Mountain, the pirate-friendly Whiskey Peak, the lush lands of Little Garden, and the snowy Drum Island. This season continues the journey of Monkey D. Luffy, portrayed by Iñaki Godoy, alongside his crew members: swordsman Roronoa Zoro, cartographer Nami, storyteller Usopp, and chef Sanji, all striving to uncover the legendary One Piece treasure and fulfill Luffy’s dream of becoming the King of the Pirates.
The live-action adaptation of ONE PIECE is based on Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga and has been produced in collaboration with Shueisha by Tomorrow Studios and Netflix. Key executive producers include Oda, Marty Adelstein, and Becky Clements, among others, ensuring a faithful and high-quality representation of the source material. As the series evolves, fans are eager to see how these beloved characters and new challenges will unfold in the captivating world of pirates and adventure.