Rising action star Xolo Mariduena—known for his breakout roles in Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle—has been cast as the iconic Portgas D. Ace in season 3 of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the manga-turned-global hit, One Piece.
The role of Portgas D. Ace carries major weight: the character is the fiery brother of series lead Luffy and a pivotal figure in the original story’s emotional arc. With this casting, the show is signalling a deep dive into that next phase of the narrative—marking a bold step for the franchise as it expands its live-action footprint.
Mariduena’s casting comes ahead of filming for season 3, and though the second season of the series hasn’t premiered yet, Netflix appears to be moving aggressively into the next chapter.
With Mariduena’s martial-arts credentials and live-action action chops, fans and critics alike are already buzzing about how he’ll bring Ace’s explosive energy to life.