Netflix's acclaimed live-action adaptation of "One Piece" has made its first major casting announcement for Season 3, revealing that Broadway star Cole Escola will join the series as the fan-favorite villain, Bon Clay. Escola, known for their theatrical background, will portray the flamboyant and dangerous assassin, a character pivotal to the Arabasta Arc. This news comes as production for the third season is set to commence in Cape Town, South Africa, later this year, with Escola becoming a regular cast member.

Bon Clay is characterized as a master of performance and precision, blending dazzling theatricality with deadly combat skills. Tall, flamboyant, and adorned in swan-themed ballet attire, Bon Clay poses a significant challenge to Monkey D. Luffy during the Arabasta Arc, which is anticipated to be a central focus of Season 2. The character's journey in the original manga is notable for their evolution, eventually becoming a close ally and friend to Luffy and the Straw Hats, suggesting a potentially long-term role for Escola in the live-action series.

The casting announcement closely follows the revelation that "One Piece" Season 2, subtitled "Into the Grand Line," is scheduled to premiere on March 10. Season 2 promises to follow Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and the Straw Hats as they venture into the extraordinary Grand Line, a perilous and wondrous stretch of sea where they will encounter bizarre islands and formidable new enemies in their quest for the legendary fabled treasure, the One Piece, and Luffy's ambition to become the King of the Pirates.

Cole Escola brings a rich theatrical and television background to the role. They are the writer of the critically acclaimed play "Oh, Mary!," which opened on Broadway in 2024 and is still enjoying a successful run, having earned Escola a Tony Award for best actor in a play for their portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln. On screen, Escola is recognized for their role as Chip Wreck in Seasons 3 and 4 of "Search Party" on HBO Max. Their other television credits include TruTV’s "At Home With Amy Sedaris" (2017-2020) and Hulu’s "Difficult People" (2015-2017). Escola also contributed as a writer and appeared in multiple episodes of "Ziwe," which aired on Showtime from 2021 to 2022.

The "One Piece" live-action series is a collaborative production between Netflix and ITV’s Tomorrow Studios, in partnership with Shueisha, the publisher of the original manga. Joe Tracz and Ian Stokes serve as showrunners for Season 3, and executive produce alongside Eiichiro Oda, the manga series creator, as well as Tomorrow's Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements, Tetsu Fujimura, Chris Symes, Christoph Schrewe, and Steven Maeda. This latest casting decision further enriches a cast already celebrated for its diversity and accurate portrayal of the beloved characters.