Netflix has confirmed that Xolo Maridueña will join the cast of One Piece Season 3 as Portgas D. Ace. Known for his breakout roles in Blue Beetle and Cobra Kai, Maridueña adds star power to the growing live-action adaptation. Production will begin later this year in Cape Town, South Africa.
The announcement follows the success of the live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s manga, which continues to attract both longtime fans and new viewers. Season 2, titled One Piece: Into the Grand Line, is set to premiere on March 10, 2026, exclusively on Netflix.
Maridueña joins Cole Escola, who was earlier announced to play Bon Clay. Additional cast members for Season 3 will be revealed soon.
The series is produced by Netflix and Tomorrow Studios, the same team behind the hit adaptation of Cowboy Bebop. Co-showrunners Joe Tracz and Ian Stokes lead the third season, with executive producers including Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Tetsu Fujimura, Chris Symes, Christoph Schrewe, and Steven Maeda.
Maridueña’s casting as Ace signals an exciting direction for the show. Ace, the older brother of Monkey D. Luffy, is a beloved character whose story plays a central role in the One Piece universe. His addition hints at a deeper dive into the emotional and action-driven arcs that defined the original manga and anime.
Fans can follow updates through the official One Piece Instagram page, where Netflix released the announcement asset.
