The Streaming Giant Chooses Spot-On Actor for Bentham in the Hit Series Season 3
The Secret Organization is poised to play a huge role in the next installment of Netflix’s show of One Piece, though the real showdown won’t unfold until the next season, and a adored, popular member has just been cast.
Netflix announced Tuesday that Cole Escola is now part of the One Piece season 3 cast and will play Bon Clay. This character has the ability to transform into an exact copy of anyone they’ve touched with their main hand. The performer, who is identifies as non-binary and prefers they/them pronouns, will portray a interpretation of that role reimagined as gender non-binary, instead of as a drag artist, in the live-action show, unlike the source material and cartoon version.
The new cast member will work alongside a number of recently announced actors tasked with bringing the organization to life, including chief Sir Crocodile, brought to life by the seasoned performer, an emerging star as another operative, and an accomplished actor, who also joins the cast as King Nefertari Cobra of the desert kingdom.
Though the role is a important part of the group, the character won’t appear until One Piece the upcoming installment. Considering the next season likely to portray the Little Garden arc, this signals a notable change in the placement of their first appearance, one that could signal further changes to the narrative framework.
The actor’s combination of excellent comedic sense and profound feeling makes them a standout choice for the character. Along with their latest vocal work in the youth-focused cartoon movie Boys Go to Jupiter, they earned widespread acclaim and numerous honors for writing and starring in the hit comedy play Oh Mary!, highlighting the adaptability they’ll add to one of One Piece’s widely praised characters.
Netflix's live-action One Piece series is scheduled to come back for its second season on March 10, 2026.
