Xolo Maridueña, widely known for his roles in Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle, has been officially cast as Portgas D. Ace in the upcoming third season of Netflix’s live-action One Piece. This confirmation ends months of fan speculation and adds a major character from the beloved manga to the series. Production for the new season is scheduled to begin in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2025.
Who Is Portgas D. Ace?
Portgas D. Ace is a pivotal and beloved character in the One Piece storyline. He is the sworn older brother of the series’ main protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, played by Iñaki Godoy. Ace is the biological son of the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, but was raised by Luffy’s grandfather, Monkey D. Garp.
In the manga and anime, Ace is the captain of the Spade Pirates before being recruited into the powerful Whitebeard Pirates, where he commands the 2nd division. He is a powerful pirate, nicknamed “Fire Fist” Ace due to his Devil Fruit power that allows him to control and transform into fire. His complex relationship with Luffy and his own quest for identity form a crucial and emotional part of the overall narrative.
The Long-Running Casting Rumor
The rumor of Maridueña’s casting has been circulating for months. Fuel was added to the fire when Netflix released a behind-the-scenes video featuring Maridueña and Iñaki Godoy training together. Fans immediately began speculating online that he was perfect for the role of Ace.
The speculation grew so intense that Netflix itself liked some of these fan comments, further hinting at the possibility. When initially asked about the rumors, Maridueña played coy, even suggesting that Netflix was encouraging the speculation without having officially offered him the part. His stance later shifted to a more neutral tone, simply expressing a desire to work with his friend Godoy. The official announcement from Netflix finally confirms what many fans had already suspected.
When to Expect One Piece Season 3
While the casting is confirmed, fans will need to be patient. Season 2 of One Piece, titled Into the Grand Line, is set to premiere on March 10, 2026.
Production for Season 3 is set to begin on November 24, 2025, and is expected to run until June 2026. This extensive filming schedule means a 2027 release window is most likely for the new season.
The third season is expected to continue adapting the Arabasta Saga and potentially launch into the Sky Island saga, introducing more fantastical elements and locations to the live-action world.
A New Crew Member for a Growing Cast
Maridueña is not the only new face joining the crew for the next voyage. He will be joined by Cole Escola, the Tony Award-winning star of Oh, Mary!, who has been cast in the role of the theatrical assassin Bon Clay.
The core Straw Hat crew will return, with Iñaki Godoy as Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji.
With this casting, Netflix demonstrates its continued strong commitment to expanding its live-action One Piece universe, bringing some of the most important and fan-requested characters to life.
Also Read: One Piece Live-Action Season 2 Arrives in March 2026 with First Look at Icy Drum Island
