Jamie Lee Curtis Explains Why She Isn’t in One Piece Season 2 as Dr. Kureha: Scheduling and Filming Location Were the Issue

The second season of Netflix’s live-action One Piece arrived on March 10, 2026, bringing new episodes and new characters to the screen. But one name fans expected to see in the credits was missing. Jamie Lee Curtis, the Academy Award-winning actress who publicly campaigned for the role of Dr. Kureha, did not appear in the season. Now she has explained exactly what happened.

For years, Curtis seemed like the perfect choice to play the eccentric doctor from Drum Island. She is a self-described superfan of the anime and manga. She even grilled an interviewer about the character back in 2022 after they gave her a Chopper stuffed toy. But when Season 2 finally arrived, the role went to Katey Sagal. Curtis recently sat down with ScreenRant at SXSW and cleared up the confusion once and for all.

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The Simple Reason Jamie Lee Curtis Could Not Join the Netflix Show

According to Curtis, the decision had nothing to do with creative differences or the production team choosing someone else. It came down to two simple factors: scheduling conflicts and the filming location.

Curtis explained that she was already committed to another project when One Piece Season 2 went into production. The live-action series films in South Africa, a location chosen for its diverse landscapes that can stand in for the many islands of the Grand Line. The timing of the shoot in South Africa overlapped with her other work, making it impossible for her to travel.

“I’m a legit fan, like a serious OG fan, with the American dubs back in the day. And the only reason I didn’t get to do it was because it was in South Africa and I was shooting something else, and I couldn’t go to South Africa.”

She made it clear that if circumstances had been different, she would have joined the cast without hesitation.

“If it had been Los Angeles or any place nearer, I would have absolutely been able to be in it.”

Curtis Praises Katey Sagal’s Performance as Dr. Kureha

Despite missing out on the chance to play the role herself, Jamie Lee Curtis has nothing but praise for the actress who stepped into Dr. Kureha’s shoes. Katey Sagal, known for her roles in Sons of Anarchy and Futurama, took on the part.

Curtis called Sagal a close friend and expressed her happiness with the casting. She also shared her genuine appreciation for the final product.

“But I’m so thrilled Katey did it and it is fantastic. It is just the greatest adaptation of an anime and a manga into live-action.”

In a lighter moment, Curtis also joked about the physical requirements of the role. She noted that Sagal performed the part without needing extensive prosthetics.

“And that was her own body, unlike if I had done it, which would have been a prosthetic body. I couldn’t have done that, I couldn’t have worn that kind of padding.”

What to Know About Dr. Kureha and One Piece Season 2

For those catching up on the series, Dr. Kureha is a crucial character in the Drum Island arc. She is a 139-year-old doctor who runs a medical practice high in the mountains. She becomes a mentor to Tony Tony Chopper, the talking reindeer who dreams of curing all diseases. The character is known for her loud personality, her unique fashion sense, and her catchphrase “Got it?!”

Season 2 of One Piece covers several major storylines from the manga, including Loguetown, Reverse Mountain, and Drum Island. The season introduces fans to Chopper (voiced by Mikaela Hoover), Nefertari Vivi (Charithra Chandran), and the Baroque Works agents, including Mr. 0 (Joe Manganiello) and Miss All Sunday (Lera Abova).

The season dropped all eight episodes on March 10, 2026, and has already earned a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Netflix moved quickly to renew the show for a third season, ensuring the Straw Hat Pirates’ journey will continue.

Fan Reaction to the Casting News

When Curtis first expressed interest in playing Dr. Kureha years ago, the internet quickly rallied behind the idea. Fans created artwork and flooded social media with support. The show’s writers even acknowledged the fan casting, with co-showrunner Matt Owens reportedly writing the role with Curtis in mind.

When it was confirmed last year that Curtis would not appear and Sagal would take over, some fans expressed disappointment. However, after the season’s release, many have warmed up to Sagal’s take on the character. Reviews praise her performance as a highlight of the new episodes.

One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda has also been closely involved with the live-action production. He visited the set in South Africa and met with the cast, later stating that the actors chosen were “the perfect choice” for their roles. Oda’s blessing carries significant weight with the fanbase.

The Future of One Piece on Netflix

With Season 2 now streaming globally, attention has already turned to the future. The third season is officially in development, though Netflix has not announced which manga arcs it will cover. Given the pacing of the show, many expect it to adapt the Alabasta saga, which would see the Straw Hats face off against the criminal organization Baroque Works in the desert kingdom.

As for Jamie Lee Curtis, she remains a supporter of the series from afar. While she missed her chance to play Dr. Kureha, the door is not completely closed for future seasons. The world of One Piece is vast, filled with hundreds of unique characters. If another role catches her eye, and the schedule aligns, fans might still see the Oscar winner join the Grand Line adventure someday.

For now, viewers can watch Katey Sagal bring Dr. Kureha to life in One Piece Season 2, available exclusively on Netflix in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and everywhere the streamer operates.

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