Netflix Selects Perfect Performer for Bentham in One Piece Season 3

Baroque Works is geared up to make a major impact in the next installment of Netflix’s show of One Piece, even if the real showdown isn’t set to occur until season 3, and a beloved, fan-favorite member has just been cast.

Netflix announced this week that Cole Escola has joined the One Piece season 3 cast and will embody Bon Clay. This character possesses the power to change into an exact copy of any person they’ve made contact with with their main hand. The performer, who is gender non-conforming and prefers they/them pronouns, will portray a version of that character re-envisioned as gender non-binary, instead of as a drag queen, in the live-action series, differing from the initial comic and anime.

Escola is joined by multiple recently announced actors who will portray the group to reality, such as head Mr. 0, played by the seasoned performer, a talented actress as another operative, and a familiar face, who also joins the lineup as the monarch of the desert kingdom.

Though the role is a important part of the organization, the persona won’t make their debut One Piece the third season. Given the second season expected to adapt the Little Garden arc, this represents a notable change in the schedule of their first appearance, one that could indicate further changes to the narrative framework.

The actor’s combination of sharp comedic timing and profound feeling makes them a ideal selection for the role. In addition to their recent voice performance in the youth-focused cartoon movie Boys Go to Jupiter, they earned widespread acclaim and numerous honors for writing and starring in the popular theatrical show Oh Mary!, showcasing the versatility they’ll bring to one of One Piece’s widely praised roles.

The streaming service’s real-life One Piece program is set to return for its second season on March 10th, 2026.