Baroque Works is poised to play a major role in Netflix’s live-action One Piece, with the decisive clash reserved for season 3 — and a much-loved character has just been officially cast.
On Tuesday, Netflix confirmed that Cole Escola (Search Party, Big Mouth) will take on the role of Bon Clay — also known as Mr. 2 or Bentham. In the original manga and anime, Bon Clay can perfectly mimic anyone they touch with their right hand. Escola, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, will portray a reimagined, non-binary iteration of the character rather than presenting them strictly as a drag performer, per reporting from Deadline. Polygon, Netflix Tudum, and Deadline have more on the announcement.
COLE ESCOLA IN ONE PIECE SEASON 3 ALERT pic.twitter.com/Sqt8Y8loGf
— Netflix (@netflix) November 3, 2025
Escola joins several other additions who will bring Baroque Works to life, including Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0/Sir Crocodile, Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss Goldenweek, and Sendhil Ramamurthy as King Nefertari Cobra of Alabasta. Screen Rant has further casting details.
Although Bon Clay is a prominent Baroque Works figure, they won’t appear until season 3. With season 2 set to adapt the Little Garden arc, this shift alters the series’ pacing and suggests Netflix is reshaping the order of some story beats for the live-action adaptation.
Escola’s blend of sharp comedic instincts and dramatic sensitivity makes them a compelling fit for Bon Clay. Their recent voice work in the animated coming-of-age film Boys Go to Jupiter, plus the critical success and awards recognition for the comedy play Oh Mary!, underline the range they’ll bring to one of One Piece’s most memorable allies.
Netflix’s live-action One Piece is scheduled to return for its second season on March 10, 2026.
Source: Polygon
