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Baroque Works is geared up to exert significant influence in the next installment of Netflix’s show of One Piece, even if the real showdown won’t unfold until the third season, and a cherished, fan-favorite member has now been chosen.

The streaming service revealed recently that Cole Escola has joined the One Piece cast for the third season and will play Bentham. The role can use their power to morph into an identical duplicate of anyone they’ve laid a hand on with their right hand. The actor, who is gender non-conforming and goes by they/them, will portray a version of that figure re-envisioned as gender non-binary, instead of as a drag performer, in the live-action show, differing from the initial comic and cartoon version.

The new cast member will work alongside a number of fresh additions who will portray the organization to the screen, including chief Sir Crocodile, played by the seasoned performer, a talented actress as another operative, and a familiar face, who will appear as the cast as King Nefertari Cobra of Alabasta.

Even though Bon Clay is a key figure of the group, the character won’t make their debut One Piece the upcoming installment. Given the second season likely to portray the Little Garden storyline, this marks a significant shift in the timing of the character’s debut, one that could signal further changes to the story’s structure.

Escola’s blend of excellent comedic sense and deep sensitivity makes them a ideal selection for the part. In addition to their current animated role in the animated feature Boys Go to Jupiter, they received high praise and multiple awards for creating and performing in the successful stage production Oh Mary!, emphasizing the range they’ll bring to one of One Piece’s most celebrated figures.

Netflix's live-action One Piece series is scheduled to come back for its next installment on March 10, 2026.