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Baroque Works is poised to play a huge role in the forthcoming season on Netflix of One Piece, though the real showdown won’t unfold until season 3, and a beloved, popular member has recently been selected.

The platform declared Tuesday that Cole Escola is now part of the One Piece season 3 cast and will play Bentham. This character has the ability to change into an perfect replica of any individual they’ve made contact with with their right hand. The actor, who is identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, will portray a version of that character reinterpreted as gender non-binary, rather than as a drag artist, in the live-action show, unlike the original manga and animated series.

Escola will work alongside several other recently announced actors who will portray the organization to the screen, featuring leader Sir Crocodile, portrayed by the well-known actor, an emerging star as another operative, and Sendhil Ramamurthy, who also joins the cast as the ruler of the fictional land.

Though this character is a important part of the group, the individual will be introduced in One Piece the upcoming installment. With the next season likely to portray the Little Garden arc, this represents a major departure in the schedule of their first appearance, one that could signal more adjustments to the story’s structure.

The actor’s combination of precise humor and profound feeling makes them a standout choice for the character. Along with their latest vocal work in the animated coming-of-age film Boys Go to Jupiter, they received high praise and multiple awards for penning and acting in the successful stage production Oh Mary!, emphasizing the range they’ll bring to one of One Piece’s highly regarded characters.

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