Parting Shot

Xolo Maridueña

The Karate Kid saga continues on netflix’s Cobra Kai, starting its third season on January 4. The first two seasons started as Youtube Originals. For 19-year-old actor Xolo Maridueña, who plays Miguel, the show is successful because it “caters to both the fans of the original Karate Kid and anyone younger.” For this new season, Maridueña says “we’re gonna see some really tough times. I think it’s definitely going to get worse before it can get better” and that “we’ll see if Miguel survives getting kicked off of a balcony.” Besides “two years of karate training in like the first grade [laughs],” martial arts was new to the young actor. “There was nothing that could have prepared me for the amount of stretching and body contorting martial arts requires.” With season three shot before COVID-19, Maridueña is gearing up to shoot season four under a whole new set of rules. “We’ve been able to see how different sets are dealing with the pandemic, so hopefully, we can learn from their successes and their failures and make the shoot as safe as possible.”

Cobra Kai’s fourth season was renewed before the third season even premiered, which is so rare. Why is it so popular?

Our show initially got a big pull because we have the original cast of The Karate Kid, and they stay because they realize that the show is actually pretty good. It’s not just drama, there’s also romance and comedy.

WERE YOU A FAN OF THE ORIGINAL FILMS?

I wouldn’t say I knew of the original films and had seen them as a kid, but when I got the audition I was like, “Cobra Kai? This sounds familiar.” It wasn’t until I booked the projects that I sat down and watched.

You’ve been working in entertainment since you were a little kid. Of your past work, what STANDS OUT AS YOUR FIRST BIG BREAK?

Cobra Kai is, as a young adult, my biggest break, but before that it was probably Parenthood. Working with people who were so professional and so welcoming [on Parenthood] really made me realize this isn’t just a hobby.

How have you been holding up in general during all of this?

The first couple of months were probably some of the laziest of my life. A month ago, I started to get back into working out because we’re gearing up to start filming. It’s going to be a really rough month in terms of trying to get back into shape [laughs]. It’s going to be an interesting first couple of weeks on set for sure.

“Nothing could have prepared me for the amount of stretching martial arts requires.”