Netflix finally announced that Bridgerton star Charithra Chandran will join the live-action One Piece season two cast as Miss Wednesday, or Alabasta’s wayward princess Vivi Nefertani. Chandran joins actor Sendhil Ramamurthy, who plays Vivi’s father, Nefertari Cobra. Despite creator Eiichiro Oda publicizing season two not reaching the anime’s next major arc, Alabasta, Netflix’s recent casting announcements suggest the live-action series is continuing the first season’s timeline tweaks.
Her past is shrouded in secrecy but her skills as a Baroque Works agent are unmatched. Here’s your first look at the face of Miss Wednesday! #OnePieceLiveAction pic.twitter.com/bGxeb1mFP7
— ONE PIECE(ワンピース) Netflix (@onepiecenetflix) August 23, 2024
As mentioned earlier, Netflix’s casting of Miss Wednesday and Nefertani Cobra hint that the live-action adaptation will continue playing with timeline events, the way One Piece‘s first season did with Luffy’s grandfather, Admiral Garp (Vincent Regan). Garp isn’t introduced until later in the anime, but the Netflix series portrays him as a major player in the show’s first season. By introducing him way earlier, the live-action series hit two birds with one stone by showcasing Garp and Marine recruit Koby (Morgan Davies)’s relationship as the season’s emotional anchor. A relationship, mind you, that developed off-screen in the anime.
A similar scenario might be at play with One Piece season two, considering Nefertani Cobra isn’t introduced until after the Drum Island arc, where the season will conclude. Time will tell whether One Piece‘s second season, due in 2025, will see breadcrumbs of Vivi and Cobra’s relationship fleshed out like Garp and Koby’s was.
Based on the smash hit manga series, One Piece is described in Netflix’s official synopsis as follows: “Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, One Piece, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.”
This latest bit of One Piece news comes on the heels of Katey Segal’s casting as Dr. Kureha in season two, as well as Mark Harelik as Dr. Hiriluk. Variety also reminds us that Daniel Lasker, Camrus Johnson, Jazzara Jaslyn, David Dastmalchian, Werner Coetser, Brendan Murray, Clive Russell, Callum Kerr, Julia Rehwald, Rob Colletti, and Ty Keogh have also been added to the Netflix anime adaptation. The main cast includes Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, Taz Skylar as Sanji, Ilia Isorelys Paulino as Alvida, Jeff Ward as Buggy, and Michael Dorman as Gold Roger.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.