At the 2026 SXSW festival, Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis spoke with ScreenRant about the massively popular Netflix series One Piece. Curtis, who has been a lifelong fan of the anime, called the live-action adaptation “the greatest adaptation of an anime and a manga into live-action.”
Curtis admitted that while she had considered playing the fan-favorite character Dr. Kureha, she ultimately could not participate due to scheduling conflicts.
“I didn’t get to do it because it was in South Africa, and I was shooting something else,” she explained. “If it had been Los Angeles or any place nearer, I would have absolutely been able to be in it. But I’m so thrilled Katey [Sagal] did it, and it is fantastic.”
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios
The actress praised her friend Katey Sagal, who plays the 141-year-old witch doctor, adding humorously, “That’s her stomach, whereas if it had been mine, it would have been a prosthetic. I could not have worn those pants.”
Netflix One Piece Season 2: Bigger, Bolder and Wackier
One Piece debuted in live-action on Netflix in 2023, adapting the beloved manga by Eiichiro Oda, which began in 1997. The story follows Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they journey to the Grand Line in search of the legendary treasure called the “One Piece.” Season 2, released March 10, 2026, expands the adventure with more fantastical islands, powerful foes and new allies.
According to ComicBook, creators intentionally leaned into the anime’s wilder elements this season. Oda explained that Season 1 grounded the story in humanity, while Season 2 introduces outlandish characters and events to prepare viewers for Luffy’s next challenges. Fans have responded enthusiastically, praising the balance between realism and fantasy.
The new season features returning stars Iñaki Godoy (Monkey D. Luffy), Emily Rudd (Nami), Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro), Jacob Romero Gibson (Usopp) and Taz Skylar (Sanji), along with new cast members such as Charithra Chandran (Miss Wednesday), Joe Manganiello (Mr. 0/Crocodile) and Mikaela Hoover (Tony Tony Chopper).
Jamie Lee Curtis: A Lifelong ‘One Piece’ Fan
Curtis shared that she has been a dedicated fan since watching the American dubs.
Co-star David Dastmalchian also confirmed her passion: “Jamie’s a legit fan, like a serious OG fan with the American dubs back in the day.”
The actress joked about her missed opportunity but expressed joy seeing her friend succeed in the role.
Curtis’ admiration for the show highlights the cultural significance of One Piece. The franchise has consistently been one of the most influential anime globally, with Netflix reporting over 500 million hours viewed across its live-action adaptation.
With Season 3 already in production, fans are eager to see how the Straw Hat Pirates continue their adventures. Curtis concluded her SXSW interview with excitement, saying, “It’s a One Piece world, baby.”
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