Starring William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence, along with Ralph Macchio reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso, Cobra Kai incorporates heavy ’80s nostalgia but it never loses its modern focus.
As Johnny Lawrence, a down-and-out martial artist who was once the top student at Cobra Kai dojo before his life spiraled after a devastating tournament defeat, William Zabka reprises his most famous role as Johnny Lawrence from The Karate Kid to play the protagonist of Netflix’s Cobra Kai.
Additionally, William Zabka is recognized for his supporting turn as Chas Osbourne in the 80s comedy, Back to School.
In the role of Daniel LaRusso, a world-recognized karate champion who eventually settled down in the valley and opened his own successful auto-dealership before Johnny Lawrence’s reemergence compels him to teach Miyagi-Do Karate, Ralph Macchio was the protagonist of The Karate Kid movies and plays a secondary lead in Cobra Kai, where he also serves as a co-executive producer.
Additionally, the movie-television actor can be seen in Entourage, Law & Order, How I Met Your Mother, Kevin Can Wait, and The Outer Limits.
Her other notable TV credits include NCIS, House, Criminal Minds, Melissa & Joey, Bones, Jane the Virgin, Franklin & Bash, Working Class, Into the Dark, and Fuller House.
As Miguel Diaz, Johnny Lawrence’s bullied teenage neighbor who convinces the washed-up former karate champion to train him, Xolo Mariduena plays a determined young athlete in Netflix’s Cobra Kai.
In the role of Robby Keene, Johnny Lawrence’s estranged son who becomes one of Daniel LaRusso’s best students, Tanner Buchanan plays a primary part in Cobra Kai.
Outside of TV, Tanner Buchanan appeared in The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards, Chance, Sinister Seduction, Max Winslow and the House of Secrets, and Jake Squared.
Playing the part of Samantha LaRusso, Daniel and Amanda’s daughter, Mary Mouser is a conflicted character in Netflix’s Cobra Kai.
Furthermore, as a voice actress, Mouser is heard in Son of the Mask, The Hole, Delgo, Dragon Hunters, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, and Tarzan 2: The Legend Begins.
As Eli “Hawk” Moskowitz, a bullied kid who gains confidence through the Cobra Kai dojo, only to be corrupted by its ruthless “no mercy” mentality, Jacob Bertrand takes a dark turn in Netflix’s Cobra Kai.
Outside of TV, Jacob Bertrand appeared in The Gambler, Duress, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, Water For Elephants, The Smurfs, and Ready Player One.
In the role of John Kreese, an unhinged and vengeful sensei who returns to the valley when Johnny reopens Cobra Kai, Martin Kove played a vicious antagonist in The Karate Kid movies and this follow-up series.
His other notable TV credits include The Twilight Zone, Murder She Wrote, CHiPs, The Incredible Hulk, Criminal Minds, and The Goldbergs.
Playing the part of Demetri, a bullied young man who joins Miyagi Do Karate to stand up for himself, Gianni DeCenzo plays a hard-fighting young character in Netflix’s Cobra Kai.
As Tory Nichols, a troubled teen who joins Cobra Kai Dojo and quickly becomes more aggressive and vengeful throughout her intensive martial arts training, Peyton List plays a corrupted student in this Netflix series.
She also appeared in 27 Dresses, Confessions of a Shopaholic, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Something Borrowed, The Outcasts, Remember Me, and Spider-Man 2.
In the role of Carmen Diaz, Miguel’s mother and Johnny Lawrence’s love interest, Vanessa Rubio played a recurring role in the first three seasons of Cobra Kai.
This year, the actor provided supporting turns in Cruella, Silk Road, and Eat Wheaties! Next, he’ll be seen in Queenpins and Delia’s Gone.
On television, Paul Walter Hauser appeared in Reno 911!, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Night Shift, Key & Peele, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community, Kingdom, and Superstore.
His writing can also be found in The Playlist, Cut Print Film, We Got This Covered, The Young Folks, Slate and other outlets.