Xolo Maridueña attends the red carpet promoting his film "Blue Beetle" in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo ... [+]
As the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai approaches its sixth and final season, actor Xolo Maridueña looks back on the show that has shaped his career and continues to pave the way for greater Latino representation in Hollywood.
Maridueña was just 16 when he began portraying Miguel Diaz, landing one of the show's main roles. He describes his journey on Cobra Kai as transformative not only for his character, but also for himself.
"I think now as a 23 year old, I'm able to bring things, experiences, emotions to a 17-year-old Miguel that maybe if I was 17 I wouldn't be able to."
Maridueña credits his time and his role on the show for his personal and professional growth.
"Getting to really find who this character is and live in these shoes for seven years has been one of the most comforting and warm experiences of my life," he says. "I think it has prepared me to lead with my heart first and work as hard as I can to make sure that other people will feel comfortable on set as well."
The actor also notes the significant character development Miguel has undergone, from an underdog to a champion, and finally to a more mature, self-aware individual.
"Miguel has changed tenfold. Since the first time we met him, there's a level of confidence and surety I think that Miguel is able to find after getting to go on this excursion to figure out his family roots. For me, that was really a big turning point."
Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz in an episode from season 5 of "Cobra Kai."
Cabra Kai has explored profound themes such as redemption and identity, with Miguel often at the heart of these narratives.
"Miguel is very wise, and getting to work through those hardships just like all of us are in our day-to-day life are really the character-building moments," says the actor.
Beyond Cobra Kai, Maridueña made a big career leap when he was cast as the superhero lead in Blue Beetle, marking a milestone for Latino representation in major franchises.
"Blue Beetle is so important because there wasn't really an example of a Blue Beetle when I was a kid, so to get to work on this project that not only has Latinos in front of the camera, but behind the camera...really has changed the whole game for me," he says. "I can't think of a more honoring experience for my culture and to really show that we do belong in this space that we've been left out for so long."
The young actor didn't see the opportunity as one that would lead to him becoming the face of the next big superhero.
"What I wanted was to show that our stories are enough."
He sees Blue Beetle as potentially ushering in a new era of diverse storytelling in the genre, crediting director Angel Manuel Soto and writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcoce for making the film a reality.
"I hope it's just the beginning for Blue Beetle."
As Cobra Kai wraps up its final season, Maridueña is cherishing the end of this career-defining role, along with the many memories and friendships he forged along the way.
Season 6 of Cobra Kai is split into three parts of five episodes each. The first will premiere July 18 and the second on November 15, 2024,* with the final installment dropping on Netflix in 2025.
* Updated to reflect that on July 17, Netflix announced the second part of Cobra Kai will be released two weeks earlier.
