“It’s been real great”: Xolo Maridueña opens up about working on Cobra Kai

Cobra Kai season 6 part 3 arrived on Netflix on February 13, 2025, releasing the final five episodes of the hit martial arts drama. As the martial arts drama came to an end, the story of the titular dojo ended on a high note.

Meanwhile, the cast said emotional goodbyes to each other when they shot for the final episodes. Xolo Maridueña, who has earned praise for his role as Miguel Diaz, has now opened up about how he feels about working on the show.

The actor said the best part about Cobra Kai was that he got to work with legends like Ralph Macchio and William Zabka. He stated in an interview with Variety:

“It’s been real great to have them [Macchio and Zabka] as these tent poles for how to be in life.”

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Cobra Kai star Xolo Maridueña shares his experience working on the show

To mark the conclusion of Cobra Kai, Xolo Maridueña had an interview with Variety, and shared his experience working on the show. The actor said he feels honored to get the opportunity to act with Ralph Macchio and William Zabka and work with them till the end of the show:

“The biggest honor has been getting to work with these two and realize, kind of silently, that this is the end of this chapter for them as well.”

Maridueña plays Miguel Diaz, the first student of Johnny Lawrence, played by William Zabka. Interestingly, one of the episodes in Cobra Kai season 6 part 3 was directed by Zabka. Highlighting how he felt working with him on the last day of the shoot, Maridueña said:

“It was really cathartic and nice to be with him on my last day and get to hang out and hug him, and close this chapter with him. He was the one that I met before I even booked the job.”

Miguel Diaz is introduced in the first season and remains a main character throughout the show. He seeks karate training from his neighbor, Johnny Lawrence, after being bullied. This inspires Johnny to re-open the Cobra Kai dojo.

Over the years, Miguel continues to train and becomes one of the best pupils in the dojo. Cobra Kai serves as a sequel to The Karate Kid film series, and brings back memorable characters from the movies, while also introducing some new and fascinating people.

Apart from Macchio, Maridueña, and Zabka, the show also stars Courtney Henggeler, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Jacob Bertrand, Gianni DeCenzo, Peyton List, Martin Kove, Thomas Ian Griffith, Dallas Dupree Young, and Vanessa Rubio in the main roles.

Also, the show might have concluded, but the franchise continues as Karate Kid: Legends, starring Macchio with Jackie Chan, will be hitting the theaters on May 30, 2025.

All six seasons of the show are now available to stream on Netflix.