Meet the cast of Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 on Netflix

Following the conclusion of season 5, which saw the Valley in a state of peace, tensions soon rise in the new season as both Lawrence and LaRusso face tough challenges.

LaRusso faces serious questions about his late mentor Mr Miyagi, while Lawrence is about to become the father figure once again – and is determined not to make the same mistakes he has done previously.

Cobra Kai also has proven a launchpad for promising young talent, with Blue Beetle star Xolo Maridueña and social media phenomenon Peyton List among the biggest breakout stars.

Read on to find out more about the characters and actors in Cobra Kai season 6 part 1.

Cobra Kai season 6 cast

The full cast list for Cobra Kai season 6 is as follows but scroll on to find out more about the characters and where you've seen the actors before.

• Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
• William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
• Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso
• Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz
• Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene
• Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso
• Peyton List as Tory Nichols
• Jacob Bertrand as Eli 'Hawk' Moskowitz
• Gianni DeCenzo as Demetri Alexopoulos
• Dallas Dupree Young as Kenny Payne
• Vanessa Rubio as Carmen Diaz
• Martin Kove as John Kreese
• Yuji Okumoto as Chozen Toguchi
• Alicia Hannah-Kim as Kim Da-Eun
• Griffin Santopietro as Anthony LaRusso
• Oona O’Brien as Devon Lee

Read on for everything you need to know about the actors and who they're playing.

Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso

Who is Daniel LaRusso? The main protagonist of The Karate Kid film franchise, at the start of Cobra Kai Daniel LaRusso reignited his rivalry with Johnny Lawrence. However, by season 6, they have brokered a fragile peace to oppose the menacing antics of John Kreese and Terry Silver – villains from the original Karate Kid films. In season 6 part 1, they are attempting to merge their contrasting styles of training to prepare the students for an international tournament called the Sekai Taikai.

Macchio previously teased an important storyline coming up for LaRusso in season 6, opening up about his character's 'struggle' as Mr Miyagi's secret past emerges.

Where have I seen Ralph Macchio before? Macchio is best known for starring as Daniel LaRusso in the first three Karate Kid films, but has also appeared in shows including The Deuce and Ugly Betty, and films including My Cousin Vinny and Hitchcock.

William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence

Who is Johnny Lawrence? Daniel LaRusso's longtime rival, Johnny resurrected the Cobra Kai dojo and kick-started the events that led to the youth of San Fernando Valley becoming karate obsessives. However, he and LaRusso have since reconciled to stop John Kreese and Terry Silver from corrupting the minds of the local kids and teenagers.

In his personal life, Johnny has taken some big steps – becoming a father figure to neighbour Miguel, striking up a romance with the boy's mother Carmen, and repairing his relationship with his biological son Robby. However, he still has a lot to learn.

"[His bad habits are] innate to his character – it’s his stripes," said William Zabka in an interview with RadioTimes.com. "He's unapologetically himself, but he's falling forward, he's trying to do his best. He's got his heart on his sleeve. A lot of times, he comes up against things where he's misunderstood… and he has certain reactions. But he's restraining himself and he's trying to grow and evolve."

Where have I seen William Zabka before? Zabka is best known for plays Johnny in 1984's The Karate Kid and sequel The Karate Kid Part II. However, he has since gone on to become an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and have appearances in shows including How I Met Your Mother and The Equaliser.

Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz

Who is Miguel Diaz? Miguel is Johnny's neighbour, who became his first student and eventually a surrogate son, helping him to re-establish the Cobra Kai dojo. He has a rivalry with Robby Keene – Johnny's biological son – who previously inflicted a major spinal injury on him during a dramatic school brawl.

Fortunately, he recovered from the injury after much rehabilitation, which included learning how to walk again, and is now back to working on the karate he loves. Another key concern for Miguel in season 6 part 1 is getting into college, as he's eager to get into a prestigious institution (while his parents are worried about the tuition fees).

Where have I seen Xolo Maridueña before? Maridueña is best known for starring in DC Comics blockbuster Blue Beetle, where he played underdog superhero Jaime Reyes. Previously, he has appeared in NBC comedy-drama Parenthood, Victor and Valentino and Cleopatra in Space.

Tanner Buchanan as Robby Keene

Who is Robby Keene? Robby is Johnny Lawrence's son, who first became a student of Daniel LaRusso in order to spite his father, but unexpectedly developed a genuine love for karate. However, after his rivalry with Miguel led to a brutal fight that landed him in a juvenile detention centre, he entered his villain era under the tutelage of the merciless John Kreese. Fortunately, he eventually saw the light, reconciling with both Johnny and Miguel to become a top student of the peaceful Miyagi-Do.

After briefly getting caught in a love triangle with Miguel and Samantha LaRusso, Robby is now in an on-again, off-again relationship with bad girl Tory Nichols – but both are worried about their post-school future, due to the chequered pasts they carry with them.

Where have I seen Tanner Buchanan before? Outside of Cobra Kai, Buchanan has appeared in ABC's Designated Survivor, Nickelodeon series Game Shakers, The Goldbergs: 1990-Something and Fuller House. He also starred opposite Heartstopper's Sebastian Croft in Prime Video romcom How to Date Billy Walsh.

Yuji Okumoto as Chozen Toguchi

Who is Chozen Toguchi? Originating from The Karate Kid Part III, Chozen was once a fierce nemesis of Daniel LaRusso, but the duo patched up their differences during a recent encounter in Japan. Now, they are working together to pass on the teachings of Mr Miyagi to a new generation of karate students.

What else has Yuji Okumoto been in? Okumoto has appeared in various US programmes including The Mentalist, New Girl and Bones, while he also had a small role in Christopher Nolan's Inception.

Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso

Who is Samantha LaRusso? Samantha LaRusso is Daniel LaRusso's teenage daughter, who is currently dating Miguel. She is among Miyagi-Do's most gifted fighters and also a strong academic, with aspirations to attend a top university after graduating from high school.

Where have I seen Mary Mouser before? Mary Mouser is best known for playing Lacey Fleming in ABC's Body of Proof as well as Karen Grant in Scandal. She has also appeared in The Fosters, NCIS and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

Martin Kove as John Kreese

Who is John Kreese? Kreese is a key villain in Cobra Kai and the man who taught Johnny Lawrence everything he knows about karate. For that reason, the pair have a complex relationship, with Kreese clearly having a soft spot for his former student, while Johnny is haunted by the cruel treatment his sensei often subjected him to.

Kreese teamed up with old associate Terry Silver in a bid to take over the San Fernando Valley karate scene, but was outwitted by his fellow sensei and ended up in jail – framed for a near-death attack on an adult pupil. He broke out, however, faking his own death to do so, and embarked on a plan for revenge that will commence at the Sekai Taikai.

Where have I seen Martin Kove before? Outside of the Karate Kid series, Kove has appeared in Cagney & Lacey, The Goldbergs, Criminal Minds and films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Jacob Bertrand as Eli 'Hawk' Moskowitz

Who is Eli 'Hawk' Moskowitz? Eli, also known as Hawk, is a sensitive teenager who joined Cobra Kai after being bullied for a scar left by corrective surgery for his cleft lip. However, the power that karate gave him soon went to his head as he became one of the dojo's nastiest bullies – even breaking the arm of his former friend, Demetri (an assault that went curiously unpunished).

Shockingly, a deprogrammed Hawk has patched things up with Demetri and is generally in everyone's good books again. Without a doubt, he's one of the best fighters in the San Fernando Valley – having won the All Valley Championship on one occasion – but does he have what it takes to get to the Sekai Taikai?

Where have I seen Jacob Bertrand before? Bertrand is best known for his roles in Disney XD series Kirby Buckets, Disney movie The Swap, The Legend of Korra, Marvin Marvin and Parks and Recreation.

Peyton List as Tory Nichols

Who is Tory Nichols? Introduced in season 2, Tory joins Cobra Kai and begins dating Miguel after he breaks up with Samantha. However, their relationship crumbles as it's clear that Miguel's true affections lie with his first love. Tory ends up on a dark path after attacking Samantha with spiked knuckle dusters, which results in her expulsion from school. However, Amanda LaRusso assists in mending the relationship between the two girls, finding empathy for Tory after learning that her mother is seriously ill.

Where have I seen Peyton List before? List is best known for starring in Disney Channel series Jessie and spin-off Bunk'd. She has also appeared in films including 27 Dresses, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Hubie Halloween. Currently, she leads the cast of coming-of-age fantasy drama School Spirits on Paramount Plus.

Gianni Decenzo as Demetri Alexopoulos

Who is Demitri Alexopoulos? Demitri is a friend of Eli and Miguel, who started out as a socially awkward teen often targeted by bullies and lacking confidence as a result. He was the last of his friendship group to succumb to the karate craze sweeping San Fernando Valley, but found it worked wonders for his self-esteem. In a surprise twist, he's now dating reformed 'mean girl' Yasmine, formerly one of his high school tormenters.

Where have I seen Gianni Decenzo before? Aside from Cobra Kai, Decenzo has appeared in Coop and Cami Ask the World, 100 Things to Do Before High School and The Middle.

Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso

Who is Amanda LaRusso? Amanda is Daniel's wife and the mother of Samantha and Anthony. She is also the co-owner of the LaRusso Auto Group with Daniel. She is often her husband's voice of reason in his feuds.

Where have I seen Courtney Henggeler before? Henggeler is best known for appearing in series such as The Big Bang Theory, Mom, Jane the Virgin, Fuller House and Faking It.

Vanessa Rubio as Carmen Diaz

Who is Carmen Diaz? Carmen is Miguel's mother who is currently dating Johnny. She has faced much uncertainty about her son's karate over the course of the series – none more than when Miguel endured a devastating spinal injury – but ultimately sees that the martial art has helped him build confidence and grow as a person. Her friendship with Johnny gradually blossomed into romance, with the two now expecting a baby of their own.

Where have I seen Vanessa Rubio before? Outside of Cobra Kai, Rubio has also appeared in series such as Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Bonding and Master of None.

Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver

Who is Terry Silver? Terry is an associate of Kreese's from the military, who helped him establish the original Cobra Kai in the 1980s. Kreese calls on him for help with taking hold of the San Fernando Valley, but goes on to regret that decision when Silver frames him for assault to kick him out of the business. He goes on to make a plan to turn Cobra Kai into a global chain, filling young and impressionable minds with aggression and hate.

Fortunately, that scheme is foiled when Stingray, the student allegedly assaulted by Kreese, admits that Silver was actually responsible for his near-death beating. Video footage also emerges of Silver bribing a referee, which further discredits him in the eyes of his once admiring students.

Where have I seen Thomas Ian Griffith before? Griffith previously played Silver in The Karate Kid Part III, and has since gone to appear in xXx, Excessive Force, John Carpenter's Vampires and One Tree Hill.

Dallas Dupree Young as Kenny Payne

Who is Kenny Payne? When Kenny was introduced, he was a friendly, optimistic – albeit rather naive – young boy, who faced bullying from Anthony LaRusso for hobbies that were deemed "nerdy". This nasty treatment led him to the Cobra Kai dojo, where he quickly became corrupted and turned the tables on Anthony, becoming one of the town's most formidable bullies himself. He was a strong believer in the teaching of Terry Silver and is particularly affected when the sensei is discredited.

Where have I seen Dallas Dupree Young before? Young has appeared in small roles in series such as The Good Place and Shameless, more extensive roles in The Fosters and Cousins for Life, and also appeared in Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One.

Cobra Kai season 6 part 1 is streaming now on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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