Netflix is gradually filling the roles for the upcoming One Piece Season 2. True to series creator Eiichiro Oda’s tease that there will be more cast member announcements in the coming days, the streamer has unveiled the actors who will play Dr. Kureha and Dr. Hiriluk. After rumors emerged that Katey Sagal might take on the role of the Drum Island doctor, she is now confirmed to portray Tony Tony Chopper’s mentor and adoptive mother, Kureha. Additionally, she will be joined by Mark Harelik as the quack doctor Hiriluk.
After Oda-san confirmed that Chopper would be part of One Piece Season 2, many started looking forward to who would play Dr. Kureha. Jamie Lee Curtis expressed her interest in the role, but her busy schedule prevented her from taking it on despite being approached. The veteran actress has a lot on her plate, including the production of Freaky Friday 2 with Lindsay Lohan.
According to Deadline, Curtis needed to stay a couple of months in South Africa, where the show is being filmed, and she couldn’t commit to it due to her schedule. However, executive producers Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements previously revealed that they had found an “amazing person” to replace Curtis. This role has now been filled by Sagal, whose exceptional acting talent is demonstrated by her extensive resume, including Married with Children, The Conners, Futurama, and Sons of Anarchy.
As for Harelik, the veteran star possesses incredible acting skills as a TV, film, and stage actor and playwright. He has been in the business since the 1980s and has played numerous roles, including in Jurassic Park III, The Big Bang Theory, Prison Break, and Star Trek: Voyager, among many others.
Who are Dr. Kureha and Dr. Hiriluk in One Piece?
Dr. Kureha and Dr. Hiriluk are major characters alongside Chopper in the Drum Island arc. Kureha is known as the island’s elderly doctor and is often called a “witch.” She took Chopper under her care after Hiriluk’s death. In addition to being a doctor, she is also the head of the Isshi-20, a group of the most skilled doctors on Drum Island. Kureha is one of the Straw Hat Pirates’ allies.
Alternatively, Hiriluk is a former thief who becomes Chopper’s father figure. Famous for being a quack doctor, he dies after drinking one of his own failed concoctions. He consumes this medicine after being unintentionally poisoned by Chopper. As part of Operation Doctor Hunt, Hiriluk is also about to be executed by the Drum Kingdom’s King Wapol.
In addition to Sagal and Harelik, Jazzara Jaslyn will join One Piece Season 2 as Miss Valentine, along with David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3, Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5, Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9, Brendan Murray as Brogy, Clive Russell as Crocus, Werner Coetser as Dorry, Ty Keogh as Dalton, Callum Kerr as Smoker, Julia Rehwald as Tashigi, and Rob Colletti as Wapol. Of course, the main cast will return to reprise their roles: Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji.
The new season will kick off by adapting the last arc of the East Blue Saga, Loguetown. It will then continue to adapt the Arabasta Saga, which includes the Reverse Mountain (Twin Cape), Whiskey Peak, Little Garden, and Drum Island arcs. The last arc of the second saga, Arabasta, is believed to be adapted when the show potentially returns for a third season.
Oda earlier teased that more cast members for One Piece Season 2 would be announced over three days (August 21–23). With the roles of Dr. Kureha and Dr. Hiriluk now revealed, the upcoming announcements will be about Vivi, Miss All Sunday, and, finally, Chopper.
All episodes of live-action One Piece Season 1 are available on Netflix.
